Download: Soul Khan – Wellstone ft. Akie Bermiss

In a historical moment fraught with inequality, war and oppression, we could use a few more politicians like Paul Wellstone, a U.S. Senator from the state of Minnesota whose legacy of genuine populism and grassroots action still resonates with civically-engaged idealists a decade after his tragic death in a 2002 plane crash. On the inaugural leak and title track off his forthcoming, Booth-sponsored EP (making its world premiere on our front page), Soul Khan channels the progressive icon as he surveys the state of the nation, and its effects on the rest of the globe. Backed by Deejay Element‘s tuneful boom-bap boardwork, sampled from ‘60s rock group The Grass Roots’ Live for Today (I see what he did there…), the Brown Bag All Star bemoans the injustices of U.S. policy, protesting with particular vehemence against our hypocrisy abroad: “And we still torturin’, damn it feels fraudulent / to lie that we’re more righteous than the people that we war against.” Brooklyn’s Akie Berniss ties the record together with a bold, anthemic hook. Does this cut leave you craving more fresh, thought-provoking bangers? Good, because that’s exactly what you’ll find on Wellstone (the EP), scheduled to hit our mixtape page March 12.