Trey Songz Sheds Light on Injustice in "2020 Riots: How Many Times"
“I just wanted to speak to everyone’s hearts and acknowledge the pain and anguish everyone is going through right now.”
Artists around the world have expressed their sentiments about the ongoing racial justice movement through a myriad of song releases in the last few weeks (and the many impassioned, justice-based soundtracks produced over the course of history). Trey Songz has now added his take to the mix through a new single titled “2020 Riots: How Many Times,” expressing his shared sentiments through a mellow record produced by Troy Taylor.
“How many mothers have to cry, how many brothers have to die,” Songz says in the chorus. He continues addressing the ongoing protests, stating “how many more marches? How many more signs? How many more lives? How many more times?”
Songz explained that his own decision to protest on the frontlines is what inspired him to complete the track. He stated:
“Three or four nights ago I woke up in the middle of my sleep…I couldn’t sleep. My chest was hurting. I got up and called my producer, Troy Taylor and I said ‘We’ve got to make music that really touches the soul, that really addresses what the world is feeling right now. Especially our people.’ So we came up with ‘2020 Riots: How Many Times.’ With the words in this song I just wanted to speak to everyone’s hearts and acknowledge the pain and anguish everyone is going through right now.”
Songz added that while it isn’t his usual message, “this is the person I’ve always been.”
A portion of the proceeds from the record will go toward Black Lives Matter and the Community Justice Exchange’s National Bail Fund Network. Listen to “2020 Riots: How Many Times” in the player above or stream it now below.
For more in music, check out Leon Bridges’ new single “Sweeter” featuring Terrace Martin.
