ROGERS PARK — Rapper Bang Da Hitta says he wants his friends freed from jail after they were arrested for toting guns in his debut music video released two months ago.
In a new music video titled "In da field," which was posted online Sunday, the artist raps about the media firestorm sparked by the display of high-powered guns in the earlier video that accompanied his lyrics calling for the death of rival gang members.
He also wears a sweatshirt printed with the police mug shots of his friends who reportedly violated parole and probation for wielding the guns in the video.
"FREE DEM FARWELL HITTAZ" is emblazoned alongside the six photos, referencing Farwell Avenue in Rogers Park.
While sounds resembling gunshots can be heard on the new video, the only guns that can be seen appear when clips are shown of the original video, which featured a startling array of firepower. That original video was titled "Die L'z" — referring to a rival gang, Loyalty Over Cash, whose territory includes Howard Street.
But Bang Da Hitta issues a challenge to law enforcement in the new video: "They say they looking for me / I be up in Freakyville / They say they wanting with me / I be up in Freakyville."
Rogers Park Police District Cmdr. Thomas Waldera said Monday he had yet to see the new video, but mused that the rapper "probably feels guilty" for getting his friends locked up.
"He’s not gonna ease up, is he?" Waldera said.
The commander confirmed that multiple suspects seen in the video were arrested for violating parole or probation. He said all the weapons seen in the video were confiscated by police.
Bang Da Hitta in his newer and more introspective video can be seen viewing TV news reports aired about him after DNAinfo.com Chicago first reported the story in August.
"The cops don't like us cuz they know we quick to get busting / They saw my video and put my 'hood up for discussion," he raps. "I know the feds watching / Got us on their microscope."
He also says he has gotten "death threats," rapping, "These n----s frontin' they gonna kill me / Stop that flexin' fan."
Shawn Robinson, the video's producer, who also worked on Bang Da Hitta's first music video, said he filmed the rapper "a couple of days ago" in the neighborhood.
"Right now," Robinson said, "he’s popular on the North Side, especially in Rogers Park."
He also said Bang Da Hitta was working on a mix tape.
The rapper, when contacted via a Facebook message, declined to be interviewed, saying, "why do you want to write about the video? you should be happy there aren't no 'guns' in it."
