Janelle Monáe and Jidenna—who's the leader of the #JidennaHive—led a march in Philadelphia protesting police brutality. Billboard reports that the artists and residents marched on Wednesday (Aug. 12) carrying signs that read: "Black Girl Magic," "Black Joy" and "Black Lives Matter." Jidenna tweeted that the event was a "Black Joy Celebration Demonstration"

"You're going to say his name and say her name," said Monae. "Can I get a clap?" Photos and videos began to surface on social media showing Monae and Jidenna marching and chanting. “They say a question lives forever, until it gets the answer it deserves,” Monáe continued. “Won’t you say their names? Can we say their names right now? Can we speak their names, as long as we have breath in our bodies?”

Earlier this week video of 37-year-old Ralkina Jones asking officers for medical treatment, saying, “I don’t want to die in your cell” went public. Jones died in jail under police custody a 15 hours after asking for help, the second black woman to die under police watch within the last couple of months. The first was Sandra Bland who was arrested in Prairie View, Tx., following a routine traffic stop and three days later, found dead in her cell at Waller County Jail.

See footage of the Philly march below.


An Urban Cusp Exclusive Video

An Urban Cusp Exclusive VideoWondaland artists, including Janelle Monáe and Jidenna, start their Eephus tour in Philly by joining a #BlackLivesMatter rally and release new song - "hell you talmbout."

Posted by Urban Cusp on Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Say their names! #BLM #blacklivesmatter #HYTB #theeephustour #welcometothefuture

A video posted by Wondaland Records (@wondaland) on

"March through the streets cause I'm willing and I'm able." #Queen #Theeephustour #wondaland

A photo posted by Wondaland Records (@wondaland) on

Jidenna and Janelle Monae were also in Times Square in New York City today (Aug. 13) and joined in protest against police brutality. See footage below.

In support of the march Janelle Monae and her label, Wondaland Records, released their rally cry against racially-motivated violence titled "Hell You Talmbount." They left the following message to go along with the song. Listen to the record and read their message below.


This song is a vessel.

It carries the unbearable anguish of millions.

We recorded it to channel the pain, fear, and trauma
caused by the ongoing slaughter of our brothers and sisters.

We recorded it to challenge the indifference, disregard,
and negligence of all who remain quiet about this issue.

Silence is our enemy. Sound is our weapon.

They say a question lives forever until it gets the answer it deserves...

Won't you say their names?

- Wondaland

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