Jay Z drops new track 'Spiritual' in response to police brutality

"I'm hurt that I knew his death wouldn't be the last."
 By 
Johnny Lieu
 on 
Jay Z drops new track 'Spiritual' in response to police brutality
Jay Z performs onstage at the Barclays Center in New York City. Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Live Nation

Jay Z has spoken up about recent cases of police brutality in a new track.

Titled "Spiritual," it was made available on streaming service Tidal. It follows recent outpourings by celebrities and the public over the police shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.

The track also arrives at a particularly delicate time, with the news of 11 police officers shot during a protest in Dallas, Texas, on Thursday night. In a statement, Jay Z said that he made the song a while ago, but never got to finish it. 


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"Punch (TDE) told me I should drop it when Mike Brown died, sadly I told him, 'this issue will always be relevant.' I'm hurt that I knew his death wouldn't be the last," the statement reads. "I'm saddened and disappointed in THIS America - we should be further along. WE ARE NOT."

Jay Z ended the statement sending blessings to families who have lost loved ones to police brutality, then with a quote from African-American social reformer Frederick Douglass.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

You can listen to the track below:


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Topics Music

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Johnny Lieu

Mashable Australia's Web Culture Reporter.Reach out to me on Twitter at @Johnny_Lieu or via email at jlieu [at] mashable.com

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