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Image via The Windish Agency
Dev Hynes released a new song titled “Sandra’s Smile” as Blood Orange earlier this week, and it’s definitely one of the more lyrically striking songs to come from the project. The song was written in response to the deaths of Sandra Bland and Trayvon Martin, “culture vultures,” and more. Hynes took to Genius today to offer some very interesting annotations on the recently released song, and it’s definitely worth checking out.
Speaking about appropriation Hynes said, “Culture vultures make us feel so good, so great… so a part of something, at least for a little while. How many times have you heard of some celebrity whose career is indebted to black people and their love of black people, who then have to put out a public apology for throwing around the term nigga, or the other side, become deafly silent when we really need their help or voice?”
In the annotations, Hynes elaborated on the line “Closed our eyes for a while, but I still see Sandra’s Smile,” saying, “I had a somewhat delayed depression upon Sandra’s death. I was hurt and upset and mad instantly, of course… but I think a part of me had my eyes closed, as a form of numbness…a few days later it hit me and I was unconsolable.” In the past, Hynes has been a noted voice when it comes to police brutality, especially after being attacked by Lollapalooza security during his own performance.
Watch the video for “Sandra’s Smile” below.
