GEORGE FLOYD: SAY THEIR NAMES
When will the "last" time be the LAST time?
Brooklyn, NY -- Four months after its JUNETEENTH 2020 release, Chris Oledude's single "George Floyd" has now been re-presented in the video entitled "George Floyd: Say Their Names."
"The murder of George Floyd focused attention on police brutality against people of color, and racism in general, in a way that few moments have in American history," says Chris Oledude. "As an artist, I had to speak out in my way, right away, because I was just as angry as everyone else."
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was nearly impossible to record this song the way he heard it in his head, says Oledude, but it was going to be recorded somehow.
"This song came together over the course of a few days as I witnessed -- with gratitude, tears and surprise -- the breadth and depth of the emerging multi-racial 'change coalition.'"
Oledude gathered socially-distanced vocalists in an upstate backyard to supplement the tracks he had created digitally. The result is a powerful and somber, yet rhythmic, memorial march.
The video, filmed in the heart of Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant community, highlights the perspective of women -- victims, witnesses, survivors, and those left behind to address the consequences of police brutality. The video also re-presents the action agenda that will be pursued by everyone is seeking real changes by law enforcement in this nation.
For Chris Oledude, art is an essential part of the struggle for social justice -- and art requires both creators and consumers. He is appealing to both casual listeners and fans: "Please spread the word to your friends to buy this song, to 'rock the message,' and to support change."
Chris Oledude wants this recording to generate resources for those on the front lines of the street and legal struggles. Accordingly, every penny in revenue generated by sales will be donated directly to three non-profit organizations: engaged in the ongoing struggles for our safety, our respect, our dignity and our rights: Black Lives Matter (blacklivesmatter.com), the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (naacpldf.org), and the Alliance of Families for Justice (afj-ny.org).
Chris Oledude acknowledges and greatly appreciates the work of the artists involved with the video's production, particularly the work of Co-Director and Editor, Alyssa Dann.
