Prince Is Throwing A "Rally 4 Peace" In Baltimore This Weekend
UPDATE: You can now buy the fully mastered version of Prince's "Baltimore" on iTunes.
After a week of build-up, Prince has finally shared "Baltimore," a brand new single dedicated to the Eastern American city that has endured so much pain and injustice, not only in recent weeks but for decades running. A slice of strutting funk with uplifting vocals courtesy of Eryn Allen Kane and Prince's 3RDEYEGIRL backing band. The Purple One's guitar playing stays front and center throughout the track, which, despite its harrowing inspirations, is an incredibly uplifting and hopeful piece of music. To hear Prince himself call out "If there ain't no justice / Then there ain't no peace!" is sure to breathe new life into any protester or activist who feels weary from the fight. And it might be enough to bring fence-sitters out into the streets to organize and march for a better world. We're not saying that funk is what's going to save the world, but this surely helps.
In a statement made to USA Today, Prince's spokesperson described the song as addressing "the unrest in Baltimore and the socio/political issues around the country in the wake of a slew of killings of young black men."
Prince will perform at a 'RALLY 4 PEACE' concert along with 3RDEYEGIRL at Baltimore's Royal Farms Arena. The entire show will stream online for free via Tidal. Listen to "Baltimore" below and follow along with the lyrics.
Lyrics:
NOBODY GOT IN NOBODY’S WAY
SO EYE GUESS U COULD SAY
IT WAS A GOOD DAY
AT LEAST A LITTLE BETTER THAN THE DAY IN BALTIMORE
DOES ANYBODY HEAR US PRAY?
4 MICHAEL BROWN OR FREDDIE GRAY
PEACE IS MORE THAN THE ABSENCE OF WAR
ABSENCE OF WAR
R WE GONNA C ANOTHER BLOODY DAY?
WE’RE TIRED OF CRYIN’ & PEOPLE DYIN’
LET’S TAKE ALL THE GUNS AWAY
ABSENCE OF WAR—U AND ME
MAYBE WE CAN FINALLY SAY
ENUFF IS ENUFF IT’S TIME 4 LOVE
IT’S TIME 2 HEAR,
IT’S TIME 2 HEAR
THE GUITAR PLAY!
IF THERE AIN'T NO JUSTICE
THEN THERE AIN'T NO PEACE
BALTIMORE
