Rapper Common Leads a Moment of Silence for Ferguson During MTV VMAs

Before announcing the nominees for Best Hip-Hop Video at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, rapper Common sermonized on the ongoing protests in Ferguson, Mo., connecting the outrage to hip-hip’s history as being a vehicle for political commentary.

“Hip-hop has always been about truth and has been a powerful instrument for social change,” said after describing the national outpouring of concern over the police shooting of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown earlier this month. He listed off Public Enemy and Kendrick Lamar as examples of artists who’ve used the vehicle to send powerful messages about society.

The socially-conscious rapper then called for a moment of silence in honor of Ferguson, leading the arena into a 5-second-long bout of quietude.

Watch below, via MTV:

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