Rebecca Ferguson Will Play Donald Trump’s Inauguration – On One Condition
Rebecca Ferguson has confirmed that she’s been asked to play Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony, but will only do so if she can play ‘Strange Fruit’.
‘Strange Fruit’ is regarded as one of the first great protest songs, with the lyrics on the track describing the lynching of African Americans in the early 20th century: "Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze".
Writing in a post, Rebecca said: “I've been asked and this is my answer. If you allow me to sing ‘Strange Fruit’, a song that has huge historical importance, a song that was blacklisted in the United States for being too controversial.
“A song that speaks to all the disregarded and down trodden black people in the United States. A song that is a reminder of how love is the only thing that will conquer all the hatred in this world, then I will graciously accept your invitation and see you in Washington. Best Rebecca X."
'Strange Fruit' was originally recorded by Billie Holiday but was written as a poem by Abel Meeropol.
A sample from Nina Simone's 1965 rendition was used on Kanye West's ‘Blood on the Leaves’, which featured on his sixth solo album, 'Yeezus.'
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