For this edition of Baltimore Beat’s roundup of the local music we love, we’re looking back at 2015, when Freddie Gray died while in police custody. The uprising that followed was a moment in history that sparked literal and figurative fires in the city.
Bop down memory lane with us real quick as we listen to a few tracks that Baltimore musicians released during that time.
Tate Kobang, “Bank Rolls (Remix)”
It’s hard to think of Baltimore in 2015 without Tate Kobang’s “Bank Rolls.” The song coincidently dropped on the exact day Freddie Gray died. Kobang released the song as a tribute to his late mother and as a promo for an upcoming mixtape. The song is a remake of Baltimore rapper Tim Trees’ radio hit “Bank Roll,” which originally dropped in 2000. Kobang’s track was produced by OG Baltimore Club veteran Rod Lee, who also produced the original track. “Bank Rolls” turned out to be a viral hit, landing Kobang’s words in the ears of people around the world right around the time it may have been needed. He couldn’t have opened the track with a more perfect braggadocio line of an emcee boldly repping his city:
Bitch I’m from Baltimore, you say you was, I never seen ya / What part you on? I got some family on the Alameda
This remix, like the original, is stamped as a Baltimore anthem.
Young Moose/Martina Lynch, “No Sunshine”
This gem dropped in 2015 and is still getting views on YouTube. Featuring a sample of Bill Withers’ classic “Ain’t No Sunshine,” the video opens with clips of scenes from the Uprising, including one of a young man being sprayed in the face with what appears to be tear gas or mace, as Baltimore police officers pull him to the ground by his locs right on the corner of Pennsylvania and North Avenues.
Moose, who would later become instrumental in bringing light to the horrific practices of the Gun Trace Task Force, calls out harmful rumors that were spreading at the time about the way Freddie Gray died:
They say he killed hisself they really spreading the rumors
They say he died in the alley, they say he died in the paddy
Man them bitches assumin’, them bitches assumin’
Lynch, who has since built a solid name for herself as one of the top lyricists from Baltimore, raps:
Look, the police don’t know me but they wanna take out my homies
And my ni**as on the streets they shootin too. No Sunshine, they bulletproof
So we don’t get no sunny days. Feeling like a slave I wanna run away
But I’m up in the hood tryna find a way. Rest in peace Freddie Gray
Joy Postell, “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot”
The chant “Hands up, don’t shoot” became popular at protests after the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014. This song, which features Joy Postell accompanied by guitarist Steve Francell, echoes the chant as a call for the end of police brutality. Postell is still creating beautiful music. Her most recent releases have been a string of singles, including “Have Mercy,” “showme” and “Many Men,” that can be found on all streaming platforms.
Living Classrooms students, “Believe in Baltimore”
This adorable and upbeat anthem came out of a collaboration between Baltimore City students and members of Baltimore bands Future Islands, Lower Dens, and Celebration. It was powered by the workforce development and education nonprofit Living Classrooms and the music education nonprofit Believe in Music. Believe in Music has since folded, facing major funding cuts during the pandemic in 2020. In 2015, many collaborations like this took place as funding poured into youth programs particularly focused on the arts and recreation for young people. The video is still up on YouTube.
Comrade, “Right Back”
Comrade began to blow up locally in 2015 with this single “Right Back.” The song expresses the relentless nature of Baltimoreans to push back against injustice. Most recently, he dropped an album in 2024 titled “Comradery” with features from King Midas and King Los.
Prince, “Baltimore”
The Baltimore Uprising attracted the attention of many Black celebrities. Some came here looking for clout while others, like music superstar Prince, seemed much more sincere. The musician held a “Rally for Peace” concert that featured appearances from then-State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, Doug E. Fresh, and Miguel. He also released this beautiful ode to Baltimore. The music video ends with a quote from Prince himself: “The system is broken. It’s going to take the young people to fix it this time. We need new ideas, new life…”