Prince Debuts New Song “Baltimore”: Listen
Prince has debuted Freddie Gray protest song “Baltimore” ahead of his May 10 concert in the Maryland city. Here, he rewrites a rallying cry from past Black Lives Matter demonstrations into a sunny refrain. “If there ain’t no justice, then there ain’t no peace,” he and singer Eryn Allen Kane repeat, and to an ascending guitar solo.
Typically, when artists respond by song to the recent police brutality and the losses of lives like Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner and Gray, the resulting music is pained and mournful. J. Cole‘s “Be Free” is an heartbreaking example.
When local communities decide to protest such deaths, however, they try their best to keep spirits high. People chant “No justice, no peace” to motivate themselves to keep going. After protests in Baltimore turned to riots, residents organized clean-ups, free lunches and community meetings. A Michael Jackson impersonator took to the streets to dance by a burning CVS.
They’re uplifting themselves during trying times, and Prince’s upbeat “Baltimore” seems to recognize that.
The first hour of Prince’s Baltimore concert will stream for free on Tidal, while a portion of proceeds from ticket tales will directly benefit local youth charities. Until then, listen to the Purple Rain star’s protest song below.
[via Rolling Stone]
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