Prince Records Ode To Freddie Gray And The Streets Of Baltimore
Prince Cares
“Moved by the unrest in Baltimore, singer-songwriter Prince has recorded a song critical of the killing of young African-American men, a publicist for the artist said Thursday.
It is a tribute to the people of Baltimore but will also address political and social issues throughout the country.
Prince’s Paisley Park Studios has not yet announced a release date.
Prince released two new albums last year for a career total of 34.”
OK, 25 year old black man Freddie Gray was arrested for possession of a switchblade knife on April 19th,
On April 19th he died from injuries sustained in Police custody.
We don’t know how or why, though the basic claim is he hit his head in the van and the Police wouldn’t provide help. A ballooned up claim Gray did it to himself has found no buyers.
A mix of outage and opportunism, has lead to rioting on the streets of Baltimore.
Look: Gray had a lengthy arrest record, but it was all possession and distribution of drugs. Not good, but I didn’t realize the death sentence had been instituted in Baltimore.
As for Prince: it is 2015, if you’ve recorded a song, what earthly good is a press release? Release the damn song. Also, check out the artwork above. Who but Prince would release a song in solidarity with Freddie Gray and the protesters (though, one assumes, not the looters) in Baltimore, and stick a picture of themselves on the record cover? The mind truly boggles at this egotist.
Finally, if and when Prince releases the song he better damn well make sure it isn’t a funk jam, but a strong song.
Why is he sitting on it again?
