Janelle Monáe Addresses Voter Suppression and Social Injustice in New "Turntables" Music Video

GRAMMY Award-nominated singer, songwriter and actress Janelle Monáe dropped off her first new song since her 2018 album Dirty Computer late last week, releasing “Turntables”, an empowering anthem reminding listeners that positive change is right around the corner if you fight hard enough for it.

The song is the lead single from the Amazon Original Movie All In: The Fight for Democracy, a documentary examining the “insidious issue of voter suppression in the United States” in an effort to raise awareness ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Now Janelle has released the music video for the offering titled “Turntables [Emotional Picture]” and directed by Child. The powerful visual intercuts scenes of oppression with Black leaders, activists and prominent figures throughout history rising above. The country-wide Black Lives Matter marches are filmed from above while Janelle performs in front of USPS dropboxes and the American flag.

“We kicking out the old regime/ Liberation, elevation, education/ I said ‘America, you’s a lie/ But the whole world ’bout to testify,” she sings. All In is currently streaming in select theaters and will arrive exclusively on Amazon Prime on September 18. Janelle also stars in the psychological horror and thriller film Antebellum which is currently playing in theaters and on select streaming platforms.

Watch the “Turntables” visual above and stream Janelle’s new single below. In more music updates, revisit our new HYPEBEAST SOUNDS playlist featuring new songs from slowthai, James Blake, Action Bronson, Conway the Machine and more.