Black Thought, Chuck D and Pharoahe Monch Attack Police Violence on Living Colour’s ‘Who Shot Ya?’ (Remix)

Funk-metal outfit Living Colour is prepping a new album and tour. Prior to their album, the group will release their MIXTAPE EP in September, which features remixes of their remake of Notorious B.I.G.’s classic banger, “Who Shot Ya?”

But the group is not just retreading the late rapper’s song, they are re-imagining it as a protest song against the ongoing police brutality against African-Americans. It's a sonic anthem of rebellion--and it's featuring lyrical shots by Sunz of Man's Prodigal Sunn, Black Thought, Chuck D, Pharoahe Monch and Kyle Mansa.

In a press release (via Pitchfork), Living Colour explain their reworking of Biggie's "Who Shot Ya?" It reads:

Our version of 'Who Shot Ya' was initially an organic outgrowth of pure fandom for the work of the brilliant Christopher Wallace. Corey would frequently sing the song during soundcheck, so we worked it up. But tragically Biggie’s question has taken on new and urgent significance over the last year.

The amount of people who die on a daily basis because of gun violence is unacceptable in a civilized society. The disproportionate use of deadly force in communities of color is equally unacceptable in a civilized society. It inspired the idea to reach out to some of the most provocative voices in hip-hop to invite them to add their words to the track. We all feel paralyzed as to how we can meaningfully effect change, but at the least we can keep our voices raised in solidarity and not let this plight fade into the background until it happens again."

Among the standout verses on the track include Black Thought's, where he spits, "Resistance will stop when I fire the shot / You cuffed, I give a f--- about innocence or not / Your parents or your wife, newborn son, your daughter / Slaughtered on brand new body-cam recorder / It’s old school, new tools, you should learn though / Or turn a blind eye just like Joe Paterno.”

Meanwhile, Monch shoots down the 2nd Amendment while name checking rappers who died from the bullet. "Who shot ya? / From Freaky Tah to Tupac to Chinx to Christopher / Isn't it obvious why I still strive?" he raps.

Check out Living Colour's blistering "Who Shot Ya?" Remix below.