“Freedom Freedom I can’t move. Freedom, cut me loose. Singin’, freedom Freedom Where are you? ‘Cause I need freedom, too. I break chains all by myself. Won’t let my freedom rot in hell. Hey, I’ma keep running ‘cause a winner don’t quit on themselves.”
This song has been echoing in my head throughout these past months. These impactful lyrics were written by Beyonce back in 2016 with her hit album Lemonade. The song is entitled “Freedom,” and it features Kendrick Lamar. This song has been significant throughout the entire election season. As someone who is finally of legal age to vote, I began doing research and learning about how elections work. Four years ago, I was just sixteen years old, feeling helpless, like I couldn’t make any type of difference in the political world. I knew that when the next election came around, I would be twenty years old and ready to vote. I have always cared about politics and society, but being able to vote unlocked a passion for me.
At Stevens, I study Quantitative Social Science (QSS), which combines psychology, sociology, and political science with computer science and data analytics. I am taking a QSS course right now, and we have been discussing the election and all of the politics involved.
“Freedom” was a song used in one of the candidate’s campaigns and perfectly captured the essence of this person’s campaign. Calling for justice and freedom for everyone was something that motivated this candidate to run. Everything about this song completely emphasizes the values and morals of the candidate that used it.
Digging deeper into the song “Freedom” by Beyonce featuring Kendrick Lamar, we hear a resilient voice shining through the jazz organ that colors this song so uniquely. We hear this yearning voice that refuses to back down. Beyonce is telling the truth about the American Dream. She explains how she pushes through the rain and breaks down the walls. She turns into the rain, saying how she is going to rain on the bitter love and turn it sweet. Her imagery is irrepressible, and the song’s motive is clear. I personally love the lyric that concludes the chorus as it reads, “I’ma keep running ‘cause a winner doesn’t quit on themselves.” That lyric packs generations of history and resilience into a small line of song.
I think the best ingredient to a great song is a Kendrick Lamar feature. Throughout the song, we hear Beyonce calling and searching for freedom while keeping strong through oppression and defeats. Once Kendrick enters, the vibe changes to this rumbling “something’s coming” feeling. He’s explaining different scenarios that have tarnished the American Dream, from police oppression to negative representation in the media. I think one of Kendrick’s most impactful lyrics in this song is, “and when they carve my name inside the concrete, I pray it forever reads.” This line goes right into Beyonce’s Chorus of Freedom.
The two artists work so well together to make this anthem of a song. This song has been on repeat throughout this election season, helping some people get through really hard times. I think this song is beautiful, and I am happy that it has made a comeback. No matter what, I think we can all agree that Beyonce has an extremely tight grip on culture, and her music defines generations.
My recommendation this week is to stay educated about the world and politics — if not for yourself, then for the people around you that you love. Listen to Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar’s “Freedom” when you need a reminder of how strong, beautiful, and worthy you are, even in the face of oppression and defeat!
