Asad Ill Chooses Freedom (Single Review)
This new single from Asad Ill is a somber time stamp about the current injustices of Black people. Inspired by the Harriet Tubman quote, “Only Freedom for a slave is death”, Asad navigates his emotions and does his best to find the right way to tackle this evil. Debating between marching and protesting, it can all seem for naught when you look back at how long we’ve struggled. This sentiment is echoed in a clip by Malcolm X later in the song.
The song is short and meditative. Asad doesn't have the answers and doesn’t pretend to. Like all of us, he’s angry and tired. Tired of the repeated cycles of protesting for justice and being killed for being Black. Sometimes the only seemingly right answer is to retaliate just as viciously to those who’ve abused us; a life for a life.
Every day a new story is released about injustices and murders by the hands of police and nothing quantifiable has been done and the tipping point is almost here. We’re tired of marching, protesting, and rioting to no avail. If it comes down to choosing between freedom or death, please know that death is not an option.
You can stream “Freedom or Death” here
