Leon Bridges has a new album in the works, but was moved to share the song “Sweeter” — which he performed with Terrace Martin – given the death of George Floyd.
“The death of George Floyd was the straw that broke the camels back for me,” Bridges wrote as part of a longer statement on Instagram. “It was the first time I wept for a man I never met. I am George Floyd, my brothers are George Floyd, and my sisters are George Floyd. I cannot and will not be silent any longer. Just as Abel’s blood was crying out to God, George Floyd is crying out to me.”
The song itself is a mournful meditation on racism. Listen here and scroll down to read Bridges and Martin’s statements on the song.
Here’s what Bridges had to say:
Growing up in Texas I have personally experienced racism, my friends have experienced racism. From adolescence we’re taught how to conduct ourselves when we encounter police to avoid the consequences of being racially profiled. I have been numb for too long, calloused when it came to the issues of police brutality. The death of George Floyd was the straw that broke the camels back for me. It was the first time I wept for a man I never met. I am George Floyd, my brothers are George Floyd, and my sisters are George Floyd. I cannot and will not be silent any longer. Just as Abel’s blood was crying out to God, George Floyd is crying out to me. So, I present to you Sweeter.
And here’s Martin’s words:
It is always an honor to share a platform with my dear brother Leon Bridges. This is meditation music; it is not music for the ears but rather music for the heart. I truly believe that eyes have been deceiving us for so long but the heart always tells the truth. The heart needs to be repaired. Black folk have been deceived so many years, the only thing that can turn it around is a heart full of love.
