Hell You Talmbout

"Hell You Talmbout" is a 2015 protest song by Janelle Monáe and the members of her Wondaland artist collective, including Deep Cotton, George 2.0, Jidenna, Roman GianArthur, and St. Beauty.[1] It charted at #35 in its first week.[2] The word "talmbout" in the title is a condensed version of "talking about";[3] thus, the title asks "what the hell are you talking about?"

The song lists the names of various African-American men, women, and children who have died in encounters with law enforcement and/or racial violence, and implores listeners to say the names of the deceased.

Wondaland and Monáe subsequently released the instrumental track of the song, so that listeners could make their own versions.[4]

Names of the deceased


Reception

Fast Company described it as "simple yet unquestionably powerful", stating that it will force listeners to remember those who have been murdered.[5]

Stereogum called it "less a song and more of a chant, with some gospel overtones", and emphasized that it is both "simple" and "effective".[6]

USA Today declared it the 'song of the week', praising the song's "simple but stark approach" of only listing names rather than describing circumstances, and attributing this to a desire to avoid "arguments that can quickly turn divisive and bitter",[7] while National Public Radio called it "visceral" and "blistering".[8]

Transgender rights advocate Vita Elizabeth Cleveland recorded an answer song, "Hell Y'all Ain't Talmbout", which focuses on the names of murdered African-American transwomen.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Janelle Monáe and Wondaland Records Share Protest Song "Hell You Talmbout", by Eric Torres, at Pitchfork Media; published August 13, 2015; retrieved August 31, 2015
  2. ↑ Hailee Steinfeld Finds 'Love' on Billboard + Twitter Top Tracks, by Trevor Anderson, at Billboard; published August 20, 2015; retrieved August 31, 2015
  3. ↑ This is CNN, &c., by Jay Nordlinger, in National Review; published June 11, 2014; retrieved August 31, 2015
  4. ↑ Janelle Monae Asks Listeners To Record Personal Versions Of "Hell You Talmbout", by Elias Leight, at The Fader; published August 28, 2015; retrieved August 31, 2015
  5. ↑ Janelle Monáe's Protest Song Is A Heart-Rending Roll Call Of Injustices, by KC Ifeanyi, in Fast Company); published August 20, 2015; retrieved August 31, 2015
  6. ↑ Janelle Monáe, Jidenna, St. Beauty, Deep Cotton & Roman GianArthur – “Hell You Talmbout”, by Tom Breihan; in Stereogum; published August 13, 2015; retrieved August 31, 2015
  7. ↑ Song of the week: Monáe's 'Hell You Talmbout', by Brian Mansfield, in USA Today; published August 20, 2015; retrieved August 31, 2015
  8. ↑ Janelle Monáe Releases Visceral Protest Song, 'Hell You Talmbout', by Katie Presley, at National Public Radio; published August 18 2015; retrieved August 31, 2015
  9. ↑ WATCH: In Wake of Trans Murders, Janet Mock Teaches Us Why We Must #SayHerName, by Sunnivie Brydum, in the Advocate; published August 25, 2015; retrieved August 31, 2015

External links

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