Idris Elba lends his voice to a song helping relief efforts
NEW YORK (AP) — British actor Idris Elba, who battled the coronavirus this year, has lent his voice to a newsongaboutblackmenandmental health that will benefit pandemic relief efforts.
Elba is featured on the song “Kings” by Kosine, a singer-songwriter-producerbestknownforcraftinghitsforBigSean,NickiMinajand Rihanna. Kosine, whose real name is Marcos Palacios, is one-half of the production duo Da Internz.
Elba delivers a spoken word performance on “Kings,” which was released Friday.
“Thissonglooksatmentalhealth, mental enrichment. We should stay away from conspiracies as they are a collision of fear and ignorance, two factorsthaterodeourmentalhealth,” Elba wrote on his Instagram page about “Kings.”
The Golden Globe-winning actor has dipped his toe in music multiple times: He’s released several
EPs, performed as an DJ (even at Coachella) and co-produced a song on Jay-Z’s 2007 album, “American Gangster.” Elba also appeared on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ sophomore album “This Unruly Mess I’ve Made,” while audio from an Elba interview is featured on Taylor Swift’s “London Boy,” a song from her latest album “Lover.”
Kosine, who worked on songs for Nas, Ella Mai, John Legend and Ludacris,saidaportionoftheproceeds from “Kings” will benefit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.
“As a musician, I’m doing my part to provide audio healing and to keep the mental health of the masses top of mind,” Kosine said in a statement. “In times like these we find out togetherwhoweareandwhowearen’t. Iwantallofmybrotherstoknowthat they are KINGS contrary to the false narrative of traditional mass media. Itismyhopethattheprincesoftoday grow in this knowledge and lead us into a future honoring the sacrifices of their ancestors.”