2020 song of the Year

If someone told me that they foreseen the things currently happening in 2020 would be taking place. From systemic racism , police brutality , a world wide pandemic and disunity within a nation as social injustices. To be honest , I probably would not have believed them.

In a time of disheartening dismay , music has always been my therapist . In the happiest moments to the saddest .

Music is like a harmonious language . It is a method of understanding A persons emotions or story. With music, It’s a form of expression. All from happiness, sadness, rage, and fear . Whatever the emotion is that we need to feel, music can help to allow a person to sit back and just feel whatever is happening at that very moment.

Have you ever listened to a song and instead of singing super loud , you rewind the track continuously over again to hear that one Catchy line or chorus ? Thinking , “Did I miss it ? Wait I need to hear it again. That line that really caught your ear and your heart? Or Maybe it is the whole song that just “gets you.” Makes your heart dance .

So the question remains , What Anthem would be describe 2020 ?

I would have to chose . 2020: Riots How many Times by Trey Songz

Musically, this song articulates the fears, exhaustion and overall pain that black people all over the world are feeling at this very moment . Whether you scream this song from the mountain tops , blasted loud in your car . Contrary to popular belief , music sounds so much better in a car . Or you hum it in your head ,you definitely will feel how powerful it is.

The opening line of this powerful song , is with a voice-over by Trey Songz

“Hmm I just gotta get some things off my chest

“Tough times, I hope y'all holdin' up”

We gon' be aight 'cause we always is”

When I heard the opening , I felt it within my entire soul.

I admire the fact he’s Showing his vulnerability, and expressing the feelings and thoughts men are usually taught to suppress. He used his music ability and platform to say the things many are felling but are too scared to say .

The powerful lyrics continue throughout the song: “All these beautiful precious Black lives lost in the name of senseless White pride.”

This particular song gives an illustration of the current events and ways many Black people like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor have been killed due to police brutality and systemic racism.

My perception of this beautiful constructed song is to shed light to what has been going on globally. Acknowledging the injustice and demand for change . Ignorance is no longer being accepted or tolerated . “

The main chorus says;

“How many more marches?

“How many more signs?”

“How many more lives”

“How many more times?”

I feel it represents the recent events in the world perfectly . Taking in each lyric and Knowing that we are all in this together, not only brings some comfort, it also brings hope and encouragement that change will come in the midst of tragedy.

There is not a day that goes by where I do not listen to that song. It Let’s me know I am not the only one who feels the pain but still hopeful for A better Place. Coming together we can change the world and make A difference .

Hopefully to come the textbooks and schools curriculums will be modified to highlight such a powerful year 2020 was . In turn it Will allow others to be be properly educated about the true black history and systematic racism .

- Simply Shan