“When Thugs Cry” is a reworking of the Prince classic “When Doves Cry”. It was recorded for a Like a Version session for Australia’s Triple J radio station.
Bada$$ originally recorded the tune for his 2017 album All-Amerikkkan Bada$$, but his reworking was cut from the album when he was unable to get the sample cleared. Fortunately he was able to perform the tune during this live session.
Bada$$ uses the Prince tune to provide a framework for his hard-hitting verses which offers a thoughtful examination of systemic racism (“Can’t explain the pain, all I know is chains / All I know is whips, and all I know is gang, gang, gang, gang”). The lyrics also encourages black communities to rise up in the face of adversities and to end the violence. It also addresses exposure to the media’s propaganda (“Screen advertise corrupt your mind / Fill that TVs with so many lies”).
When Prince was alive he was protective of maintaining creative control of his art and he wasn’t quick to give permission for other artists to cover or sample his music. But I’ll like to think that Prince would approve of this poignant reworking.