With the presidential election looming, ongoing social unrest, and the coronavirus pandemic permeating headlines tons of artists have honed in on their talent to create music for the movement.
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Here are a few new releases we’ll have on loop:
De La Soul: “Remove 45”
Rap icons De La Soul have spent their entire career expanding the boundaries of hip hop. Their latest project will push those boundaries even further. “Remove 45,” is their latest single and it features Styles P, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, rap activist Mysonne, and Chuck D.
“When it comes to this president and his administration we need to exercise our right to vote and REMOVE him from office,” says POS. De La Soul dropped the single to address issues the country is facing and encourage people to vote to vote Donald Trump out of office.”
Tiffany Wilson: “America”
Memphis-born soul songstress Tiffany Wilson recently released her single, “America,” a powerful reflection on the state of the nation. The timely track addresses the gun violence epidemic, rampant injustice, racial inequality, and gross standards plaguing our country head-on. Tiffany’s voice echoes the tension, weariness, frustration, anger, and torment experienced by a generation.
“Got a little story, we’ve heard too many times about a little boy unafraid of taking lives of other little boys and girls and don’t think twice. Where was another choice where nobody paid the price?,” she sings in the opening. “The song is a question,” Tiffany says. “Is this how we keep America great?”
Rapsody ft. Bilal: “Pray Momma Don’t Cry”
9th Wonder produced the track that’s featured in the I Can’t Breathe/ Music for the Movement EP from Hollywood Records and The Undefeated. The cover is performed by Grammy-nominated Rapsody and features Bilal. The project reimagines historically significant songs as well as original songs by and for Black America with contemporary artists and producers.
Each song comes with exclusive artwork created by Black artists. In a year of reckoning on the matter of racial inequities, as well as a global pandemic and economic downturn, the music reminds and evokes the importance of standing against injustice.
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H.E.R.: “I Can’t Breathe”
Back in June, H.E.R. released “I Can’t Breathe” and the single is more timely than ever.
“Just by the title, you know that it means something very, very kind of painful and very revealing. These lyrics were kind of easy to write because it came from a conversation with what’s happening right now, what’s been happening, and the courage we need to see,” she said at the time. “I think music is powerful when it comes to change and when it comes to healing, and that’s why I wrote this song; to make a mark in history. And I hope this song does that.”
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Anthony Brown: “Call to Action”
Anthony Brown just released the video for their latest single “Call to Action” and in it, the song’s message of unity is crystal clear.
“The recent killings of unarmed people of color sent me through a range of emotions. I sat in utter shock and disbelief while watching the senseless killing of George Floyd. What was even worse to me was to see the wide range of responses and thoughts of so many of my fellow Americans who couldn’t feel the hurt and pain because their lives are so far removed from the realities of racism, bigotry, and social injustice that exist in our country,” Brown said in a statement.
“With tears in my eyes, I sat at the piano and sang my response. Call to action is not just for people of color. It’s bigger than political party. It’s bigger than gender or region. This song is about unifying ALL of us for the purpose of seeing the world we live in better for those of us in it right now and better for the generations to follow. We can’t sit on the sidelines. We all have to get in the fight for human decency, morals, and the value of human lives…whatever color they may be. This is a call to action!”
His upcoming album, Stuck in the House: The Pandemic Project, is due out November 6.
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