Lady Gaga and Trayvon Martin

[andwhat]

How do you feel about this? They were briefly talking about this on the radio this morning and I guess some black people are upset that she made this song. I have not heard it yet, but I know Lady Gaga has a large, diverse fan base and she has written songs about other disenfranchised groups (mostly gay people). I don't really have an issue with her using her platform to bring light to this issue. Thoughts?

CNN

(CNN) — Lady Gaga is opening up about what could become one of the most talked about songs on her forthcoming new album, "Joanne."

In an interview with Beats 1, the singer spoke about penning "Angel Down," a song about 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, whose shooting death in 2012 launched the Black Lives Matter movement.



The Grammy Award-winning performer said she wrote the track in response to "the epidemic of young African-Americans being murdered in this country."

"I was overwhelmed by the fact that people just stood around and didn't do anything about it, and that the justice system continues to, over and over again, not seek justice for these families," she told host Zane Lowe.

The song, which will be on the album out October 21, is not yet available for streaming. But Lady Gaga previewed the lyrics: "Doesn't everyone belong in the arms of the sacred/ Why do we pretend we're wrong has our young courage faded / Shots were fired down the street by the church where we used to meet/ Angel down, angel down, why do people just stand around?"

The singer acknowledged that she wrestled with her authority to speak on the issue as a non-African-American. She ultimately concluded that it was her duty to speak to her fans, some of whom have told her about their feelings of anxiety.

"They tell me they drive in their cars, and if they hear a siren, there is a paranoia that runs through their body, that they freeze up, that they can't think. This is a tremendous anxiety," she said. "This is something that I care about. This is something that has to stop, something that we all need to heal from."

She added: "How can I not say something?" How could I possibly make an album about twerking my a-- in the club?... In my mind, I can't reckon it. It feels empty. It feels irrelevant."

"Joanne" will be the singer's fifth studio album.

[dr.girlfriend]

I don't see anything wrong with people who are creative making art around whatever inspires them. I don't think she's trying to be an authority on this issue or speak over black voices, she's just adding her voice to the chorus of concern.  In addition to her gay-friendly songs, she performed her song about sexual abuse at the Oscars, so I don't think using music to bring attention to social issues is new to her or something she's doing as a gimmick for album sales.

[sfy]

I would like everyone with something negative to say about this to please have an extra helping of STFU with a side of GTFOH.

[raangoli]

I personally think it's great that she is using her music to support the BLM movement. She is an incredibly popular artist and I am glad to see that she's taken the time to consider how she can use her voice (no pun intended) to support an important cause.

[calle28]

I don't see anything wrong with this at all. She has a voice and she's using her celebrity for a great cause.

This makes me like her even more. I'm interested to hear the song when it drops.

[andwhat]

Oct 24, 2016 8:48:41 GMT -5 calle28 said:

I don't see anything wrong with this at all. She has a voice and she's using her celebrity for a great cause.

This makes me like her even more. I'm interested to hear the song when it drops.

I think the album came out on the 21st. I am going to try to listen later.

[andwhat]

Ok. I thought something was wrong with me. I just didn't understand how people could have an issue with this. Now like I said I haven't heard the song, but the lyrics I read don't seem like she is trying to appropriate black pain or anything. She seems to be trying to bring light to an issue that has touched her and she admits has touched her fans. And it may bring the issue to the minds of some of her fans who have not really paid attention (don't know how that would be).

[calle28]

Oct 24, 2016 9:06:16 GMT -5 andwhat said:

Oct 24, 2016 8:48:41 GMT -5 calle28 said:

I don't see anything wrong with this at all. She has a voice and she's using her celebrity for a great cause.

This makes me like her even more. I'm interested to hear the song when it drops.

I think the album came out on the 21st. I am going to try to listen later.

Reading fail. I thought the article said the song will not be on the album.

[thejackpot]

I think it is important for people who are moved to speak on what moves them. It makes us more connected to others if we speak up for their causes and walk this walk together. If I thought she were doing this to get likes or attention I would think differently.

[kicks]

Unless she had been previously singing praises about the KKK I see no problem with this.

[andwhat]

Oct 24, 2016 13:35:31 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

Who's having problem solving with this? Is it white people?

I don't understand how Gaga is doing anything wrong here.

I was listening to a black station, so I assumed it was black people, but they never specifically said. I think they felt like she was trying to monopolize on black tragedy. The part I heard was just the radio personalities talking about the song and mentioning the backlash. I had to get out the car before callers called in, but maybe they all said no this is good. IDK.

[childofhiphop]

From the article and Lady Gaga's comments about the song, it seems like she is supporting BLM. What is wrong with that? Especially since this isn't her first venture into supporting a social issue.

But... I'll hold out final opinion until I've actually heard the song and seen the lyrics.