The Black Lives Matter protests have sparked new conversations around race and calls to support Black entrepreneurs around the country.
Music has also taken up this new beat.
This week, superstar Pharrell Williams and hip-hop mogul Jay-Z have released a song in conjunction with Time Magazine about the importance of Black culture.
The single, “Entrepreneur,” which comes with a visual video, is part of Time‘s “New Revolution” series. “New Revolution” highlights conversations with numerous public figures—civil rights icon Angela Davis, tennis player Naomi Osaka, and musician Tyler the Creator—about the systemic inequalities that Black people have faced throughout the country’s history.
“The intention for a song was all about how tough it is to be an entrepreneur in our country to begin with,” Williams told Time. “Especially as someone of color, there’s a lot of systemic disadvantages and purposeful blockages. How can you get a fire started, or even the hope of an ember to start a fire, when you’re starting at disadvantages with regards to health care, education, and representation?”
“When you have successful beehive-type communities where you can circulate money within your community, it makes a huge
difference,” he added. “They keep saying the American Dream is about the house and picket fence, the wife and two kids. Come on—let’s be honest. It’s always boiled down to money and an opportunity.”“The song is trying to communicate that when we stick together, treat each other better, and welcome each other, there’s more money and more opportunity for everyone.”