“The People are Rising” can be seen in a sign held by a masked Anderson .Paak on the cover art for his protest song “Lockdown,” which is a striking visual in itself that attests to the current state of the country. Released on the very special Juneteenth holiday, .Paak delivered the visual for his song that simply takes us on the journey that has been the year 2020 so far. With only six months into the year, we have suffered the trials of a health crisis, unjust killings and racism, job loss, and tremendous uncertainty.
“Lockdown” gives a detailed description on what is happening on the ground during the protests surrounding the Black Lives Matter Movement. Lyrics such as “Lil’ tear gas cleared the whole place out / I’ll be back with the hazmat for the next round/ We was tryna protest but the fires broke out / Look out for the secret agents they be planted in the crowd” paint a vivid picture of what so many have been enduring the past few weeks. The visual contains familiar faces such as SiR, Andra Day, Syd and even a much needed Jay Rock verse to further convey the message.
An all-around work of art from the video, cover art, and the lyrics, the talented musician speaks his truth, asks necessary questions, and uses his platform for awareness. Check out the video below.
