Photo courtesy of 2Rs Entertainment
(June 22, 2020) En Vogue’s anthem of female empowerment, “Free Your Mind,” has been inspiring audiences for the better part of three decades. Founding member Terry Ellis is now adding fuel to that message with her first solo single in over 20 years, “Angry Black Woman.”
(June 22, 2020) En Vogue’s anthem of female empowerment, “Free Your Mind,” has been inspiring audiences for the better part of three decades. Founding member Terry Ellis is now adding fuel to that message with her first solo single in over 20 years, “Angry Black Woman.”
On the lyrically straight-shooting, rhythmically motivating number, Ellis delivers the fight for justice in a strong, take-no-prisoners tone. Backed by chants of “I can’t breathe” and sound bites of gun shots and a crying infant, “Angry Black Woman” opens with a spoken dialogue before progressing to a melodically punchy verse and assertive chorus. “‘Cause for so long we’ve been patient, now we’re done/And don’t you even ask me when did I become such an Angry Black Woman,” she proclaims, further voicing: “We’ve been trying to keep the peace, fifty years since Martin King/Some don’t like me for who I am, but I love my melanin/Another future college grad sleeping in a bodybag/Mother screaming out her lungs, she never gonna see her son.”
Ellis states of the song: “‘Angry Black Woman’ was born from an outpouring of emotions felt regarding the continued police brutality towards black people…my people. …Whether we realize it or not, the cause of inhumane treatment will always create an imbalanced effect and unrest for all of us, mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally. We must have justice or there will be no peace.”
Terry Ellis - "Angry Black Woman"