In the wake of the global pandemic, our nation took an unexpected turn that wasn’t based on health concerns or economic recovery, but rather, racial divide. The national unrest began less than two weeks ago in Minneapolis when George Floyd, a 46-year-old security guard, died after police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on the back of his neck while he was handcuffed. Chauvin rendered him unable to breathe in a horrifying incident that was caught on camera.
The music industry quickly mobilized and halted all business activity last week in what they called “Black Out Tuesday” in solidarity with the black community. Universal Music Group, Sony, Capitol Music Group, Def Jam Records, Columbia Records, Pulse Music Group, Renown Entertainment Group, Republic, Virgin EMI, and Warner Records were just a few of the most recognized names in the music industry that banned together for the blackout. This gave the music industry time to reflect on not only what is important right now in this time in history but to also think about what they can do as organizations and individuals to make a positive and permanent difference in this world.
Multi-Platinum Producer/Songwriter and Top Billboard Charting Artist Chris Wallace joined in solidarity with the rest of his peers in the music industry and decided that he was going to take immediate action to make a difference by doing what he does best – writing a song. Currently living on the West Coast (Los Angeles, CA), Chris felt compelled to collaborate with other artists across the nation (more on this shortly – read on).
Chris Wallace has been working behind the scenes for the past several years writing and producing internationally acclaimed gold and platinum records (Sheppard’s “Coming Home,” The Vamps’s “Middle of the Night,” Reik ft. Manuel Turizo’s “Aleluya,” and Uverworld‘s “Making it Drive” and “EDEN”). He is most widely recognized as the former lead vocalist and frontman of the American pop-rock band The White Tie Affair (“Candle,” “You Look Better When I’m Drunk,” “Allow Me To Introduce Myself…Mr. Right,” “Take It Home”) and as a solo artist with two Top 40 Billboard records (“Remember When (Push Rewind)” and “Keep Me Crazy”).
Being a versatile and multi-genre producer and songwriter, Chris decided to share with other artists a somber hip-hop track with a melodic chorus for them to sing, rap, or put spoken words to if they felt so compelled. The track piqued the interest of artists across the nation, but the most interesting response was from East Coast Rapper Napoleon from Suffolk, VA (part of the 7 Cities and home of Pharrell, Timbaland, Missy Elliot, Clipse, and Teddy Riley) a recording artist formerly from the notorious hip-hop group the Wu Syndicate). Napoleon has written and recorded songs with Jim Jones, Pusha T, Ghostface Killah, and XKNG Crooked who was with Eminem’s group Slaughterhouse.
Napoleon was watching the news about George Floyd and the ensuing chaos on CNN when a music industry executive called him about the track. As soon as Napoleon heard the song he was instantly moved by the chorus and vibe of the track…lyrics started to flow and he inked all of his thoughts and emotions about the George Floyd situation (and other similar racially-charged injustices that have taken place recently) in only 20 minutes. He went into the studio and what transpired next was nothing short of astonishing.
The song “I Can’t Breathe” produced by Chris Wallace and written/performed by Chris Wallace and Napoleon can be heard below:
Illustration by: Strati Di Blu
We at MIW want nothing more than to see America and the rest of the world work towards permanent healing of the racial divide. We applaud those in the music industry who are willing to join together and take action in a positive way. It’s artists like Chris Wallace and Napoleon who are not only working towards making a positive and permanent change for the world today, but for generations to come.
Connect with Chris Wallace on Social:
Facebook: chriswallacemusic
Twitter: chriswallace101
Instagram: Chriswallace___
Connect with Napoleon on Social:
Facebook
