Baltimore riots: Prince records tribute song after Freddie Gray dies in police custody

The legendary singer-songwriter has taken to the studio to address the issue

Prince played a series of surprise gigs in London earlier this year

(Getty Images)

Prince has expressed his emotion over the recent unrest in Baltimore by recording new music in tribute.

The “Purple Rain” singer has penned a song criticising the shooting of black men by police after Freddie Gray's death in police custody sparked riots this month.

Prince's publicist revealed yesterday that the track will pay homage to the people of Baltimore while also addressing wider social and political issues in the US.

The song title and release date are yet to be announced but it was recorded this week at the 56-year-old's Paisley Park Studios.

Prince, who referenced the “Black Lives Matter” campaign on stage at the Grammy Awards in February, is by no means the first artist to demand action over the killing of African-Americans. Beyonce, Rihanna, John Legend and Azealia Banks are among those to speak up after recent high-profile cases.

The official artwork for Prince's Baltimore song

Gray, 25, died on 19 April a week after being arrested. It was announced today that murder charges are to be brought against the officers who detained him.