Earlier this month on April 12, Freddie Gray was arrested in Baltimore on weapons charges. Seven days later on April 19, while being detained in police custody, the formerly healthy 25 year-old's life abruptly ended due to a collapsed trachea and severe spinal injuries.

Following Mr. Gray's tragic death, concerned citizens congregated to protest him dying while in police custody; although many of the initial protests were peaceful, on Saturday (April 25), some of the protesters faltered and violence consumed their actions. Be that as it may, the frustrated citizens continued to champion their cause against police brutality.

Yesterday morning, Baltimore's New Shiloh Baptist Church was the scene where Freddie Gray was laid to rest. Soon after the funeral more agitated protesters popped up throughout Baltimore which led Governor Larry Hogan to declare a state of emergency and deploy National Guard troops throughout Baltimore.

As in the past, Hip-Hop continues to serve as a platform supplying a voice to seemingly ignored and often oppressed communities. Social advocate Chuck D took to Twitter to express his thoughts, writing, "Young black folk have been FED disrespect the past 20yrs across the USA especially through culture.The GOVT not only allowed they backed it." Others who have spoken out include Talib Kweli, Freeway and Bun B, who condemned the senseless looting.

Following this initial post Twitter has been inundated with concerned citizens expounding up the subject #BaltimoreUprising. Check out the slide to see how some of Hip-Hop's cultivators are using their voice via social media to convey their perspective to the masses.

Does devolving to rioting and violence usurp the underlying message that's trying to be expressed? Leave a comment with your thoughts.

Source: XXL