Janelle Monae and her Wondaland imprint haven’t just taken their messages of self and cultural awareness and placed it deep within their music — they’ve taken it to the streets, protesting and marching in New York City in the name of Black Lives Matter.
READ: Janelle Monae Marches With #BlackLivesMatter Protesters In Philadelphia
“Hell You Talmbout,” is a politically charged a six-minute list of all of the names of men and women killed at the hands of police violence as you may find all hear. Monáe tweeted that the song was “a vessel”.
This song is a vessel. It carries the unbearable anguish of millions. We recorded it to channel the… https://t.co/mZknNtqItv
— Janelle Monáe, Cindi (@JanelleMonae) August 13, 2015
It comes off as equal parts that and a war cry over a backdrop of thundering drums and tribal instrumentation. Monáe, Jidenna, Deep Cotton, Roman Gianaethur & St. Beauty come together to never let listeners forget what’s on the line, as well to remind us that the list is constantly growing with every hashtag by the day. Still, the fight must continue.
Stream “Hell You Talmbout” from Wondaland’s new EP, The Eephus, below.
READ: Stromae Taps Janelle Monae & Jidenna For His North American Tour