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.

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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.

Shape Created with Sketch. After Freddie Gray: Baltimore unrest in pictures

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Shape Created with Sketch. 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

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.