Solange Unveils New Song “Rise,” Inspired By Ferguson & Baltimore: Watch

Carl Williott | May 15, 2015 12:42 pm

During a surprise performance at an an HBO-sponsored event promoting the network’s Bessie Smith biopic, Solange unveiled a new song called “Rise” which was inspired by police killings in Ferguson and Baltimore and the subsequent protests. And there’s a good chance it’ll land on her next album, which is great news since it means she’s putting together her True follow-up.

“We’re gonna attempt to play a song for the first time that may or may not be on the record, but it probably will be,” she told the L.A. crowd Thursday night (May 14), according to Rap-Up. “I wrote this one for Ferguson, for Baltimore, and it’s called ‘Rise.'”

It’s a circuitous funk number that expertly utilizes synth wails to contrast with Solange’s silky vocals, and sounds right at home with fare from albums like You’re Dead!To Pimp A Butterfly or Black Messiah.

This also places Solange among the ranks of Prince, Raury, Run The Jewels (twice), D’AngeloVince Staples and other artists who have released songs that directly or indirectly address the tide of unrest and racial injustice that has swept across the nation in the past year.

Tags: