T.I. and Skylar Grey Lament America’s Culture of Violence on Powerful ‘New National Anthem’

In the wake of the ongoing chaos sparked by the fatal shooting of unarmed teen Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO., rapper T.I. has released a politically charged new track. The song, titled “New National Anthem,” serves as a sprawling rumination addressing police brutality, systemic racism, gun culture and a laundry list of other social problems currently plaguing the U.S.

T.I. tapped songstress Skylar Grey for the solemn hook: “Home of the brave and free / Free just to murder me / Land of the beautiful / Cursed by the hate we throw / Is this the new national anthem?” The rapper posted a snippet of the track on his Instagram, saying “I know dis may ruffle some feathers…. But my people need to hear this…. BAD!!!” Earlier this week, he posted an open letter asserting that “America has created a monster.”

Read the full lyrics of “New National Anthem” here, and listen below: