Kathryn Bigelow's Detroit is set to chronicle the 1967 12th Street riot when it hits screens next month, and the Roots have leant their musical talents to the film's soundtrack with new track "It Ain't Fair."
The band team up with frequent collaborator Bilal, who opens the six-minute song with a solemn dirge. It isn't long before Black Thought and the band show up for some explosive, soul-indebted verses. You can hear the track in the player below.
"This song is the slow burning fire inside all of our souls," drummer Questlove told Rolling Stone. "Watching the movie [Detroit] clearly shows that life in 1967 isn't that much different in 2017 or 1897 for that matter. We wanted to hit many a bird with one stone: Humanize the pain, confusion and sadness. But also express the overdue anger. Not only to the powers that be but also to those on the sideline that can afford to turn the other way because it doesn't effect them at the moment."
Detroit opens in North America August 4, while the soundtrack will arrive through Motown on July 28.
The band team up with frequent collaborator Bilal, who opens the six-minute song with a solemn dirge. It isn't long before Black Thought and the band show up for some explosive, soul-indebted verses. You can hear the track in the player below.
"This song is the slow burning fire inside all of our souls," drummer Questlove told Rolling Stone. "Watching the movie [Detroit] clearly shows that life in 1967 isn't that much different in 2017 or 1897 for that matter. We wanted to hit many a bird with one stone: Humanize the pain, confusion and sadness. But also express the overdue anger. Not only to the powers that be but also to those on the sideline that can afford to turn the other way because it doesn't effect them at the moment."
Detroit opens in North America August 4, while the soundtrack will arrive through Motown on July 28.
