Janelle Monáe, Jidenna, St. Beauty, Deep Cotton & Roman GianArthur – “Hell You Talmbout”
Yesterday, Janelle Monáe and her entire Wondaland Arts Society crew — which includes St. Beauty, Deep Cotton, Roman GianArthur, and “Classic Man” hitmaker Jidenna — led a protest against police brutality through the street of Philadelphia. As I’m writing this, they’re doing the same thing in New York. And today, they’ve shared a new song called “Hell You Talmbout,” which has been a part of those protests. Really, it’s less a song and more of a chant, with some gospel overtones. The various Wondaland members yell out the names of victims of police violence and other racist attacks. It’s a simple, effective thing, a piece of agitprop that never worries about working as a song. Below, listen to “Hell You Talmbout” and check out some footage from the Philly protest.
The EP compilation Wondaland Presents: The Eephus is out now on Epic. This song isn’t on it.
