In 2015, trailblazing artist Janelle Monaé released her poignant protest track “HELL YOU TALMBOUT,” that screamed the names of the many Black people murdered by police. Years later, death as a result of police brutality is still a critical issue. Today, Monaé has released the fortified rallying cry against police brutality with “Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout).” It’s a 17-minute track that states the 60+ Black women who have been killed by police.
These are their names: Rekia Boyd, Latasha Nicole Walton, Atatiana Jefferson, Kendra James, Priscilla Slater, Yuvette Henderson, Renee Davis, Kyam Livingston, Cynthia Fields, Kindra Chapman, India Kager, Shelly Frey, LaJuana Phillips, Kisha Michael, Dannette Daniels, Crystal Ragland, Pamela Turner, Latandra Ellington, Crystalline Barnes, Korryn Gaines, Michelle Cusseaux, India Cummings, Sandra Bland, Symone Marshall, Yvette Smith, Margaret Mitchell, Mya Hall, Tyisha Miller, Alesia Thomas, Kayla Moore, Alberta Spruill, Breonna Taylor, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, Nizah Morris, LaTanya Haggerty, Layleen Polanco, Shereese Francis, Sheneque Proctor, April Webster, Kathryn Johnston, Michelle Shirley, India Beaty, Tanisha Anderson, Sandy Guardiola, Shukri Ali Said, Duanna Johnson, Eleanor Bumpurs, Jessica Williams, Sarah Riggins, Charleena Lyles, Sharmel Edwards, Deborah Danner, Joyce Curnell, Natasha McKenna, Darnesha Harris, Pearlie Golden, Miriam Carey, and Tarika Wilson.
“Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout)” has brought together a variety of artists and activists to bring the song to life and keep the memories of these mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, and cousins alive in their name. Monáe is joined with vocals from Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Chlöe x Halle, Tierra Whack, Isis V., Zoë Kravitz, Brittany Howard, Prof. Kimberlé Crenshaw, Asiahn, MJ Rodriguez, Jovian Zayne, Angela Rye, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Brittany Packnett-Cunningham, and Alicia Garza.
“This work is too important to do alone and can only be sustained through our collective voices,” Monáe said in a statement. “We take up this call to action as daughters ourselves trying to create a world where stories like these are no longer commonplace. This is a rally cry.” For the release of “Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout),” Monáe has partnered with African American Policy Forum with proceeds going towards the organization. Its release also comes before International Daughter’s Day which is this Sunday, September 26.
Listen to the song below and donate to the African American Policy Forum here.
Tomorrow, We are joining the @AAPolicyForum to remember our sisters, Black women + girls, who have lost their lives to police violence. Please join us as we #SayHerName in honor of #InternationalDaughtersDay.
Trailer edited by, Tyler A. Dixon pic.twitter.com/godSJVlC7R
— Janelle Monáe, Cindi Mayweather???????????????????? (@JanelleMonae) September 23, 2021
