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 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.
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures
Show all 22
After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures
1/22 Baltimore riots
Police and firefighters respond in front of a building that caught fire as protests of the death of Freddie Gray continue in Baltimore
2/22 Baltimore riots
A Baltimore firefighter cuts his way into a burning convenience store with a saw to attack a fire set by rioters at East Biddle Street and Montford Avenue in Baltimore
3/22 Baltimore riots
A Baltimore firefighter climbs onto a rooftop to attack a fire set by rioters in a convenience store and residence at East Biddle Street and Montford Avenue
4/22 Baltimore riots
Baltimore firefighters attack a fire in a convenience store and residence during clashes after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore
5/22 Baltimore riots
Gloria Darden, mother of Freddie Gray, covers her face during a news conference after a day of unrest following the funeral of Gray
6/22 Baltimore riots
The family of Freddie Gray gather with clergy and pray during a news conference in Baltimore
7/22 Baltimore riots
Rioters burned police vehicles and pelted officers with stones
AP
8/22 Baltimore riots
A man has pepper spray cleaned from his eyes
Getty Images
9/22 Baltimore riots
Baltimore police officers form a line in front of protesters
Getty Images
10/22 Baltimore riots
Looters ransacked shops and torched police cars amid the unrest
AP
11/22 Baltimore riots
A CVS chemist outlet burns in Baltimore after it was set alight by rioters
AP
12/22 Baltimore riots
The Shaheed family assess the damage to their store in downtown Baltimore
David Usborne
13/22 Baltimore riots
The riots broke out just a few streets from the church where the funeral was held
AP
14/22 Baltimore riots
A protester is detained in Baltimore following the funeral of Freddie Gray earlier in the day
AP
15/22 Baltimore riots
Police in front of a building that caught fire after being looted
EPA
16/22 Baltimore riots
A youth washes out pepper spray from his eyes near a building that caught fire after being looted
EPA
17/22 Baltimore riots
People pose for photographs on the hood of a Baltimore Police car destroyed by demonstrators
GETTY
18/22 Baltimore riots
The riots broke out just a few streets from the church where the funeral was held for Freddie Gray
GETTY
19/22 Baltimore riots
Demonstrators threw rocks and other objects at police following the funeral of Freddie Gray
AP
20/22 Baltimore riots
Arrests have been made, with many of those involved appearing to be school children and students
AP
21/22 Baltimore riots
Protests over Freddie Gray's death turned violent
Reuters
22/22 Baltimore riots
The circumstances surrounding Freddie Gray's death in custody still remain unclear
AP
1/22 Baltimore riots
Police and firefighters respond in front of a building that caught fire as protests of the death of Freddie Gray continue in Baltimore
2/22 Baltimore riots
A Baltimore firefighter cuts his way into a burning convenience store with a saw to attack a fire set by rioters at East Biddle Street and Montford Avenue in Baltimore
3/22 Baltimore riots
A Baltimore firefighter climbs onto a rooftop to attack a fire set by rioters in a convenience store and residence at East Biddle Street and Montford Avenue
4/22 Baltimore riots
Baltimore firefighters attack a fire in a convenience store and residence during clashes after the funeral of Freddie Gray in Baltimore
5/22 Baltimore riots
Gloria Darden, mother of Freddie Gray, covers her face during a news conference after a day of unrest following the funeral of Gray
6/22 Baltimore riots
The family of Freddie Gray gather with clergy and pray during a news conference in Baltimore
7/22 Baltimore riots
Rioters burned police vehicles and pelted officers with stones
AP
8/22 Baltimore riots
A man has pepper spray cleaned from his eyes
Getty Images
9/22 Baltimore riots
Baltimore police officers form a line in front of protesters
Getty Images
10/22 Baltimore riots
Looters ransacked shops and torched police cars amid the unrest
AP
11/22 Baltimore riots
A CVS chemist outlet burns in Baltimore after it was set alight by rioters
AP
12/22 Baltimore riots
The Shaheed family assess the damage to their store in downtown Baltimore
David Usborne
13/22 Baltimore riots
The riots broke out just a few streets from the church where the funeral was held
AP
14/22 Baltimore riots
A protester is detained in Baltimore following the funeral of Freddie Gray earlier in the day
AP
15/22 Baltimore riots
Police in front of a building that caught fire after being looted
EPA
16/22 Baltimore riots
A youth washes out pepper spray from his eyes near a building that caught fire after being looted
EPA
17/22 Baltimore riots
People pose for photographs on the hood of a Baltimore Police car destroyed by demonstrators
GETTY
18/22 Baltimore riots
The riots broke out just a few streets from the church where the funeral was held for Freddie Gray
GETTY
19/22 Baltimore riots
Demonstrators threw rocks and other objects at police following the funeral of Freddie Gray
AP
20/22 Baltimore riots
Arrests have been made, with many of those involved appearing to be school children and students
AP
21/22 Baltimore riots
Protests over Freddie Gray's death turned violent
Reuters
22/22 Baltimore riots
The circumstances surrounding Freddie Gray's death in custody still remain unclear
AP
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.
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.
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