Prince To Release New Song “Baltimore” Via Tidal, Teams With Live Nation For “Rally 4 Peace” Concert

There is a long and mixed history of musicians taking stands, writing songs and doing concerts to support causes. But it really is news when the usually reclusive and apolitical Prince pens a new tune and schedules a benefit concert in reaction to the recent unrest in Baltimore.

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Prince announced that in light of the recent civil unrest in Baltimore, that he and his funk-rock group 3RDEYEGIRL would be staging a special concert in the city.  Dubbed the Rally 4 Peace, the Live Nation promoted show will take place at the Royal Farms Arena on Sunday, May 10th. 

The concert is “meant to be a catalyst for pause and reflection following the outpouring of violence that has gripped Baltimore and areas throughout the U.S.” said a statement about the concert from Live Nation.

Live Nation also said that Prince would be joined in the concert by other "industry superstars" but has not announced additional names for the lineup yet. A portion of the proceeds from the concert will go to local Baltimore-based youth charities. 

Live Nation said Prince has also recorded a protest song called “Baltimore," as a response to the unfortunate events in the city. 

UPDATE: The yet unreleased song will likely get its first exposure on TIDAL. "We're going to talk to Jay-Z and his people about streaming it on ‘Tidal',” Prince said in an interview.  

The official song lyrics:

BALTIMORE
lyrics by Prince
NPG RECORDS, copyright 2015

NOBODY GOT IN NOBODY'S WAY
SO EYE GUESS U COULD SAY
IT WAS A GOOD DAY
AT LEAST A LITTLE BETTER THAN THE DAY IN BALTIMORE

DOES ANYBODY HEAR US PRAY?
4 MICHAEL BROWN OR FREDDIE GRAY PEACE IS MORE THAN THE ABSENCE OF WAR
ABSENCE OF WAR

R WE GONNA C ANOTHER BLOODY DAY?
WE'RE TIRED OF CRYIN' & PEOPLE DYIN'
LET'S TAKE ALL THE GUNS AWAY

ABSENCE OF WAR- U AND ME
MAYBE WE CAN FINALLY SAY
ENUFF IS ENUFF IT'S TIME 4 LOVE

IT'S TIME 2 HEAR,
IT'S TIME 2 HEAR

THE GUITAR PLAY! (guitar solo)

The civil unrest in Baltimore was sparked by the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray while in Police Custody. Gray's death led to days of street protests, some of which turned violent.

via CelebrityAccess

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