You’ve seen the posters, heard the public service announcements and watched the celebrity videos that urge voters to go to the polls and cast their ballots in the upcoming midterm elections on Nov. 3.
Now a renowned Minnesota-based musical group is adding to the wave of voter encouragement with a newly recorded song.
“Get Off Ya Hands and Vote” by the three-time Emmy Award-winning ensemble Sounds of Blackness combines a catchy tune that combines a clapping gospel choir with a jazzy, driving beat to deliver its timely musical message.
Sounds of Blackness leader Gary D. Hines believes the message in the group’s original song is surprisingly unique.
“There are songs around the marches for voting rights that go all the way back to the Civil Rights Movement, but no song specifically dedicated to the voting process and encouraging and inspiring that,” Hines said. “The Sounds of Blackness felt it was our duty to make that happen. “Get Off Ya Hands and Vote” is the new anthem for voting.”
Hines wrote, produced and arranged the anthem; the recording features vocalists Artisha Knight-Milon and Quan Howell with the Sound of Blackness singers and band. The song was all recorded, mastered and mixed at Atomic K Studios and Evergreen Studios in Minneapolis.
Sounds of Blackness performed the song at the recent No Kings rally in Minneapolis. The recording has been used in PSAs that remind voters to cast their ballots at the polls.
“I’m here to remind you that people were lynched, castrated an murdered fighting for your right to vote. If you don’t vote, you don’t count. Get off ya hands and vote!” Hines said.
Hines explained that he was moved to write the song by contemplating the words of the late civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis, who supported citizens getting into “good trouble” to achieve social justice goals.
But Lewis was not Hines’s only inspiration.
“I believe in the words of the late, great country artist Chet Atkins. He was asked how he came up with ideas for songs and I loved his answer. He said, ‘There are no songwriters, all music is given,’” Hines said.
“I believe “Get Up Off Ya Hands and Vote” was given to Sounds of Blackness to share with the city, state and nation because the ramifications of this election will indeed impact the entire planet.”
“Get Up Off Ya Hands and Vote” is available on all music and social media streaming sources and platforms.
For more information on voting, including early voting options and how to find your polling place, go here.
