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As Mike Brown was laid to rest today, the unfortunate scenario coincidentally etched the unarmed teen’s name into historical context of tragedies that have become national learning tools.

While it is definitely heartwarming to see a nation band together in the wake of a senseless incident, the same can’t be said for Ezell Ford, the man who, like Brown, was gunned down by police without a weapon to boot. The shooting occurred on August 13, just as the awareness for Brown’s death began to sweep the headlines online and in print.

Hip-Hop Wired was present at the 2014 BMI R&B & Hip-Hop Awards and made sure to pick the brains of DJ Mustard and TeeFlii, two of Los Angeles’ most respected artists who still have a presence in the streets.

Mustard’s production talents have been ubiquitous with the year’s sound, including YG’s hard-hitting debut My Krazy Life, as well as his own, 10 Summers. When asked about the people vs. the LAPD in his immediate environment, admitted to being just as confused as the next man but was cognizant that the only solution was a peaceful one.

“We just have to deal with it like civilized adults,” opposed to the traditional rioting, the producer born Dijon McFarlane relays. “We have to learn from these mistakes and get justice and make sure these cops get what they deserve.

TeeFlii, the R&B crooner with the gangster’s edge, agreed and even alluded that the poorly publicized killings by the LAPD could somewhat be considered the norm.

In musical news, both artists are expected to continue to convey their climates through the sounds. Mustard goes on to plug Ty Dolla $ign’s recently released $ign Language and TeeFlii tells Hip-Hop Wired how his album is just around the corner, with production provided by his big homie.

Take a look at the entire interview above.

Photo: Hip-Hop Wired