San Francisco rapper apologizes for video critical of Mayor London Breed
SAN FRANCISCO - A San Francisco rapper apologized after calling out Mayor London Breed in his very PG-13 rap, blaming her for the level of crime in the city.
Chino Yang made a song with the lyrics, "London Breed, you ain't nothing but a clown, when we really needed you ain't never been around."
Yang, also the owner of Kung Food in the NoPa neighborhood, blames San Francisco for car and business break-ins, homelessness and attacks on Asian residents. He mentioned recording the song after his restaurant experienced its seventh break-in.
In the track, he raps that since COVID, not enough has been done to address violence against members of the Asian community.
"They're getting killed, they're getting robbed and the D.A. just dropping all the murder charges," he raps.
However, some San Francisco leaders have taken issue with Yang's criticism of Breed.
The San Francisco NAACP and community activists defended Breed at a rally at Third Baptist Church, condemning the song and urging Yang to take down the video.
"Everybody always looking at [Breed] like, ‘Oh, she got the city (messed up),’ the city been messed up. I been living in the city all my life. The city been messed up and she inherited a lot of these problems," said activist Laron Mayfield.
Yulanda Williams, president of San Francisco Black Police Officers for Justice, added, "Music is supposed to be a universal language and a communication that brings us together."
Yang has since issued an apology for the sake of his family and loved ones after he says he received threats from a "powerful" individual, the San Francisco Standard reported.
"I am sorry for my ignorance, my foolishness and impulsiveness," he posted on social media Tuesday. "I should be more informed about what she's done for our city."
Yang told the San Francisco Standard he plans to remove it.
Residents are divided on whether the diss track was appropriate.
"I think it's pretty childish. I mean if you want solutions about something, go to the local meetings," said resident Josh Marx.
Hannah Macaulay said, "I think it's important to use your civic voice. And if your media is a song, and you're talking to the mayor, that's fine."
The three-minute video has racked up thousands of views on YouTube.