STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Raury Releases Ferguson-Inspired Track 'Fly'

Atlanta singer hits "reset on the revolution," tributes those "wrongfully murdered."

Atlanta singer Raury released a Ferguson-inspired track “Fly” Wednesday (Jan. 14), dedicated to those wrongfully murdered. He wrote the song after a grand jury decided not to indict Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Raury, also 18, shares his own fear of being gunned down. He sings, “I’m afraid I'll die/And you can look at me and never wonder why/Because I'm brown and young and my hair is nappy."

The track is led by an acoustic guitar, while the lyrics revolve around the optimism that humanity can one day “fly above” the things that cause division. “‘Fly’ is a reset button on the revolution,” he wrote on Facebook. “‘Fly’ is an ode to the ones who were wrongfully murdered, mourning the deaths and also looking on the bright side to help us find peace in the fact that they are in a better place, they fly in heaven now.”

Featured on “Fly” is Malik Shakur, Raury’s best friend and nephew of Assata Shakur, who was convicted of killing a New Jersey state trooper in the late '70s. Assata, who maintains her innocence, escaped from prison and has lived in Cuba for the last 30 years. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie wanted her extradited back to the U.S. after President Obama announced a plan for a better diplomatic relationship with the country. Cuba denied Christie's request.

“Malik also felt the need to express his hope for the future and the growth of black excellence when he recorded with me in the midst of America trying to capture his Aunt Assata Shakur,” Raury continued. “He also looks to walk along with me in the healing of the world through love and high frequency music.”

The Indigo Child ended his Facebook message on a hopeful note writing, “Deep in my heart I know everything is going to be alright.”   

Click here to win a trip to the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration in Phoenix, plus four tickets to the Big Game. 

BET.com is your No. 1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

 (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.