At a Chicago block party celebrating Chairman Fred Hampton Sr., Mama Akua Njeri enjoyed Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and told WHATS THE WORD she would love to see the Compton artist perform.
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THE WORD
WHATS THE WORD captured Mama Akua Njeri enjoying “Not Like Us” at a Chicago celebration honoring Chairman Fred Hampton Sr.
She told WTW that Kendrick Lamar is her favorite artist and that she would like to see him perform live.
She warned people against reaching out to Kendrick using her name without her knowledge.
Njeri is the mother of Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. She was pregnant and present when police killed Hampton Sr. during a raid on December 4, 1969.
A Chicago block party honoring Chairman Fred Hampton Sr. gave Mama Akua Njeri a chance to celebrate, dance and share an unexpected music wish.
In footage captured by WHATS THE WORD, Njeri is seen enjoying Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” She told WTW that the Compton rapper is her favorite artist and that she would love to see him perform live.
Watch WHATS THE WORD’s video of Mama Akua Njeri at the celebration here.
Njeri also made her boundaries clear. She said that if anyone reaches out to Kendrick using her name without her knowledge, she will call them out. Her hope of seeing him perform should not be taken as permission to speak on her behalf.
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The celebration honored the life of Fred Hampton Sr., the chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party. As the anniversary of his death approaches, the moment also offers an opportunity to remember the history Njeri lived through.
On December 4, 1969, Chicago police raided the apartment Hampton and Njeri shared on the city’s West Side. Hampton and fellow Black Panther Mark Clark were killed. Njeri, who was pregnant with their son, Fred Hampton Jr., was inside the apartment. The National Archives recounts Hampton’s organizing and the circumstances of the raid. The Chicago History Museum also documents his life and legacy.
At the block party, Njeri’s joy was part of that living legacy. And she had a simple answer when asked which artist she would like to see: Kendrick Lamar.
What Kendrick song would you want Mama Akua to hear live?
Sources
WHATS THE WORD footage and interview from the Fred Hampton birthday block party
