BODY COUNT & FRIENDS – Cop killer (live) | Hellfest (2018)

“Cop Killer” is a song composed by Ernie C with lyrics by Ice-T for American heavy metal band Body Count, of which they were both members. Released on Body Count’s 1992 self-titled debut album, the song was written two years earlier, and was partially influenced by “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads.

The song’s lyrics about “cop killing” provoked negative reactions from political figures of the time, such as then-President George H. W. Bush. Others defended the song on the basis of the band’s First Amendment rights. Ice-T has referred to it as a “protest record”. Ice-T eventually recalled the album and re-released it without the inclusion of the song, which was given away as a free single.

The recorded version mentions then-Los Angeles police chief Daryl Gates, and Rodney King, a black motorist whose beating by LAPD officers had been caught on videotape. Shortly after the release of Body Count, a jury acquitted the officers and riots broke out in South Central Los Angeles. Soon after the riots, the Dallas Police Association and the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas (CLEAT) launched a campaign to force Warner Bros. Records to withdraw the album.

I got my black shirt on. I got my black gloves on. I got my ski mask on. This shit’s been too long.

I got my twelve gauge sawed off. I got my headlights turned off. I’m ’bout to bust some shots off. I’m ’bout to dust some cops off.

I’m a cop killer, better you than me. Cop killer, fuck police brutality! Cop killer, I know your family’s grieving, (fuck ’em!) Cop killer, but tonight we get even, ha ha.

I got my brain on hype. Tonight will be your night. I got this long-assed knife. And your neck looks just right.

My adrenaline’s pumpin’. I got my stereo bumpin’. I’m ’bout to kill me somethin’. A pig stopped me for nuthin’!

Cop killer, better you than me. Cop killer, fuck police brutality! Cop killer, I know your momma’s grieving, (fuck her!) Cop killer, but tonight we get even, yeah!

Die, die, die pig, die! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police!

Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Yeah!

Cop killer, better you than me. I’m a cop killer, fuck police brutality! Cop killer, I know your family’s grieving, (fuck ’em!) Cop killer, but tonight we get even, ha ha ha ha, yeah!

Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police!

Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Fuck the police! Break it down.

Fuck the police, yeah! Fuck the police, for darryl gates. Fuck the police, for rodney king. Fuck the police, for my dead homies.

Fuck the police, for your freedom. Fuck the police, don’t be a pussy. Fuck the police, have some muthafuckin’ courage. Fuck the police, sing along.

Cop killer! Cop killer! Cop killer! Cop killer!

Cop killer! what do you want to be when you grow up? Cop killer! good choice. Cop killer! I’m a muthafuckin’ Cop killer!

Cop killer, better you than me. Cop killer, fuck police brutality! Cop killer, I know your momma’s grieving, (fuck her!) Cop killer, but tonight we get even!