“Now it’s time, watch my people rise.” That is a powerful statement that Trey Songz makes at the end of the second verse of “2020 Riots: How Many Times.” As empowering as that particular lyric is, don’t get it twisted – the R&B singer is fed up and frustrated by systematic racism, period. There’s a clear reason why the song is titled, “How Many Times,” because to black Americans, persons of color, and minorities everywhere, the far too consistent injustice is absolutely and utterly ridiculous. George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery… just to name a few… “2020 Riots: How Many Times,” hence, finds Trey using his platform as a call to attention and action for systematic change – the current system is broken. Atoning for the hurt, pain, and the fatalities, that accompany racial injustice is simply impossible. However, ensuring that a movement potently latches that indeed catalyzes change is atonement, to some degree.
During the verses of “How Many Times,” Trey Songz paints a clear picture of pain from the black perspective. “Don’t be colorblind, ‘cause when they’re killin’ mine / They’ll try to justify it,” he sings on the first verse. In the same verse, he also criticizes those unsympathetic who miss the entire point (“You got a problem, ‘cause the city no fire / But you quiet when n***as die”). He makes similar remarks during the second verse, with varied wording. Of course, the centerpiece of this lush, gospel-tinged contemporary R&B protest anthem is the chorus, which expresses the hurt, pain, and loss simply, yet with incredible authenticity:
“How many mothers have to cry
How many brothers gotta die
How many more times?
How many more times?
How many more marches?
How many more signs?
How many more lives?
How many more times?”
No matter who you are, ask yourself the question, “How many more times” are we going to allow this to keep happening? This has gotta stop and let this be the movement that enacts the necessary systematic change.
You can learn more about Trey Songz here:
About The Curator - Brent Faulkner
Slightly eccentric with interests that seem to know no ends, restless ‘Renaissance Man’ is the best way to characterize Brent Faulkner, a native of Kentucky. A certified music educator, multi-instrumentalist, and composer known for his incredibly sharp ear, he lives and breathes music of a variety of styles. In addition to passion for educating, performing, and writing music, he’s equally passionate blogging and writing about it, managing his own site, The Musical Hype (https://themusicalhype.com). When he’s not intensely analyzing music, you can find him reading or watching a movie, reality television or some sporting event.
