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Protesters stand arm-in-arm as they block an entrance to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office during a May Day demonstration on May 1, 2017 in San Francisco, California. Thousands are expected to take to the streets across the United States to participate in May Day demonstrations. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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John Legend’s ‘Surefire’ video speaks to modern America

Director Cole Wiley’s tale of love lost and found is as timely as ever

Clinton Yates @clintonyates
Topics:
All Day Music John Legend

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    3:10 PM

    I try not to cry at work.

    But I had to make an exception for John Legend’s new video for “Surefire,” off of his Darkness and Light album that was released Monday. Directed by Cole Wiley, it is ostensibly the story of two young people in love who are limited by the various societal constructs we put up to divide each other, be they race, religion, family structure or immigration status. This could be in either California or Texas, but it doesn’t particularly matter.

    You don’t need to have a bleeding heart to recognize a tale of commitment and fortitude when you see one, but with the state of this nation today, this video hits every single note possible when it comes to reflecting exactly how phony the notion is of the United States being a melting pot. At every stage, there’s a powerful message to be sent.

    Watch it for yourself. Don’t forget the tissues.

    Clinton Yates is a tastemaker at Andscape. He likes rap, rock, reggae, R&B and remixes — in that order.