Following Dev Hynes’ participation in multiple rally’s urging for the justice of Trayvon Martin among others, NYC’s soulful poet, aka Blood Orange released the poignant spoken word jazz anthem on police brutality, “Do You See My Skin Through The Flames.” Last night the indie R & B producer delivered once again with an ode to Sandra Bland, the 28 year old black woman who was found dead in her jail cell days after being arrested for a traffic violation. “Sandra’s Smile” is a crisp black & white piece The Atlantic is labeling, “political art.” The visuals feature rapper Junglepussy, NYC subway break dancers Waffle Crew and singer/songwriter Ian Isiah. The video, directed and edited by Hynes himself views as a love letter to the city and is reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s Scorsese directed video for “Bad“- also shot among urban NYC street culture. Blood Orange incorporates his sweet pipes over scattered saxophone riffs and harmonious background vocals to expose a dark message, “Who taught you how to breathe, then took away your speech?” Hynes also gives tribute to Trayvon Martins mother, Sybrina Fulton in the lyrics. The impressive visuals for “Sandra’s Smile” gives viewers a peak of life into Dev Hyne’s eclectic and organically beautiful world and a political protest song with one underlying meaning: Black Lives Matter.
Dev Hynes will be at the Apollo on December 12th.
Watch the Dev Hynes directed video for “Sandra’s Smile” below:
Danielle O’Neill