TREY SONGZ REFLECTS ON THE PAST AND PRESENT ON “2020 RIOTS: HOW MANY TIMES”

If somehow you’ve missed it, there’s a riot going on.

In all 50 states.

And across the globe.

These unprecedented acts have people scrambling to explain what is happening and why. Though the answer is exceptionally straightforward and simple.

I'm in a surreal universe where my everyday rant has reached the world and is being shared by my IDOLS! https://t.co/UAX1S2IJxw

— Kimberly Jones (@kimlatricejones) June 7, 2020

A reckoning 400 years in the making has exploded in the wake of George Floyd’s murder at the hands of Minneapolis Police. And while it is his name echoing through the streets around the world, his death was merely the final straw.

None of this is even remotely new, and very little has changed in the past 50-60 years.

We’ve been here before. We never really left.

This is the sentiment at the heart of Trey Songz new single “2020 Riots: How Many Times”. While protest music might not be his calling-card, Songz has made an exceptionally powerful and poignant piece of art.

“With the words in this song I just wanted to speak to everyone’s hearts and acknowledge the pain and anguish everyone is going through right now. I know this ain’t usually my message and you’re not used to hearing this from me, but this is the person I’ve always been,” Trey Songz said in a statement.

A portion of the proceeds from the release of “2020 Riots: How Many Times” will directly benefit both Black Lives Matter and the Community Justice Exchange’s National Bail Fund Network.

TREY SONGZ - “2020 RIOTS: HOW MANY TIMES”

Black Lives Matter.

And frankly, matter is the bare fucking minimum.

If you’re still trying to figure out how this country might be systemically racist, consider that the perfectly innocuous statement ‘Black Lives Matter’ was considered highly controversial until like two weeks ago. 

Though it’s not the only new protest song we’ve been blessed with, “2020 Riots: How Many Times” does a tremendous job of simplistically explaining the matter at hand, all while capturing the raw emotion of this unprecedented moment.

This has been going on since long before the United States was even a country. We’re living in a time in which we have an actual chance to address it and finally move forward.

Besides getting in the streets, there are several ways in which you can get involved with this movement. Sign petitions, donate to bail and legal funds, educate yourself on concepts like Defund the Police (no, it doesn’t mean there will be no more cops).

Things are just getting started.

p.s. Instead of reading White Fragility or How To Be Anti-Racist, order Assata from a black-owned bookstore.

Calvin Paradise is not any one thing. The half-hearted vagabond and forgetful luddite currently resides in Los Angeles and how he spends his time is none of your damned business.