"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).
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.Dharmic X. "Kool G Rap Breaks Down His 25 Most Essential Songs," Complex (Jan 16, 2014). The song speaks out against racism and xenophobia in society in what Sputnikmusic called "a partially serious, and partially humorous manner".thecreative0ne. Wanted: Dead or Alive review, Sputnikmusic. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
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.Wild Style @ 25: Fab 5 Freddy Video RetrospectiveInterview: Fab 5 Freddy Speaks About Futura, The Downtown Art Scene, And Bringing Hip-Hop To Europe
Samples "Erase Racism" samples the following songs:Erase Racism at Who Sampled "Black and White" by Three Dog Night "What's Going On" by Les McCann "Sneakin' in the Back" by Tom Scott and The L.A. Express "Zimba Ku" by Black Heat
And was later sampled on: "I Ain't the Nigga" by The Coup
Track listing 12" A-side "Erase Racism" (4:30)
B-side "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (Remix) (4:04) "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (Dub) (4:04) "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (Instrumental) (4:04)
Cassette A-side "Erase Racism" (4:30)
B-side "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (Remix) (4:04)
CD "Erase Racism" (4:30)
References
External links "Erase Racism" at Discogs