5 Songs For Martin Luther King Jr. Day

4. By The Time I Get To Arizona - Public Enemy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrFOb_f7ubw By The Time I Get To Arizona was Chuck D's response to Arizona Govenor Evan Mechan and his refusal to recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as an official state holiday. Arizona, along with several other US states refused to acknowledge the day for various different reasons and (then) Senator of Arizona John McCain is still widely criticized for his opposition to this very day. Not only the song but the video play a part in Chuck D and Public Enemy's scathing satire. From Public Enemy's Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black album, the brutal lyrics include references to killing Evan Mechan and politically and racially charged lyrics. "He try to keep it yesteryear, the good ol' days, the same ol' ways, that kept us dyin'" It continued hip-hop's momentum into creating social awareness as it became part of youth culture and black culture in the 90's and especially as MTV had begun showing Hip Hop and Rap videos. The maturity of some lyrics counteract with the frank and aggressive tone of others. Whether it could be argued some lyrics (and the video) were too far or not, but you can't argue with the conviction and passion of the song. Chick D's anger is inspired by King and the provocative, blasting hip-hop tune remains one of the best songs ever written about him.