As the demand for racial and LGBTQ+ justice continues to rise across the nation, many artists have held off on releasing projects in solitude. However, Khalid and Victoria Monet hope that their upcoming collaboration can provide a bit of positivity amid dark times.
In a statement written by Monet posted to both artists’ Instagrams on Tuesday (June 16), they announced that their untitled song will arrive on Friday (June 19). “To be honest, we’ve gone back and forth about releasing this song because of the disgusting and confusing state of the world,” the statement reads. “After a lot of thinking and feeling, we decided to continue with the plan to put it out, so we want to give some context on why.
“We’ve always used music as a form of escapism from troubling things,” the statement continues. “This song, though deep in subject matter, sonically simply feels joyful and celebratory. It’s important to us to highlight and celebrate Black joy and love in the middle of so much pain and trauma.”
Noting that June is both Black Music Month and Pride Month, Monet explained that she feels “my queer identity is another important celebration for me.” She went on to express that while the struggles of LGBTQ+ community and the Black community “are not the same, but they share the inspiring persistence in the relentless pursuit to be heard and seen, especially in difficult times like these.”
“We hope this brings some solace and joy to you. We hope the double ended message of this song is heard: based on experience, we want change!” the statement concludes. “We matter, we always have. Here’s to making changes and celebrating US the best ways we know how.”
See the full message below.
