Philly-born and New York-based rapper Chynna in part two of her interview with us weighed in on the impact of police brutality within black communities. She pointed out that not all police officers are problematic, though among those who are “looking for action” even wearing body cameras hasn’t made a difference.
Rogers believes that police brutality has long been an issue and one that is a product of a country that has never truly embraced the concept of equality. “We didn’t get here, we’ve been here,” said Chynna, “You can’t base a whole party of these type of things and expect not to breed in the future a race of Donald Trumps.”
As the Black Lives Matter movement relates to celebrities, Rogers thinks it’s good if people in a position of influence speak out, but she says people should realize they’re not necessarily going to say what people want to hear.
Reflecting on A$AP Rocky‘s controversial statements on Black Lives Matter that were recently brought forth from an interview conducted in 2015, Rogers thinks Rocky was probably taken out of context.
When asked about U.K. artist M.I.A. being removed as a headliner for Afropunk’s London festival, Rogers said she’s a fan of M.I.A., but said some of her comments on the Black Lives Matter movement were questionable.
Speaking on the constant converage in the media of images of violence perpetrated on black people, Rogers said it’s important to protect yourself so you don’t become desensitized and she recommended that people stay off social media and spend more time outside.
Brought into the A$AP crew circle and mentored in her early days as a rapper by A$AP Yams, Rogers commented on how she still hears him since his passing in 2015. She said she often hears him tell her, “Don’t let me me have passed in vain. Remember that I believed in you. It’s all about staying focused.”
Rogers added that while Yams was known for being playful and fun, he also had a serious and focused side. “There’s a reason that everyone respects him so much,” she noted.
