Cops Shot the Kid

Kanye West, Nas

About Cops Shot the Kid

"Cops Shot the Kid" is a song by American rapper Nas, featuring fellow rap artist Kanye West, from his eleventh studio album, Nasir (2018).


Year:
2018
2:48
128 
#4

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The cops used to come around in my neighborhood
"Alright, you kids, stop having so much fun, move along!"
Oh they'd arrest me, you know, especially at night
They had a curfew, niggers had to be home at 11, negros, 12
And you'd be trying to get home, doing your crew runs
And they'd always catch you out in front of a store or something
'Cause you'd be taking shortcuts, right
Cops, "Ree, put your hands up, black boy!"

The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot
The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot
The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot
The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot

I don't wanna hurt nobody
We just came here to party
See a few dames, exchange some names
I'm a top shotta, kid, stay in your lane
The cop shot the kid, same old scene
Pour out a little liquor, champagne for pain
Slap-boxin' in the street
Crack the hydrant in the heat
Cop cars on the creep
Doin' they round-ups, we just watch for the sweep
Yeah, it's hotter than July
It's the summer when niggas die
It's the summer when niggas ride
Together we be strong, but forever we divide
So y'all are blowin' my high
Type of shit that's killin' my vibe
White kids are brought in alive
Black kids get hit with like five
Get scared, you panic, you're goin' down
The disadvantages of the brown
How in the hell the parents gon' bury their own kids
Not the other way around?
Reminds me of Emmett Till
Let's remind 'em why Kap kneels

The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot
The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot
The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot
The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot
The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot
The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot
The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot
The cops shot the kid
I still hear him scream

Stay tuned up and down your timeline
This fake news, people is all lyin'
Money is bein' made when a mom cries
Won't be satisfied 'til we all die
Tell me, who do we call to report crime
If 9-1-1 doin' a driveby?
It's certain things I can't abide by
I ain't bein' extreme, this is my side
Talkin' big shit, ready to die
I know every story got two sides
Claimin' he paranoid by the black guy
Cop wanna make it home by night time
Just a good kid, he wasn't that guy
Had a little hit, he wasn't that high
Cop gon' claim that it was self-defense
Say he was ridin' dirty so the case rests

The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot (workin' nine-to-five)
The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot (tryna stay alive)
The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot (makin' ends meet)
The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot (shot him this week)
The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot
The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot
The cops shot the kid
The cops shot the kid, the cops shot
The cops shot the kid
I still hear him scream

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Nas

Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones ( /nɑːˈsɪər/; born September 14, 1973), better known mononymously as Nas ( /ˈnɑːz/), is an American rapper and actor. He is also the son of jazz musician Olu Dara. Nas has released eight consecutive platinum and multi-platinum albums since 1994, four of which topped the Billboard charts upon release and has sold over thirteen-million records in the United States alone. Nas was also part of the hip hop supergroup The Firm, which released one album under Dr. Dre's record label Aftermath. Aside from rapping, Nas is also an occasional actor and has appeared in feature films such as Hype Williams' directorial debut Belly, Ticker and In Too Deep and the television show Hawaii Five-0. more »

4 fans

Written by: Andrew Dawson, Che Smith, Kanye West, Nasir Jones, Richard Pryor, Ricky Walters

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist Background
"Cops Shot the Kid" is a hip-hop song by American rapper, Nas. Known for his reflective and provocative lyricism, Nas has been praised as one of the greatest rappers of all time.
Track Features
The song features Kanye West, another prominent figure in hip-hop culture. Both Nas and Kanye have collaborated multiple times across various projects.
Album of Origin
"Cops Shot the Kid" is a part of Nas's 2018 album "Nasir." The album was the rapper's eleventh studio album and his first release under Kanye West's label G.O.O.D. Music.
Sample Material
The song samples a line from Slick Rick's track "Children's Story," which was released in 1989. The line "The cops shot the kid" is looped throughout the song's duration as an integral component of the rhythm and message.
Theme and Message
The lyrics of "Cops Shot the Kid" deal with police brutality and the systemic racism faced by African-Americans. Nas and Kanye narrate the experiences and fears of a black youth growing up in America, providing a strong sociopolitical commentary.
Music Production
The song was produced by Kanye West himself, who was also responsible for producing the entirety of the "Nasir" album.
Critical Reaction
"Cops Shot the Kid" received significant acclaim from critics upon its release. It was praised for its potent social commentary and skillful sampling of Slick Rick's line.
Music Video
The music video for "Cops Shot the Kid" is a powerful depiction of the track's central theme. It features a young black boy running from two white police officers.
Recognition
Due to its powerful social commentary, "Cops Shot the Kid" was considered one of the standout tracks from the "Nasir" album. Numerous music publications ranked it among the best songs of 2018.
Live Performances
Nas has performed "Cops Shot the Kid" at various live events and concerts. The performances typically maintain the song's intense atmosphere, reflecting its powerful socio-political message.

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