Music Artists React to Detroit’s Filing for Bankruptcy

By Lora Neng
WWW.STREETGANGS.COM STAFF WRITER
July 22, 2013

Despite the efforts of a few conscious and able notables–including Eminem declining a starring role in “Elysium” when the director Neil Blonkamp (of “District 9″) could not be convinced to shoot the film in Motor City–the deterioration of Detroit may soon be finalized with the declaration bankruptcy.

Governor Rick Snyder’s order was made public last week. The state-appointed emergency manager Kevyn Orr filed a Chapter 9 petition on Thursday, shocking many for its being the largest municipality to do so and the abrupt timing to minimize other lawsuits that were pending against the city that already owes a hefty $18-$20 billion debt.

Snyder said that “there are no viable options,” but he was putting the ability to provide basic services for his city’s 700,000 residents first.

The filing will be under court review to determine whether the city was truly insolvent, or if the petition for bankruptcy protections was filed prematurely. It is expected to most strongly affect pensioners and unions, amongst other creditors.

Beyonce dedicated “A Change Is Gonna Come” with a slideshow tribute to the city’s landmarks and Motown legacy during her concert at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Slaughterhouse member Royce Da 5’9″ told Hip Hop Fire, “My city has seen many lows and many highs.. I’m proud to represent Detroit no matter the financial status.”