Yasiin Bey's Eric Garner & Ferguson Statement Set To Fallou Diop's Jazz

As Okayplayer previously reported, Yasiin Bey recently made an inspiring statement for Stop Being Famous called Thoughts On The Upheaval From A Global Perspective. In it, the rapper talks about the Eric Garner grand jury verdict and current turmoil in Ferguson, Missouri over the death of Michael Brown. As OKP points out, Bey also quotes "Malcolm X and a few verses from Max Ehrmann‘s Desiderata." Dakar-born/Brooklyn-based producer Fallou Diop recently set the truthful reflection to music. With "Yasiin Bey — Where Are We?," Diop backs Bey's poetic speech with long horns and soft drums, effectively turning timeless words into a kind of hopeful elegy. Listen to "Yasiin Bey - Where Are We?" below and read a full transcript of the statement below.

>>>Check Out Fallou Diop's Jazz Reinterpration of Maya Angelou's 'Africa' Poem

Thoughts On The Upheaval From A Global Perspective: What do you think?

Where are we? We’re at critical time. We’re at watershed moment for humanity. I imagine we’ve been here before and I imagine we’ve probably been here longer than we realize. I think many of us are becoming even more aware of where we are. And the urgency to change this miserable condition on this earth” (as Malcolm X said) is occurring to many of us and reaffirming itself.1

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It’s an opportunity for necessary change. Positive change. And it’s not necessarily convenient or comfortable. As I’m sure is with any period of growth.2

I read somewhere that in order for an arrow to fly the bow has to be drawn back. There’s some pressure involved and I think we’re all feeling that pressure. Some of us are more aware of it than others. Some of us are trying to drown it out. But we all feel it one way or another in indelible ways in these times and days.2

“Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.”