A-side Erase Racism Released November 14, 1990 | B-side Wanted: Dead or Alive Recorded 1990 | |
Format 12-inch single, cassette single, CD single Genre Conscious hip hop, East coast hip hop, golden age hip hop | ||
"Erase Racism" is the second single from American hip hop duo Kool G Rap & DJ Polo's 1990 album Wanted: Dead or Alive, featuring Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie. Released as a single with "Wanted: Dead or Alive" as a B-side, it was later also featured on the compilation albums The Best of Cold Chillin' (2000) and Street Stories: The Best of Kool G Rap & DJ Polo (2013).
Contents
Background
Kool G Rap reunited with his fellow former Juice Crew members Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie to compose "Erase Racism" following the death of Yusef Hawkins, a 16-year-old African American who was shot to death by a group of Italian American youths in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York City in 1989. The song speaks out against racism and xenophobia in society in what Sputnikmusic called "a partially serious, and partially humorous manner".
Music video
The music video for "Erase Racism", Kool G Rap & DJ Polo's third, was directed by Fab Five Freddy and filmed in Jersey City, NJ, on 7th and 8th Streets, and at the Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery, and not actually in Bensonhurst, the neighbourhood where Yusef Hawkins was killed.
Samples
"Erase Racism" samples the following songs:
And was later sampled on:
12"
- "Erase Racism" (4:30)
- "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (Remix) (4:04)
- "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (Dub) (4:04)
- "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (Instrumental) (4:04)
Cassette
- "Erase Racism" (4:30)
- "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (Remix) (4:04)
CD
- "Erase Racism" (4:30)