Jamila Woods Releases Soulful New Song “Baldwin”

Jamila Woods has released the official lyric video to her new song “Baldwin.” This soulful selection comes from Woods’ forthcoming LEGACY! LEGACY! LP.

Throughout the song, it became clear that there was a story that Woods wanted to get across through her lyrics.

Somebody’s daddy always laid out on the street
And for what?
We’re on the street
And for what?
Your precious lethal fear
Your precious lethal fear

You could change a hood just by showing your face
Condo climbing high, now the block is erased
(You don’t get it, get it)
You clutch on your purse, now you crossing the street
Brother caught your eye, now you callin’ police
(You don’t get it, get it)
It’s a casual violence in your speech and your silence
It’s un-natural science, you too comfortable lying

According to the press release, Woods attributes her inspiration for her new single to the work of James Baldwin.

“Baldwin is a song inspired by the work of James Baldwin, particularly the “Letter to My Nephew” in his book The Fire Next Time. He had an incredible ability to speak about whiteness in a way that was hard-hitting and nuanced, and delivered some of the most elegant reads to white America, providing me a lens to think about how I see whiteness at work in my world today.”