Fly

Album: Single Release Only (2015)
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Songfacts®:

  • On August 9, 2014, an unarmed 18-year-old black youth, Michael Brown, was shot dead by a white police officer, Darren Wilson, in Ferguson, Missouri. The tragedy prompted a series of stand-offs between activists, Ferguson locals and cops as well as much coverage and debate in the United States media.

    This tender, emotional track was written by Raury immediately after he learned that Darren Wilson was not being indicted for killing Michael Brown. "'Fly' is a reset button on the revolution," the Atlanta singer declared. "'Fly' is an ode to the ones who were wrongfully murdered, mourning the deaths and also looking on the bright side to help us find peace in the fact that they are in a better place, they fly in heaven now."
  • Malik Shakur, a nephew of activist Assata Shakur, speaks about his hopes for the future of his own offspring during a spoken-word outro. Raury explained his "best friend" Malik, "felt the need to express his hope for the future and the growth of black excellence."

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