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Marsha Ambrosius’ Old Times is a song about, well, old times. It’s a song about love and longing, as she wishes her man would come home soon instead of “hustling the streets”. But most importantly, the song and its music video (above) are about police brutality against African-Americans in the United States.

Day after day the news splashes headlines about the Trayvon Martins, the Stephon Clarks and the Michael Browns, all African-Americans who were killed by police brutality and racial profiling. Ambrosius captures and lays bare the fear and apprehension of the Africa-American community as they see the headlines powerfully and succinctly as she sings:

“Those red and blue lights flashing and I pray
Oh please, please, please come home
...
’Cause right now
We’re afraid to see the news
Another name it could be you
If they say it to be true
Then we’ll stay right here.”

The video, directed by Risk Takerz, also directly alludes to Trayvon Martin and Stephon Clark, who were both unarmed when they they were killed by the police. But it also offers a glimmer of hope in its promise that perhaps, someday, the world will go back to being just like old times.

Old Times is a single off Ambrosius’ third studio album NYLA, which is slated for release on September 14.