WAKE IT UP! As we CLOSE OUT BLACK HISTORY MONTH let us NOT forget that although we have made MANY STRIDES in civil rights, race relations and ACCEPTANCE. There is still SO MUCH MORE that needs to be done! ‘Freedom’ is in the distance, but we have not OVERCOME yet.

“Freedom” is a 1995 song released on Mercury Records featuring a chorus of over 60 African-American female artists and groups of note in hip-hop, pop and R&B music including En Vogue, Aaliyah, Vanessa L. Williams, Mary J. Blige, MC Lyte, SWV, TLC, and Monica. 

The all-star recording of both the song and solemn black-and-white video for “Freedom” took place directly after the American Music Awards of 1995. According to its promotional single’s liner notes, the song was a tribute to women of the past like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Shirley Chisholm, and Angela Davis who played major roles in black resistance, as well as the empowerment of women of the present.

“Freedom” is a cover of a song originally performed by underground R&B singer Joi on her 1994 album The Pendulum Vibe. The song was re-recorded as the official theme for the award-winning film Panther. The song was produced by Dallas Austin and Diamond D, and reached the top twenty of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1995. The song featured established and up-and-coming female R&B and pop singers. The vocals were arranged by singer Angie Stone, and Me’Shell Ndegéocello contributed bass guitar.