Today marks the 20-year anniversary of the day Rodney King was beaten by the L.A.P.D. The brutal assault is an infamous moment in American history and it led to a string of events. Besides King and the subsequent trial of the officers accused of using excessive force, the King saga more or less involved numerous other incidents including the shooting of LaTasha Harlins, the beating of Reginald Denny, and the resignation of L.A.P.D. police chief Daryl Gates. It also was ultimately the straw that broke the camel’s back and led to the 1992 L.A. Riots. Besides being a moment in American history, the entire ordeal has been immortalized in rap lyrics through the years. Which is why we decided take a look back at the series of events that began with King’s beating and ended with him winning $3.8 million in a civil suit, through the lens of various rappers who’ve made Rodney King references or songs inspired his story. So please, can’t get all just get along?
Today marks the 20-year anniversary of the day Rodney King was beaten by the L.A.P.D. The brutal assault is an infamous moment in American history and it led to a string of events. Besides King and the subsequent trial of the officers accused of using excessive force, the King saga more or less involved numerous other incidents including the shooting of LaTasha Harlins, the beating of Reginald Denny, and the resignation of L.A.P.D. police chief Daryl Gates. It also was ultimately the straw that broke the camel’s back and led to the 1992 L.A. Riots. Besides being a moment in American history, the entire ordeal has been immortalized in rap lyrics through the years. Which is why we decided take a look back at the series of events that began with King’s beating and ended with him winning $3.8 million in a civil suit, through the lens of various rappers who’ve made Rodney King references or songs inspired his story. So please, can’t get all just get along?
Rodney King Beaten by L.A.P.D. Officers (March 3, 1991)
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Lyrics:Planet of the Apes
Complex says:Planet of the Apes
Footage of King’s Beating Airs On National TV (March 4, 1991)
What happened?Malcolm X
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Officers In King Beating Are Indicted (March 14, 1991)
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Complex says:The Predator
LaTasha Harlins Is Fatally Shot By Korean Store Owner (March 16, 1991)
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Officers In King Case Plead Not Guilty (March 26, 1991)
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Complex says:deported
Shooter In Harlins Case Gets Probation (November 15, 1991)
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Officers Acquitted In King Case, L.A. Riots Begin, Reginald Denny Beating Broadcast On Television (April 29,1992)
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California Governor Pete Wilson Declares State of Emergency, Deploys National Guard (April 30, 1992)
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King: "Can't We All Just Get Along?" (May 1, 1992)
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Armed Forces Deployed In L.A. (May 2, 1992)
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L.A.P.D. Chief Daryl Gates Resigns From L.A.P.D. (June 28, 1992)
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L.A. Four Sentenced In Reginald Denny Case (December 1992)
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King Wins Millions In Damages From Civil Case (April 17, 1993)
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Complex says:Celebrity Rehab
