Janelle Monáe & Her Wondaland Crew Protest Police Killings On Bracing “Hell You Talmbout”

Janelle Monáe and fellow Wondaland Records artists Deep Cotton, St. Beauty, Jidenna, Roman GianArthur, and George 2.0 have just released “Hell You Talmbout,” a fiery protest song that also serves as a tribute to the numerous African-Americans killed by police and non-black civilians in recent years.

The song is comprised of martial drums and the various artists shouting the names of murdered black citizens, interspersed with the titular gospel chant — and that’s it. Yet it takes a shameful 6:41 to get through the list of the deceased, which includes Walter Scott, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Freddie Gray, Aiyana Jones, Sandra Bland, Michael Brown, Amadou Diallo and Emmett Till. This is some powerful stuff.

Wondaland released the song along with the following statement:

“This song is a vessel.

It carries the unbearable anguish of millions.

We recorded it to channel the pain, fear, and trauma caused by the ongoing slaughter of our brothers and sisters.

We recorded it to challenge the indifference, disregard, and negligence of all who remain quiet about this issue.

Silence is our enemy. Sound is our weapon.

They say a question lives forever until it gets the answer it deserves…

Won’t you say their names?”

Hear it below.