Janelle Monáe has released a powerful music video for her new single Turntables, depicting the struggles for racial equality throughout history.
The US hitmaker, 34, donned a traditional grey suit to appear in the video, which features historical footage of protests against police brutality and racial oppression in the US.
Janelle’s video will feature in the upcoming documentary All In: The Fight for Democracy, which examines the history of voter oppression in the US and the activists who campaigned for equal rights.
Brutal: Janelle Monáe has released a powerful music video for her new single Turntables, depicting the struggles for racial equality throughout history
In the video Janelle’s traditional ensemble contrasts with the modern day setting as she is intercut with scenes of protests and demonstrations of racial equality.
These range throughout history, from the iconic displays of defiance of the 1960s to the recent resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement.
It also includes worldwide known moments such as the 1968 Olympics Black Power salute, which saw Tommie Smith and John Carlos raise their gloved fists during the US national anthem after receiving their medals.
Serious: The US hitmaker appeared in the video which features historical footage of protests against police brutality and racial oppression in the US
Dark: The video also features moments of defiance throughout the past century, following the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement
Historic: In the video Janelle dons a traditional grey suit as she raps about how attitudes are changing
Poignant: Janelle’s video will feature in the upcoming documentary All In: The Fight for Democracy, which examines the history of voter oppression in the US
Janelle raps about the changes in conversation around racial equality in recent years, saying: ‘We kicking out the old regime / Liberation, elevation, education / I said ‘America, yousa lie’ / But the whole world ’bout to testify.’
The video then cuts between herself Janelle in front of the US flag, and a girl appearing to watch these moments through a VR headset.
Since George Floyd was killed by police in May, the issues of racial equality and police brutality have taken centre stage, and sparked worldwide protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Recognised: Since George Floyd was killed by police in May, the issues of racial equality and police brutality have taken centre stage
Important: The video is intercut with glimpses of modern African Americans, who have been a the centre of protesting against police brutality
On Tuesday Janelle also joined a slew of stars to attend the drive-in screening for her newest horror Antebellum, which is being released on-demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the film the actress plays a modern-day woman transported back in time to a pre-Civil War plantation in the South.
The film follows her as she attempts to escape from the slavery she finds herself in and get back to her own time period, bringing other slaves with her.
Iconic: It features plenty of historic footage from protests throughout history, both recent and as far back as the 1960s when the original Civil Rights movement gained worldwide attention
‘Tables are turning’: In the song Janelle raps about the changes in conversation around racial equality in recent years
Progress: In the video Janelle’s 1940s wartime uniform contrasts with the modern day setting as she is intercut with scenes of protests and demonstrations of racial equality
At Sunday night’s screening, Monae told Variety that the movie ‘reminds us that the past is not the past.
She explained: ‘The past is not even dead and I think the film is very timely and does a great job, an exceptional job of linking and connecting the dots of the past, the present and what could be our future.’
The actress added: ‘I’m very honoured to stand here and represent for Black women who have been dismantling white supremacy and systemic racism for centuries.’
Coming soon: The video’s release coincides with the premiere of Janelle’s movie Antebellum, which sees a modern woman transported to a pre-Civil War plantation in the South
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