Prince Wants Justice and Peace in New Song ‘Baltimore’

Prince has released a song calling for peace as well as bring light to the death of Freddie Gray and the Baltimore protests.

Released on Saturday morning (May 9), "Baltimore" was recorded earlier this month at Paisley Park Studios in Chanhassen, Minn. Inspired but saddened by what has been happening in the U.S. with the events in Ferguson, Mo. and Baltimore, his lyrics are very honest and clearly from the heart.

“Nobody got in nobody's way / So I guess you could say it was a good day / At least a little better than the day in Baltimore / Does anybody hear us pray? For Michael Brown or Freddie Gray / Peace is more than the absence of war," he sings on the first verse, which you can listen to above.

While it has a pop funk and disco grove, "Baltimore" carries a strong rhythm that puts it in perfect company with other iconic protest songs like Bob Dylan's "Times They Are a-Changin'," especially when it gets to the bridge. "If there ain't no justice / Then there ain't no peace," Prince and his band, 3RDEYEGIRL, chant midway through the song.

Prince explained how the song came to be with a statement on its SoundCloud page:

The original recording subsequently became a demo when Prince, that very same night - all alone in Studio A, played all the instruments on an entire new version of the song. The next morning Joshua Welton and Kirk Johnson transferred Prince's tracks in2 Studio B. and mixing began. As the song neared completion at Prince's behest Eryn Allen Kane graciously flew in on a moment's notice and graced the track with her angelic presence.

Speaking of presence, Prince was not during Eryn's vocal sessions. After being given the green light by Prince, via the studio intercom, Ms. Kane basically listened down 2 the track a few times and instinctively knew what was needed.

On Mother's Day (May 10), Prince will be hosting and performing at a concert, Rally 4 Peace, in Baltimore. TIDAL will be streaming the event for its members for free while non-members can watch it via a "pre-paywall." This means you won't be subscribing by paying this one-time fee for the show. And TIDAL will also "match funds" for any donation that will be given through the site. Proceeds will go to local charities and the Baltimore Justice Fund.