Blk & Wht

Album: Mastermind (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Ross received backlash over the mention of Trayvon Martin on this song:

    "Forbes dot com, I'm the Teflon Don
    Too close to a nigga as a motherf---ing bomb
    Trayvon Martin, I'm never missing my target
    Bitch niggas hating, tell me it's what I'm parking."

    The alleged murder of 17-year-old African American Trayvon Martin received international coverage because of the delay in charging his mixed-race assailer, George Zimmerman and his subsequent acquittal.

    The second anniversary of Trayvon Martin's death was the day after Ross digitally released Mastermind via iTunes.. The lyrics finds the Maybach Music Group leader comparing his success in the music industry to the death of Martin, and the not guilty verdict of Zimmerman. Rozay sent a statement to Vibe magazine, clarifying the lyric, which reads:

    "It's so important that today, on the two-year anniversary of the death of Trayvon Martin, we never forget that tragedy. I'm never going to let the world forget that name. In my song 'Black and White' off Mastermind I say, 'Trayvon Martin, I'm never missing my target'. There I'm reminding people that if you're a black person or a person of any color for that matter in this country, you have to be accurate, whatever moves you make, stay accurate. Even when you're walking down the street, playing music from your car, you have to stay on point."

    "Black men are being killed and their killers [are] beating the trial. It hasn't been this much violence against black men since the '60s. I am Trayvon Martin, we're all Trayvon Martin. He was from South Florida. That could have been me or one of my homies. So, stay alert and never miss your target. Whatever that target may be. Getting out the hood, providing from your family. Stay sharp. Stay alive. Trayvon, Rest in Peace."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Eric Clapton

Eric ClaptonFact or Fiction

Did Eric Clapton really write "Cocaine" while on cocaine? This question and more in the Clapton edition of Fact or Fiction.

Name the Character in the Song

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.