When will the "last" time be the LAST time?

Brooklyn, NY -- Four months after its JUNETEENTH 2020 release, Chris Oledude's single "George Floyd" was re-presented in the video entitled "George Floyd: Say Their Names."

"The murder of George Floyd focused attention on police brutality against people of color, and racism in general, in a way that few moments have in American history," says Chris Oledude. "As an artist, I had to speak out in my way, right away, because I was just as angry as everyone else."

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was nearly impossible to record this song the way he heard it in his head, says Oledude, but it was going to be recorded somehow.

"This song came together over the course of a few days as I witnessed -- with gratitude, tears and surprise -- the breadth and depth of the emerging multi-racial 'change coalition.'"

Oledude gathered socially-distanced vocalists in an upstate backyard to supplement the tracks he had created digitally. The result is a powerful and somber, yet rhythmic, memorial march.

The video, filmed in the heart of Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant community, highlights the perspective of women -- victims, witnesses, survivors, and those left behind to address the consequences of police brutality. The video also re-presents the action agenda that will be pursued by everyone is seeking real changes by law enforcement in this nation.

For Chris Oledude, art is an essential part of the struggle for social justice -- and art requires both creators and consumers. He is appealing to both casual listeners and fans: "Please spread the word to your friends to buy this song, to 'rock the message,' and to support change."

Chris Oledude wants this recording to generate resources for those on the front lines of the street and legal struggles. Accordingly, every penny in revenue generated by sales will be donated to three non-profit organizations.

Chris Oledude acknowledges and greatly appreciates the work of the artists involved with the video's production, particularly the work of Co-Director and Editor, Alyssa Dann.

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“IT WAS A MORE THAN BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO HEAR IT! POWERFUL! LET THIS TRIBUTE REIGN!!!”

— JoeAnn C.

JUNETEENTH 2020 finds us in the middle of a significant social change moment.

The murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer has focused attention on police brutality against people of color, and racism in general, in a way that few moments have in American history.

Black people have risen up -- again -- to demand justice. This time, however, white allies have been stepping up to help ensure that meaningful changes take place. I have written songs protesting injustice before, but this song came together over the course of a few days as I witnessed -- with gratitude, tears and surprise -- the breadth and depth of the "change coalition" emerging.

On September 24, 2020, the uncle of Kenosha, WI, police brutality victim Jacob Blake reacted to the lack of police accountability regarding the murder of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, KY: “Success is for me and you to walk down the street together understanding that we have no fear of being pulled over,”... “Understanding that we will be treated as human beings, as humanity. Humanity is being mistreated, so it’s not just brown people, it’s all peoples but until we look at it like it's all people and not just some people then it won’t be everybody.” (The Hill)

We are fighting for our humanity -- and that means we will keep on marching and raising our voices until many changes are made.

"George Floyd" is a "benefit song." I will not keep a penny. Whatever funds are generated by the sale of this song will be distributed to three non-profit organizations engaged in the ongoing struggles for our safety, our respect, our dignity and our rights: Black Lives Matter (blacklivesmatter.com), the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (naacpldf.org), and the Alliance of Families for Justice (afj-ny.org).

Please spread the word to your friends to buy the song, "rock the message," and support change.

If you have not already seen the video "GEORGE FLOYD: SAY THEIR NAMES" please watch it through my website or directly on the ARTIVISTUS YOUTUBE CHANNEL. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1qZnA9UDYM&list=PLJ7SgMK9b9DOlJ-c41ZBnVPtI4tpfMv3T&index=1&ab_channel=ARTivistUS

I also urge you to visit the website of A SOULFUL HEART MEMORIALIZING GEORGE FLOYD, INC., formed to bring people together from different backgrounds to agitate for policy and culture changes. www.asoulfulheart.org. The 1st Annual George Floyd Memorial Concert took place on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at The Town Hall in New York City. You can see the livestream concert here: https://tinyurl.com/FloydTH