Jay Z has released a dark, powerful new song called Spiritual, exclusively streaming on Tidal.
The song is accompanied by a note which explains the history of the song and its relevance today, following the tragic shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.
Read the note in full:
I made this song awhile ago, I never got to finish it.
Punch (TDE) told me I should drop it when Mike Brown died, sadly I told him, “this issue will always be relevant.” I’m hurt that I knew his death wouldn’t be the last……
I’m saddened and disappointed in THIS America – we should be further along.
WE ARE NOT.
I trust God and know everything that happens is for our greatest good, but man…. it’s tough right now.
Blessings to all the families that have lost loved ones to police brutality.
– j
“Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.”
– Fredrick Douglas
The track is ominous and brooding, with a low, auto-tuned hook and an intensely personal verses about Jay Z’s live, his daughter, “We call her Blue, ‘cos it’s sad that, how can I be a dada, I never had that, shattered in a million pieces, where the glass at? I need a drink, shrink, or something.”
Listen to Jay Z’s new song below via Tidal.
The music world has reacted to these tragedies in a big way. You can read some artist responses here.
Image: TheNextWeb