Janelle Monáe Shares Guest-Filled New Single ‘Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout)’

Janelle Monáe shared “Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout),” a new protest song featuring Beyoncé, Brittany Howard, Alicia Keys and others. The song is a sequel to Monáe’s 2015 release, “Hell You Talmbout.”

Others contributing to “Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout)” include Prof. Kimberlé Crenshaw, Chloe x Halle, Tierra Whack, Isis V., Zoë Kravitz, Asiahn, Mj Rodriguez, Jovian Zayne, Angela Rye, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Brittany Packnett-Cunningham and Alicia Garza. Monáe released the new song in honor of Sunday’s International Daughters Day, with proceeds going to the African American Policy Forum organization. While “Hell You Talmbout,” was intended to honor American Black men who died from police brutality, its sequel focuses on Black women who have suffered similar violence.

Monáe issued the below statement regarding “Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout)”:

“This International Daughter’s Day and we are proud to stand with the African American Policy Forum’s #SayHerName Mothers Network & Kimberlé Crenshaw as we honor the Black women and girls who lost their lives at the hands of police. We support the tireless work that #SayHerName has been doing for years to help bring these mothers justice for their daughters. This work is too important to do alone and can only be sustained through our collective voices. We take up this call to action as daughters ourselves trying to create a world where stories like these are no longer commonplace. This is a rally cry. We aim to give reverence to the countless Black women and girls who should be with us today. And to their mothers who have suffered this unbearable loss. They matter. Their names matter. Their stories matter. And justice needs to be served. May we all commit ourselves to protecting Black women and girls and making systemic changes to protect our sisters from the abuse of power in the police force. Please join us and #SayHerName.”

The 17-minute song amplifies the names of Rekia Boyd, Latasha Nicole Walton, Atatiana Jefferson, Kendra James, Priscilla Slater, Yuvette Henderson, Renee Davis, Kyam Livingston, Cynthia Fields, Kindra Chapman, India Kager, Shelly Frey, LaJuana Phillips, Kisha Michael, Dannette Daniels, Crystal Ragland, Pamela Turner, Latandra Ellington, Crystalline Barnes, Korryn Gaines, Michelle Cusseaux, India Cummings, Sandra Bland, Symone Marshall, Yvette Smith, Margaret Mitchell, Mya Hall, Tyisha Miller, Alesia Thomas, Kayla Moore, Alberta Spruill, Breonna Taylor, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, Nizah Morris, LaTanya Haggerty, Layleen Polanco, Shereese Francis, Sheneque Proctor, April Webster, Kathryn Johnston, Michelle Shirley, India Beaty, Tanisha Anderson, Sandy Guardiola, Shukri Ali Said, Duanna Johnson, Eleanor Bumpurs, Jessica Williams, Sarah Riggins, Charleena Lyles, Sharmel Edwards, Deborah Danner, Joyce Curnell, Natasha McKenna, Darnesha Harris, Pearlie Golden, Miriam Carey and Tarika Wilson.

Stream “Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout)” here: