Pink Sweat$ dropped his new single, “Not Alright,” on Friday (June 19th), a commentary on the emotional experience of existing as a Black person in America. Along with dropping his single, Sweat$ penned an open letter explaining why he decided to release this particular track before his upcoming project, Pink Planet, comes out.

“I know I’ve been promising you guys Pink Planet for quite some time, and I love you all for sticking with me — it’s coming,” he explained. “I’ve always used music as a form of expression, and now is no different. ‘Not Alright’ is a song I wrote about the wide range of feelings you experience being black in America. I was planning on putting this record out with the rest of the album, but I need you all the hear this one now. I’ve thought a lot about how to use my platform to promote positive change in the world, and my loudest voice is the one speaking to you all in my music. I will always promote love, I will always promote unit, and I will always stand up for what I believe. A lot of us are not alright, but you’re not in this fight alone.” Check out “Not Alright” and let us know what you think.

Quotable Lyrics

I ain’t got no home
I’ve been roamin’ on this Earth forever
Please don’t beat my soul
‘Cause that’s the only thing I treasure