Hell You Talmbout

This article is about the 2015 Janelle Monáe song. For her 2013 song of the same name, see The Electric Lady.
"Hell You Talmbout"
Single by Janelle Monáe and Various Artists
Released August 13, 2015 (2015-08-13)
Recorded 2015
Genre
Length 6:41
Label Wondaland Records
Writer(s)
Janelle Monáe singles chronology
"Yoga"
(2015)		 "Hell You Talmbout"
(2015)		 "Pressure Off"
(2015)
Jidenna singles chronology
"Yoga"
(2015)		 "Hell You Talmbout"
(2015)		 "Long Live the Chief"
(2015)
Roman GianArthur singles chronology
"Classic Man"
(2015)		 "Hell You Talmbout'"
(2015)
Deep Cotton singles chronology
"We're Far Enough from Heaven Now We Can Freak Out"
(2012)		 "Hell You Talmbout'"
(2015)

"Hell You Talmbout" is a 2015 protest song by Janelle Monáe and the members of her Wondaland artist collective, including Deep Cotton, George 2.0, Jidenna, Roman GianArthur, and St. Beauty. It charted at #35 in its first week. The word "talmbout" in the title is a condensed version of "talking about"; thus, the title asks "what the hell are you talking about?"The song lists the names of various African-American men, women, and children who have died in encounters with law enforcement and/or racial violence, and implores listeners to say the names of the deceased. Wondaland and Monáe subsequently released the instrumental track of the song, so that listeners could make their own versions.[1][2][3][4]

Names of the deceased

Reception

The song received favourable reviews, and many spoke positively about the message of the song. Fast Company described it as "simple yet unquestionably powerful", stating that it will force listeners to remember those who have been murdered. Stereogum called it "less a song and more of a chant, with some gospel overtones", and emphasized that it is both "simple" and "effective". USA Today declared it the 'song of the week', praising the song's "simple but stark approach" of only listing names rather than describing circumstances, and attributing this to a desire to avoid "arguments that can quickly turn divisive and bitter", while National Public Radio called it "visceral" and "blistering". Transgender rights advocate Vita Elizabeth Cleveland recorded an answer song, "Hell Y'all Ain't Talmbout", which focuses on the names of murdered African-American transwomen.[5][6][7][8][9]

References

  1. ↑ Torres, Eric (13 August 2015). "Janelle Monáe and Wondaland Records Share Protest Song "Hell You Talmbout"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  2. ↑ Anderson, Trevor (20 August 2015). "Hailee Steinfeld Finds 'Love' on Billboard + Twitter Top Tracks". Billboard. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  3. ↑ Nordlinger, Jay (11 June 2014). "This is CNN, &c.". National Review. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  4. ↑ Leight, Elias (28 August 2015). "Janelle Monae Asks Listeners To Record Personal Versions Of "Hell You Talmbout"". The Fader. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  5. ↑ Ifeanyi, KC (20 August 2015). "Janelle Monáe's Protest Song Is A Heart-Rending Roll Call Of Injustices". Fast Company. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  6. ↑ Breihan, Tom (13 August 2015). "Janelle Monáe, Jidenna, St. Beauty, Deep Cotton & Roman GianArthur – "Hell You Talmbout"". Stereogum. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  7. ↑ Mansfield, Brian (20 August 2015). "Song of the week: Monáe's 'Hell You Talmbout'". USA Today. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  8. ↑ Presley, Katie (18 August 2015). "Janelle Monáe Releases Visceral Protest Song, 'Hell You Talmbout'". NPR. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  9. ↑ Brydum, Sunnivie (25 August 2015). "WATCH: In Wake of Trans Murders, Janet Mock Teaches Us Why We Must #SayHerName". The Advocate. Retrieved 31 August 2015.

External links

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