Spike Lee Claps Back at 'Chi-Raq' Critics in Midst of City Strife

Clapback season is in full effect for Spike Lee as he shoots down Chi-Raq critics -- or as he calls them, "haters." In the midst of the turmoil in Chicago, this film depicts the social ills of the murder-riddled city and could not be more timely. Lee wants everyone to "wake up" and realize the point of this film is to save lives.

Spike Lee is simply trying to "Do the Right Thing."

Chi-Raq premiered in theaters Dec. 4 as the first Amazon Original Movie. It tells the story of the violence that runs rampant in the streets of Chicago and how the women band together with a sex strike to stop the violence. The film stars Nick Cannon, Jennifer Hudson, Angela Bassett and Samuel L. Jackson.

Since the film's debut, Lee has gotten a ton of criticism. The title of the film alone has been controversial because it likens the violence in Chicago to the war in Iraq. However, if you've turned on the news lately, the civil unrest, outrage about injustice and senseless killing doesn't seem too far off the mark. As a matter of fact, it's right on time.

Among the Chi-Raq naysayers are Chi-Town natives, rappers Chief Keef, Lil Durk and Chance the Rapper. As soon as they saw the trailer, many of these guys claimed the film is "not authentic." After the film was released, Chance the Rapper was particularly outraged and took to Twitter:  

Let me be the one from Chicago to personally tell you we not supporting this film out here

— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) December 4, 2015

You don't do any work with the children of Chicago, You don't live here, you've never watched someone die here. Don't tell me to be calm — Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) December 4, 2015

Also the idea that women abstaining from sex would stop murders is offensive and a slap in the face to any mother that lost a child here

— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) December 4, 2015

Spike Lee did not take these comments sitting down.

This week, Lee appeared on Sway in the Morning and clapped back at the rappers and anybody else who had something to say about the film, its message or its cast. In his "Kanye moment", Spike said, "This film was made to save lives. ... Our children are being murdered on the streets."

He addressed Chicago rappers who didn't like his casting of Nick Cannon: "For these rappers from Chicago ... I should not cast Nick Cannon because he didn't kill anybody?? There's nothing commendable about being a savage. That's not who we are! ... It's not cute and it's not being a man."

Take a look at the interview below.

Check out the Chi-Raq trailer and let us know what you think. Is Chance the Rapper right about the film, or do you support Spike Lee's vision?

CHI-RAQ Trailer from 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks on Vimeo.