In the wake of this week's shooting deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, Jay Z has released a track weighing in on police brutality titled "spiritual."
A statement from Jay Z explains that the song, which was issued tonight (July 7) through Tidal, had initially been prepped "a year or so ago" in response to the August 2014 shooting of Ferguson, MO teen Michael Brown at the hands of the police.
He adds that TDE co-president Terrence "Punch" Henderson told him to release the song at the time of Brown's death, but Jay Z had responded, "this issue will always be relevant."
"I'm hurt that I knew his death wouldn't be the last," he continues: "I'm saddened and disappointed in THIS America — we should be further along. WE ARE NOT."
The song features lyrics about family life, "trans-generational trauma," and police violence. In the hook, he raps: "I am not poison, just a boy from the hood that got my hands in the air in despair / Don't shoot."
You'll find "spiritual" and Jay Z's note in full down below.
A statement from Jay Z explains that the song, which was issued tonight (July 7) through Tidal, had initially been prepped "a year or so ago" in response to the August 2014 shooting of Ferguson, MO teen Michael Brown at the hands of the police.
He adds that TDE co-president Terrence "Punch" Henderson told him to release the song at the time of Brown's death, but Jay Z had responded, "this issue will always be relevant."
"I'm hurt that I knew his death wouldn't be the last," he continues: "I'm saddened and disappointed in THIS America — we should be further along. WE ARE NOT."
The song features lyrics about family life, "trans-generational trauma," and police violence. In the hook, he raps: "I am not poison, just a boy from the hood that got my hands in the air in despair / Don't shoot."
You'll find "spiritual" and Jay Z's note in full down below.