Good vs. Evil II: The Red Empire is a full-length album by Long Beach based rapper KXNG Crooked, released on December 8, 2017. Good Vs. Evil II is the second part in a four part album series. Picking up right where his 2016 album, Good vs. Evil, his initial response to the Trump presidency, left off, the album touches on important, albeit, very controversial topics occurring within America. Crooked himself stated that both the music and cover art are intended to raise controversy. As to be expected from the seasoned rapper, the album features a multitude of flows and styles, as well as various features including fellow Slaughterhouse member Royce da 5'9. Crooked told XXL that despite worries of a hip hop scene slowly shifting away from political subject matter “where most rappers are making music about poppin' Xanax”, he decided that “hip-hop needs this album,” given the state of America. Message from KXNG Crooked’s publicist: Almost a year ago KXNG Crooked released a manifesto in the form of Good vs. Evil. To rewind, Donald Trump had just been elected the 45th President in one of our most controversial presidential elections, divisiveness infiltrated every aspect of the populous, governmental agencies were willingly pumping poison into its communities, protests were raging in the streets, unprovoked police brutality was rampant (with zero accountability) and the societal divide widened with each passing day. With a seemingly basic disregard for human rights, it was understood that we were living in a complicated and dangerous time. People were in search of answers and a unifying message; KXNG Crooked’s Good vs. Evil could not have appeared at a more needed time as he delivered a project that stared into the face of oppression and struck a nerve. Though it seems counter-intuitive and unimaginative, the year that has passed in-between has led us even further astray. The Donald Trump era has borne witness to fake news, championing racism, bigotry, separatism, sexism and a general contempt for rule of law. Further, he continues his quest to eradicate the health care of millions, advocated a foreign government meddling in an election, diminished our standing in the International community and has displayed more concern about the behavior of NFL football players; then he has for the well-being of the citizens he is sworn to uphold. Welcome to the new normal! Thankfully, KXNG Crooked’s Good vs. Evil II: The Red Empire picks up right where its predecessor left off. On the surface, Good vs. Evil II is the epitome of woke; a politically and socially conscious decree that demands to be heard and processed. At its core, it’s designed to be the theme music that Colin Kapernick and a generation can proudly knell to. “When I first started creating Good vs. Evil I wondered how I would get my audience to listen to a project covering social injustice, racism, classism etc. in a climate where most rappers are making music about poppin' Xanax and drinking lean” Crooked commented. “My immediate afterthought was who gives a fuck what other artists are doing, Hip-Hop needs this album! Look at the world today. We have a president whose ex-wife is on record saying she was raped by him. We have police officers who are on film killing unarmed citizens with no consequences. We have entire cities like Flint, MI drinking poisonous water. Good Vs Evil 2 is just as necessary as part one. From the production to the content to the music sequencing to the artwork everything is designed to provoke thought. And the shit slaps too!” Good Vs Evil 2 is just as incendiary, authentic and unapologetic as its predecessor and that is exemplified by the projects cover art. “There are a few messages I wanted the artwork to communicate” Crooked asserted. “One is the thin line between good and evil. Sometimes there’s light in villains and darkness in heroes. I also added a figure that may be a bit controversial and that’s the widely accepted image of Jesus Christ. No shot at Christians, but that particular image of Christ symbolizes death, slavery and colonization to many. Most American slave masters and the Klu Klux Klan members hang that image on their walls and truly believe themselves to be Christians. I’m trying to open doors to taboo conversations. And lastly, the Trump figure is “Red Hood,” the albums new enemy of justice being inducted into the Tyrants club and kneeling like the football players for what he believes in; hatred and division.” No Justice, No Peace!