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New "Empire" Single Addresses Orlando Shooting, Police Violence

"Why too many gone too soon?"

When Empire returns for its third season this Wednesday, it will do so with the new politically-charged anthem "Need Freedom," which focuses on gun violence and police brutality.

The powerful song is performed by Jussie Smollet, who plays Jamal on the show. In addition to reflecting on the countless black lives lost to police violence, the song also touches on the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

In a recent interview with Billboard, Smollet discussed what the recording process for the emotional track was like.

“I recorded this exactly seven days after Philando Castile was shot," he remarked. "Between the shootings of Castile, Alton Sterling, at the Pulse in Orlando and the police officers in Dallas—not to mention the other numerous killings over the last couple of years—it was like we couldn’t breathe."

He added: “What are we doing as a people, as a nation? What messages are we sending to the next generation?”

Jussie teased the track on Instagram ahead of its release last week.

Smollet's emotive voice perfectly captures the sentiment behind the moving lyrics:

“Too many guns on the streets and my heart can’t take it no more

Like Stevie said, love’s in need

My heart cries out for Orlando, Philando, Alton, Sandra, Mike Brown, Garner, Trayvon

Why too many people gone too soon?”

Check out the full song below.

Empire's third season premieres this Wednesday at 9/8c on FOX.

h/t: Attitude

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