PE’S RETURN AND OTHER JUNETEENTH RELEASES

Public Enemy is back with a new song and video, “State of the Union (STFU),” which takes on “Donald Trump and his fascist regime.” PE is giving away the track at www.publicenemy.com starting on Juneteenth. It’s also streamable on the DSPs.

“Our collective voices keep getting louder,” says Chuck D. “The rest of the planet is on our side. But it’s not enough to talk about change. You have to show up and demand change. Folks gotta vote like their lives depend on it, ’cause it does.”

PE is one of several entities releasing music of protest and uplift on Juneteenth.

John Legend has released Bigger Love (Columbia), which he describes as “a celebration of love, joy, sensuality, hope and resilience, the things that make our culture so beautiful and influential.” Collaborators include Raphael Saadiq, Jhene Aiko, Gary Clark Jr., Anderson .Paak, Charlie Puth, Ryan Tedder, Teddy Geiger, Ricky Reed, Julia Michaels and Cautious Clay. Legend will celebrate the release with a special Juneteenth edition of the Instagram Live series Verzuz with Alicia Keys. Sunday night, he’ll host a one-hour variety special, John Legend and Family: A Bigger Love Father’s Day, at 8pm ET/PT on ABC.

Silence Is Not an Option is described as “a compilation of anthems from the ATO catalog that explore issues of identity, community, social justice and resistance.” Tracks include Brittany Howard’s “Goat Head,” Black Pumas’ “Colors,” Benjamin Booker and Mavis Staples’ “Witness,” Drive-By Truckers’ “What It Means,” My Morning Jacket’s “I’m Amazed” and Chicano Batman’s “Invisible People,” as well as Emily King’s newly written “See Me.”

After joining in the protests, Wale hit the studio and quickly recorded six new songs, which are gathered on the EP The Imperfect Storm (Warner Records). The single is “June 5th / QueenZnGodZ.”

The Resistance Revival Chorus have released a video for their recording of “Ella's Song,” a tribute to the Civil Rights activist Ella Baker first recorded by Sweet Honey in the Rock in 1988. The clip gathers footage and photos of the recent protests that have taken place following George Floyd's murder. The track will be made available for streaming and download on 7/2 via Righteous Babe Records. The RRC will donate 100% of the proceeds for the year to the Movement for Black Lives.