Sound of da Police


"Sound of da Police" is a song by American rapper KRS-One. Released in December 1993 as the second and final single from his debut solo album, Return of the Boom Bap, it reached number 89 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Content

The song criticizes police brutality and systematic oppression. It begins with KRS-One whooping twice to evoke a police siren ; this recurs several times throughout the song. The heavy bass sample loop was taken from Grand Funk Railroad's cover of "Inside-Looking Out", the final track of their LP Grand Funk. Part of the drum track is taken from "Sing A Simple Song" by Sly & The Family Stone.

Charts

In popular culture

The song was featured in the American films Cop Out, Tag and Black and Blue, and the British film Attack The Block. It was featured as an in-game radio selection in the 2015 video game Battlefield Hardline, and was used for the end credits of the 2016 movie Ride Along 2 and in the 2016 published The Angry Birds Movie soundtrack. It has appeared in the TV show Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The 'Whoop whoop, sound of da police' hook has been referenced by ska-punk band Sonic Boom Six on their track Piggy In The Middle and in metal band Skindred on the title track of their 2002 debut album Babylon. It was also featured in French movie La Haine.