Music

linkin park introduced a lot of black kids to rock at a time when the genre had already been gentrified

July 21, 2017
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For many of us millennials of a certain age, Linkin Park marked a period in our tragic youths where the cathartic release of anger in the music of bands like Linkin Park were much-needed outlets for our adolescent rage. Chester Bennington’s piercing, expressive voice paired with co-founder Mike Shinoda’s hip-hop-inspired fusions and, of course, their 2004 ‘Collision Course’ collaboration with Jay-Z, Linkin Park played a pivotal role for so many black kids making the segue into hard rock.

Shinoda spoke on the band’s behalf after the world learned of Bennington’s suicide, tweeting “Shocked and heartbroken”, promising fans an official statement when there was one.

The Linkin Park frontman was public about his struggles with addiction and drug use as well as depression. As it’s been pointed out, Bennington’s death occurred on what would have been close friend Chris Cornell’s 53rd birthday. Cornell also committed suicide by hanging in May.

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