influences

huey newton

huey newton inspired the boo radleys' final single 'free huey'
 

huey newton

born in a small town in lousiana newton later moved as an infant with his family to oakland, california.

it was at oakland city college that newton became politically oriented, reading the works of frantz fanon, malcolm x, chairmon mao and che guevara.

realising that there were few organisations to speak for or represent lower class african americans, newton along with bobby seale organised the blank panther party for self defense.

like a wary panther that would not attack unless attacked, so too was the organisation regarded.

he later became the co-founder and leader of the black panther movement for over two decades, for whom the hook of this track, 'be all you can be' became a slogan.

"after he was jailed on the charge of shooting a policeman 'free huey' became the rallying cry for the panthers," martin explains.

"it was later found out that their slogan 'be all you can be' was also used to spearhead us military recruitment campaigns.

"the irony is overwhelmeing - honest."

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