# Politically Charged Music Videos '16 Shots' by Vic Mensa Takes Aim at Chicago's Police Brutality By Riley von Niessen | Published 2016-11-06 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/16-shots References: [hypebeast](http://hypebeast.com/?post=1777654) & [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPWXOAYlgOc) Growing up in Chicago's South Side, rapper Vic Mensa experienced firsthand the city's ongoing problems with gun violence and race-driven police brutality -- which is what he unfolds in the [music video for his single](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/love-you-more) '16 Shots.' Specifically, it references the shooting of Laquan McDonald, who Vic Mensa was good friends with and fought for in a number protests that followed his passing. Throughout the video, the rapper tells the story of what went down on that October night in 2014 -- speaking to the unnecessary and grossly excessive force that was used. Playing out the events, Vic Mensa is depicted confronting members of law enforcement, while also referencing other [high-profile cases against people of color](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thoughts-prayers-toilet-paper). With this, 16 Shots functions as a [PSA, getting out an important message](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sos-songs-mental-unimed) to a large demographic of fans in a highly impactful medium. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.5/10 - Popularity: 1% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Celebs](https://www.trendhunter.com/celebs) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Music Activism:** The rise of music videos with politically charged messages presents an opportunity for artists to use their platform to advocate for important social issues. - **Storytelling Through Music Videos:** Artists are using music videos to tell compelling stories, creating a powerful and engaging medium to communicate important messages. - **Social Justice in Popular Culture:** Music videos that address social justice issues are indicative of a broader movement towards activism in popular culture. ### Where This Applies - **Music and Entertainment:** Music artists and the entertainment industry can collaborate with social justice advocates to craft politically driven music videos that drive engagement and support important causes. - **Technology:** Advancements in video production technology presents opportunities for artists to create high-quality, visually impactful music videos that communicate important messages to a broad audience. - **Social Impact:** The popularity and impact of music videos with socially conscious messages suggests a growth opportunity for organizations focused on using media for social impact and change. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Journalist-Focused Short Films](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-shooting.md) - [Police Filming Awareness Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/get-real-movement.md) - [Pizza-Themed Music Videos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lucha-little.md) - [Gun Violence Prevention Films](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandy-hook-promise.md) - [Social Justice Networking Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reyets-app.md) - [AI-Generated Rap Music Videos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/love-you-more.md) - [Gender-Based Violence Awareness Films](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/my-friend-max-hate.md) - [Anti-Gender Violence Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antigender-violence-campaign.md) - [Social Justice Desert Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/make-some-motherchunkin-change.md)