On her stirring, and dope new single “Boom Boom,” Brooklyn-based songstress-songwriter Ayo pens an equally heartfelt and frustrated tribute to all those who have tragically lost their lives at the hands of police brutality.

The track stems from her recently released, self-titled album, which finds the gifted artist blending genres and songwriting styles throughout its 14 tracks. And while other cuts on the record may detail more personal experiences from her life, “Boom Boom” is an outward look at the horrific injustices that Ayo (and the rest of the world) has witnessed over the years.

That sentiment hits hard right from the jump, as the song kicks off with children singing a rhythm that Ayo wrote herself: “1 and 1, 2 and 2/ Put your hands up or he will shoot you/ 3 and 3, 4 and 4/ Better get your ass down to the floor/ 5 and 5, 6 and 6/ Always watch out for the pig/, 7, 8, 9 and 10/ Send this message to all your friends.”

From there, the Reggae-tinged tune questions the motivations of those who allow such tragedies to occur. “What the hell is wrong with the government?” she asks with a pain vocal before wishing that she knew the location of the promised land. “If I knew the way, I would leave today…,” she adds.

“This is dedicated to the mothers of those victims,” says Ayo. “As a mother, I can’t imagine what they went through. Music should have a message. I believe music should be used to touch people and inspire people to do the right thing.”

Be sure to listen to “Boom Boom” now at the top of the post. Ayo is available on all major digital retailers and streaming platforms via All Points Music, while the vinyl version of the album is due out November 17.

Ayo Online:
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ayomusicofficial
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayomusic
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AYOmusic

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The post Ayo Delivers New Single: “Boom Boom” Off Self Titled Album appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Aug 30 – LA – Be-Street (with Soulection)
Sep 15th – NYC – SOB’s
Oct – ATL – A3C Festival (date TBA)
Nov 14th – London – Roof Gardens

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After a four year hiatus, French Montana gets back to what he does best with the second installment of his Casino Life mixtape series, Casino Life 2: Brown Bag Legend. The 15-track offering features appearances from Rick Ross, Chris Brown, Lil’ Wayne, Migos and more. Not to mention, production courtesy of AYO, Dolla, Moon and Young Chop, just to name a few. Catch the stream below.

The post New Mixtape: French Montana Casino Life 2: Brown Bag Legend [STREAM] appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

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