JAYFORCE

Music video for “Black America Again” – the title track of Common’s album. Produced by Karriem Riggins and Robert Glasper. Featuring Stevie Wonder. With Esperanza Spalding on bass. With Scratches by J Rock. With Patrick Warren on strings. With ad libs by Chuck D and MC Lyte.

With the most unpalatable dose of truths delivered in a Hip-Hop suspension. Damn. Just as the start of the video forces us to relive the killing of Alton Sterling and opens the wound, Common drops in a cauterizing truth… that we have to stop killing each other, too. THEN through more lyricism, audio samples from Black noteworthies, and that driving beat, Common continues the uncomfortable conversation and intervention.

Moving. Powerful. Like Hip-Hop is supposed to be. A Golden Era vet utilizing rap as the voice of the culture it was meant to be. Here’s the emotional lineup: You will start with your eyes on the screen, then they will water, you’ll raise a hand to wipe them away, ball it into a fist as the hand lowers, nod in agreement with the music AND message, then RAISE YOUR FIST at the end.

#BlackLivesMatter
#BlackAmericaAgain
#CommonSenseAgain