Hell You Talmbout by Janelle Monae and Wondaland Records (2015)

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Hell You Talmbout Cover

Hell You Talmbout is a protest song released on August 13, 2015 by Janelle Monáe and the members of Wondaland artist collective. The gospel song list names of African-Americans who died as a result of law enforcement and/or racial violence. The repetition of the victims’ names implores listeners to say the names of the dead. [1]

Janelle Monáe

Key Lyrics

Eric Garner, say his name

Eric Garner, say his name

Eric Garner, say his name

Eric Garner, won’t you say his name?

Trayvon Martin, say his name

Trayvon Martin, say his name

Trayvon Martin, say his name

Trayvon Martin, won’t you say his name? [2]

Black Empowerment

Monae’s Hell You Talmbout received positive reviews about the message of the song, it is described as simple yet unquestionably powerful by Fast Company, stating it will force listeners to remember the ones who have been murdered. While Stereogum called it less a song and more of a chant, with some gospel overtones, and emphasized that it is both "simple" and "effective". USA Today declared this song as a song of the week, praising the song's simple but stark approach of only listing names rather than describing circumstances, and attributing this to a desire to avoid "arguments that can quickly turn divisive and bitter. Not to miss, National Public Radio called it visceral and blistering. [3]

The lyrics of the song are simple and powerful, chanting names of black Americans killed by police and vigilantes, followed by the phrase say his name or say her name. Hell You Talmbout is a ground-level song in both execution and concept, Say Her Name is tag line originated on Twitter, #SayHerName. [4]

The group, Wondaland Records artists had issued a statement about their intention behind the track, a day after Monáe and Jidenna participated in a protest of police brutality in Philadelphia. This is not only as a protest but also as a tribute to those who have been victims of racially-motivated attacks and/or police brutality. The song would not be on the album, solely becoming the emotional urgent protest anthem. [5]

References