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The People Could Fly

by Malibu Shark Attack!

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about

From Tribe One.

The People Could Fly is my favorite book from my childhood. I read it over and over and over again, especially the tale that shares its title with the book. In the story, there is a group of people who fly away as an escape from the brutality of their lives. It always bothered me that they didn’t teach or take the others, the ones who couldn’t fly, with them. They just left. Into the sky and away. I understood, though.

When I began really writing this song, it was with this idea that the ones who fly were leaving the rest of us behind to deal with what they couldn’t or wouldn’t. But I started writing the song on May 18, 2020. A week later things were very different and I realized the ones who fly aren’t abandoning anybody. They are the ones who refuse to continue to be brutalized or to stand by while others are. The ones who fly are the ones who stand up and speak and shout and march and demonstrate that things will continue as they once did.

I wanted to write something profound and insightful but all I have to say is already in the song. Plus there are smarter people and better writers than me who are already saying everything that needs to be heard. I will only say that this song is dedicated to the memory of my friend Chinedu Okobi, who was killed by police in October of 2018. I met him at Morehouse College our freshman year and we bonded because we were both from the San Francisco Bay Area and hip hop fanatics. He died on the street where I used to walk to the mall and ride my bike to the comic shop and where many of the formative experiences of my childhood took place. He was being arrested for jaywalking and he ended up being tased to death.

I fully support the brave, powerful and righteously furious people protesting for equality and equal treatment. For the demilitarization, defunding and reformation of the police. And for the acknowledgement that Black Lives Matter because until they do, all lives don’t. That’s why the proceeds from this song will be donated to The Black Lives Matter Global Network, The NAACP, The Bail Project and The Atlanta Solidarity Fund.

Thank you for supporting us and for supporting change in this country. Keep up the Good Work.

credits

released June 19, 2020
Malibu Shark Atack are: Tribe One & Rocky O'Reilly

Drums by Lee McMahon
Additional vocals by Angie McCrisken & Ryan McGroarty.

Recorded & Mixed by MSA at Start Together Studio, Belfast.

Artwork by Alex Smith.

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Malibu Shark Attack! Belfast, UK

Malibu Shark Attack are Tribe One (Atlanta, GA) and Rocky O'Reilly (Belfast, N.Ireland) The two swapped ideas & songs via email, completing their debut album with the help of 25 friends and collaborators from across the world.

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