Janelle Monáe speaks out against police brutality, immediately cut off by TODAY Show

Photo by David Brennan Hall

Janelle Monáe appeared on The TODAY Show Friday morning to perform her new protest anthem “Hell You Talmbout”. However, before the R&B goddess’ message could be fully realized, she was cut off by anchor Savannah Guthrie.

“God bless. God bless all the lives lost to police brutality,” declared Monáe as the performance came to a close. “We want white America to know that we stand tall today. We want black America to know we stand tall today. We will not be silenced!”

But silenced she was, as Guthrie began talking over Monáe’s speech. Whether or not NBC intentionally cut off Monáe is unknown, but the decision certainly struck a nerve among many: