Tee Grizzley, Mr. Officer | Track Review 🎵

Tee Grizzley, Queen Naija & Detroit Youth Choir express their emotions + frustrations with police brutality & racial issues plaguing America.

“Mr. Officer, Mr. Officer / Y’all are killin’ us, Mister Officer…” It only takes a few seconds into “Mr. Officer” to see where rapper Tee Grizzley is going with the record. “Mr. Officer” is one of numerous musical reactions and responses to the racial turbulence that has come to head in 2020.  Racial inequality, racial injustice, and policing issues have been around for a long, long time, but numerous 2020 incidents – particularly the murder of George Floyd – served as the catalyst for a movement.  Grizzley, assisted by Queen Naija and the members of Detroit Youth Choir, express their emotions and frustrations with the racial issues plaguing America.

The chorus is performed by all three artists in some capacity, throughout the song. Melodically, of course, it lies in the hands of Queen Naija and Detroit Youth Choir.  It continues from the aforementioned excerpt, pulling at the emotional heartstrings, with a black gospel vibe:

“What if that was my brother?
What if that was my dad?
What if that was my uncle?
What if that was all I had?”

Tee Grizzley natural raps both verses.  He is heartfelt and honest about how he feels about the situation, with moments like “I see the police and it fuck with my nerves” or perhaps more powerful, “He can’t breathe and you still chokin’ him, man, why would he lie / Your knee in his neck, you ain’t gotta do all that…” Grizzley is definitely on-point in both of those first verse lyrical gems.  Perhaps I’m a bit less thrilled about a lyric like, “They brought us here against our will, now they ain’t happy with us / That’s crazy,” given it’s a bit counterproductive.  Still, as a black man, I totally get the sentiment.   I appreciate the passion that Grizzley brings, even if I sometimes the flow feels a smidge off-beat – nitpicking.  What’s most important is what he preaches in his rhymes – Amen!

Final Thoughts 

All in all, “Mr. Officer” is another protest song where black artists continue to use their platforms to express their feelings and continue to propel the movement forward.  Tee Grizzley makes some great points, while also being raw with his feelings.  Queen Naija and Detroit Youth Choir definitely provide some power with their soulful vocals and a simple but highly effective chorus.  There are more potent protest songs I’ve heard in 2020, but don’t get it twisted, “Mr. Officer” definitely needs to be heard and bigger picture, changes must happen – we can’t go on like this.  Black lives, indeed, matter.

Tee Grizzley • “Mr. Officer” (Ft. Queen Naija & Detroit Youth Choir) • 300 Entertainment • Release: 6.5.20

Photo Credit: 300 Entertainment