Jay Z releases new song in wake of recent police shootings

Jay Z dropped a new song titled “Spiritual” late Thursday, a work he issued in response to the recent police shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile in the suburbs of St. Paul.

The song is streaming for free on Tidal. The artist said he initially began work on the track “awhile ago.”

Included with the song is a short note from the rapper that explains his decision to wait to drop “Spiritual.” He also shares his condolences for the lives lost to police shootings.

“I trust God and know everything that happens is for our greatest good, but man . it’s tough right now,” he wrote.

“Blessings to all the families that have lost loved ones to police brutality,” he added.

The rapper isn’t the only artist weighing in on recent events. On Thursday, his wife, Beyonce, issued an open letter in response to the shootings of Sterling and Castile and added a moment of silence to a show overseas.

In support of the Black Lives Matter movement, R&B singer Miguel released a demo for his song “How Many” on Soundcloud. The artist “promised to update the song every week until it’s finished.”