Recorded 2015 Length 6:41 | Label Wondaland Records | |
Released August 13, 2015 (2015-08-13) Writer(s) Janelle RobinsonNate WonderCharles Joseph IIJidenna MobissonRoman GianArthurAlexe BelleIsis ValentinoGeorge 2.0 | ||
"Hell You Talmbout" is a 2015 protest song by Janelle Monáe and the members of her Wondaland artist collective, including Deep Cotton, George 2.0, Jidenna, Roman GianArthur, and St. Beauty. The word "talmbout" in the title is a condensed version of "talking about"; thus, the title asks "what the hell are you talking about?" The song lists the names of various African-American people who have died in encounters with law enforcement and/or racial violence, and implores listeners to say the names of the deceased. Wondaland and Monáe subsequently released the instrumental track of the song, so that listeners could make their own versions.
Contents
Names of the deceased
Reception
The song received favourable reviews, and many spoke positively about the message of the song. Fast Company described it as "simple yet unquestionably powerful", stating that it will force listeners to remember those who have been murdered. Stereogum called it "less a song and more of a chant, with some gospel overtones", and emphasized that it is both "simple" and "effective". USA Today declared it the 'song of the week', praising the song's "simple but stark approach" of only listing names rather than describing circumstances, and attributing this to a desire to avoid "arguments that can quickly turn divisive and bitter", while National Public Radio called it "visceral" and "blistering". Transgender rights advocate Vita Elizabeth Cleveland recorded an answer song, "Hell Y'all Ain't Talmbout", which focuses on the names of murdered African-American transwomen.