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Beyoncé marks Juneteenth by dropping surprise song “Black Parade”

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Kevin Winter/Getty Images for CoachellaBeyoncé commemorated Juneteenth on Friday with a surprise new song called “Black Parade,” co-written by her husband, Jay-Z.

The song celebrates black heritage and empowerment amid the ongoing movement for racial justice.

“Happy Juneteenth Weekend! I hope we continue to share joy and celebrate each other, even in the midst of struggle,” Beyoncé shared on Instagram, along with the new song. “Please continue to remember our beauty, strength and power.”

In the lyrics, Bey alludes to the nationwide protests following the murder of George Floyd, who died while in custody of Minnesota police, singing “Rubber bullets bouncin’ off me/Made a picket sign off your picket fence.”

“Put your fists up in the air, show black love,” she adds. “Need peace and reparation for my people.”

The song also makes reference to the COVID-19 pandemic in the line, “Fly on the runway in my hazmat,” and gives a shout out to Tamika Mallory, a prominent activist in the Women’s March and Black Lives Matter movements.

“Black Parade” benefits BeyGOOD’s Black Business Impact Fund — administered by the National Urban League — to support black-owned small businesses in need.

By George Costantino
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