In today'e new music round-up, we have an inspirational track from Alicia Keys, Elle Varner rocked out with A$AP Ferg on "Don't Wanna Dance" and the first song from Mary J. Blige's London Sessions disc. Listen inside...
Alicia Keys released a song of inspiration on her Facebook page called "We Are Here." The post attached to the new video (where she returns to her signature braids) reveals that she wrote the track as she thought about the world she's bring a child into (she and Swizz Beatz are expecting). She goes on to address universal health care, the prison industrial complex, and the true meaning of equality. Deep stuff.
The day I wrote this song, I was sitting in a circle of people of all ages and we were asked, “Why are you here.” Why am I here?? This really hit me on a deep level. I realized no one had ever asked me that question before.
As I prepare to give birth to a new child, I can't help and think about the world I'm bringing my baby into. No matter where we come from, when we see the state of the world today, we can all feel the growing frustration and desire to make a difference. And we all have a voice - we just need to know how to make it heard.
I have a vision that I believe is more than a dream, that I know can be our reality.
I believe in an empowered world community built on the true meaning of equality – where we are all considered one people, regardless of race, religion, gender, zip code, belief system or sexual orientation.
I believe all of our voices should be heard, so that our representation reflects our population. We need our leadership to reflect an equal balance of the gifts that both men and women have to offer.
I believe in a world where every child born receives a quality education – where their unique gifts are nurtured so that they may be a beneficial presence in this world.
I believe in mutual respect and cooperation among all peoples and all nations. It is time to end all forms of racial injustice for our black brothers and sisters and all people of color.
I believe in an end to the prison industrial complex in America and a renewed justice system that is based on fairness and truth.
I believe in universal global health care based on Integrative Medicine, so that our bodies are acknowledged and treated as one system, and we can help control the spread of diseases like AIDS, Malaria, TB and Ebola.
I believe we have an ability to end poverty, oppression, and hopelessness that often breeds despair, terror, and violence.
I believe in common sense gun laws that serve to protect children and families and society from unnecessary violence.
I believe in Peace & Love & Unity.
I believe that this vision can be a reality.
And, it’s not about me. It’s about WE.
Together we can give birth to a kinder and more peaceful world for ALL children.
Our souls were brought together so that we can love each other sister, brother. We Are Here. We are here for all of us. That's why #WeAreHere.
Sent with Light,
Alicia Keys
Alicia will perform the song for the first time, tonight, on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
In new music videos...
Elle Varner teams up with A$AP Ferg on her latest track "Don't Wanna Dace." The pairing might seem odd, but the song is very infectious and has a pretty melody. It will appear on her sophomore album 4 Letter Word (due this fall). Speaking of the disc, she said, “It’s an open letter. It’s my heart. It’s my feelings. It’s my growth. I talked about a lot of the coming-of-age things that girls go through and now I’m a young woman and going through different stuff, so you’ll hear about it.” Check out the party track above...
Speaking of new music...
Since hardly anyone bought Mary J Blige's last album (the low-selling Think Like A Man 2 soundtrack) she packed her bags and is heading to London to redefine herself. "Right Now" is the first song to leak from Mary's time across the pond, which is billed as "The London Sessions." The track was penned by Disclosure, you'll recall that Mary caused a frenzy online when she popped up on the group's massive hit "F For You".
She told The Guardian,“Our idea was to become part of London, to really embrace the culture, to really live in it. The music is free over here the way it used to be in the States. Artists are just free to do what they love. Listening to the radio you can hear the freedom. The music is living and breathing—you can hear that from Adele’s last album.”
The London Sessions is expected to drop in November. Are you feeling Mary's British influence?
