Prince has released his new song "Baltimore," which was initially played to several members of the media in the lead up to the performer's "Rally 4 Peace" concert in the city on Sunday.
Music Times initially reported that Minneapolis reporter Iris Perez compared the track to "The Holy River" from the performer's album Emancipation...which was a fairly on-point analysis. The track was recorded by Prince early during this month as a response to the death of Baltimore resident Freddie Gray while being detained by the police. The track touches on other cases of black deaths at the hand of authorities, referencing the Michael Brown case from Ferguson, MO last year, however it carefully treads as to not make the song about race necessarily...suggesting that the prevalence of firearms in the nation help contribute to the violence as well. You can check out the full lyrics to the song at the bottom of the page.
The performer announced last week that he would be playing a free concert in Baltimore at the city's Royal Farms Arena, along with his band 3rdEyeGirl. Prince has requested that attendees to the concert this weekend wear the color Gray, as a tribute to the victim. Those with Tidal access will be able to stream audio from the show live.
Nobody got in nobody's way
So I guess you could say
It was a good day
At least a little better than the day in Baltimore
Does anybody hear us pray?
For Michael Brown or Freddie Gray
Peace is more than the absence of war
Absence of war
Are we gonna see another bloody day?
We're tired of cryin' and people dyin'
Let's take all the guns away
Absence of war-you and me
Maybe we can finally say
Enough is enough, it's time for love
It's time to hear
It's time to hear
The guitar play!
