Jah Jr. – “Untitled”

Earlier this week, Jah Jr. shared an IGTV exclusive track called “Untitled” that opens with a recorded excerpt from the end of the late Rep. John Lewis’ speech at the famous March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28th, 1963. That is the day that Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. John Lewis unfortunately lost his six-month battle with pancreatic cancer last week, and passed away at the age of 80. He was the last living person who delivered a speech that day.

“By the force of our demands, our determination, and our numbers, we shall splinter the segregated South into a thousand pieces and put them together in the image of God and democracy.  We must say: “Wake up America!  Wake up!”  For we cannot stop, and we will not and cannot be patient.” – John Lewis

Today, the powerful “Untitled” hits all streaming platforms. By including the excerpt of Lewis’ speech, the song connects the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s with the Black Lives Matter movement today. Jah raps about police brutality and racism in America, and the conflicted feelings he has about the whole thing, and whether or not his actions are making enough of a difference. I think expressing frustrations and conflicted feelings through art makes a huge impact, as it gives people something to hold onto and relate with that can help bring a sense of unity and togetherness. There is great power in knowing that you’re not alone.

Jah Jr. has really grown as an artist over the past few years, and I’ve enjoyed watching his growth through all of the music he’s released. He has found a way to be more personal and vulnerable within his songwriting, and it truly shows. Recently with “Scarred” and the accompanying music video, and now again with “Untitled”, which does of course hit different given the context.

Listen to “Untitled” by Jah Jr. below.