New National Anthem
by T.I.

Album: Paperwork (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds T.I. rapping socially conscious lyrics over a military beat. The Atlanta native rhymes about some of the problems faced by black people in America today including crooked cops and inequality in the criminal justice system.
  • That's Skylar Grey crooning the gut-wrenching chorus. The Wisconsin singer-songwriter was a guest vocalist on Dr Dre's "I Need a Doctor" and Diddy-Dirty Money's "Coming Home." She also received a Grammy nomination for writing the chorus to Eminem's hit single with Rihanna, "Love The Way You Lie."
  • The song was released soon after the August 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri by a white cop. T.I. actually laid down the cut in 2013 after the George Zimmerman verdict for Trayvon. "Immediately when I heard it, I knew it was going to be a scary, impactful, profound record," he said. "It's so heavy with purpose and intent to shed light on a very, very taboo topic in America, which is the way young black people are treated, perceived and handled."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.