The song lists the names of variousAfrican American people who died as a result of encounters with law enforcement or racial violence, and implores listeners to say the names of the dead. Wondaland and Monáe subsequently released theinstrumental track of the song, so that listeners could make their own versions.[1][2][3][4]
The song received favourable reviews, and many spoke positively about the message of the song.Fast Company described it as "simple yet unquestionably powerful", stating that it will force listeners to remember those who have been murdered.[5]Stereogum called it "less a song and more of a chant, with somegospel overtones", and emphasized that it is both "simple" and "effective".[6]USA Today declared it the "song of the week", praising the song's "simple but stark approach" of only listing names rather than describing circumstances, and attributing this to a desire to avoid "arguments that can quickly turn divisive and bitter",[7] whileNational Public Radio called it "visceral" and "blistering".[8]
Malcolm Gladwell's audiobookTalking to Strangers, a reflection on the psychology surrounding thearrest and death of Sandra Bland, uses "Hell You Talmbout" as a theme song: "I was almost finished with my book when I first heard [Hell You Talmbout], and I thought, 'I cannot publish Talking to Strangers without it.'"[9]
Transgender rights advocate Vita Elizabeth Cleveland recorded ananswer song, "Hell Y'all Ain't Talmbout", which focuses on the names of murdered African-Americantrans women.[10]
David Byrne and his band performed "Hell You Talmbout" as the final encore each night on hisAmerican Utopia Tour.[11][12] Byrne said, "This is one of the most moving political songs that I'd ever heard" and chose it because it "...ends the show on the vibe of, 'This is where we are at in 2018.'"[13] A version of it appears on theAmerican Utopia on Broadway album, as well as theSpike Lee-directedfilm of the concert, during which, several family members of the deceased mentioned hold up photographs of them. During the applause, additional tributes are shown to those who have lost their lives since the song came out, prominentlyAhmaud Arbery,Breonna Taylor, andGeorge Floyd, as well as additional tributes to those not mentioned in the song "and too many more". Floyd and Taylor's names were added when the show returned to Broadway in 2021.
In late September 2021, Monáe released a 17-minute version of the song entitled "Say Her Name (Hell You Talmbout)". The updated version featured the names of 61 Black women and girls who were murdered at the hands of police brutality. Among the vocalists that contributed to the new version the song areBeyoncé Knowles,Alicia Keys,Tierra Whack,Zoë Kravitz,Brittany Howard andChloe x Halle.[14]
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