“I’ve been experiencing a lot of trauma around seeing black bodies murdered, like humans murdered,” she explains, speaking with Zane Lowe on Apple Music. “I struggle with talking about it because it is like a wound that we’re reopening. We’ve been screaming Black Lives Matter. We’ve been understanding where our ancestors came from and the fact that I’m here not because I asked to be here, but because my ancestors were stolen and we were forced to be here. So there’s a connection between the past the present and what could be the future if we continue.”

As for the track itself, “Turntables” features a spirited performance from Monaé, who occasionally channels Anderson Paak in her delivery. Alternating between a more-restrained groove for the verse and a more anthemic, gospel-inspired chorus, Monaé’s versatility is on full display. “America, you a lie,” she declares. “And the whole world about to testify.” Check out the track now, and sound off below.

QUOTABLE LYRICS

America, you a lie
And the whole world about to testify