New Music: Common Feat. Bilal – “Letter to the Free”

After premiering “Letter to the Free” with Bilal at the White House, Common delivers the official studio version of the politically- and socially-charged anthem.

Over a soulful, jazzy, and evocative instrumental, the Chicago spitter shares his perspective on the current state of affairs in this country.

“We staring in the face of hate again,” he raps. “The same hate they say will make America great again / No consolation prize for the dehumanized / For America to rise is a matter of Black Lives.”

“Letter to the Free” is a single that appears in Ava DuVernay’s Netflix documentary 13th, but it’s also a track on Common’s upcoming album, Black America Again.

The 15-track project features Bilal prominently on four cuts, but it also includes appearances by Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Marsha Ambrosius, and BJ the Chicago Kid, among others.

Black America Again is due Nov. 4.

BLACK AMERICA AGAIN TRACKLISTING

1. “Joy and Peace” feat. Bilal
2. “Home” feat. Bilal
3. “Word From Moe Luv Interlude”
4. “Black America Again” feat. Stevie Wonder
5. “Love Star” feat. Marsha Ambrosius & PJ
6. “On a Whim Interlude”
7. “Red Wine” feat. Syd & Elena
8. “Pyramids”
9. “A Moment in the Sun Interlude”
10. “Unfamiliar” feat. PJ
11. “A Bigger Picture Called Free” feat. Syd & Bilal
12. “The Day Women Took Over” feat. BJ the Chicago Kid
13. “Rain” feat. John Legend
14. “Little Chicago Boy” feat. Tasha Cobbs
15. “Letter to the Free” feat. Bilal