pulled an upset in scooping the Grammy for Song of the Year on Sunday for her justice-minded song “I Can’t Breathe,” which tackles Black pain and police brutality. “I Can’t Breathe” is a phrase echoing the final words of Eric Garner, who died after New York police placed him in a chokehold while arresting him on suspicion of selling loose cigarettes. Floyd, who died as a Minnesota policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, said the same words as he begged for mercy. It has become an ubiquitous chant at Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality, and in her bluesy song filled with wrenching lyricism, H.E.R. “I didn’t imagine that my fear and that my pain would turn into impact,” the musician said in accepting her trophy.

Source: Punch March 15, 2021 02:26 UTC