J. PERIOD and Jessie Williams Teamed Up for ‘Rise Up!’ Album

Celebrated DJ-producer J. PERIOD is working on a collaborative project with actor-activist Jesse Williams called RISE UP! Music Inspired by America Divided.

The album, inspired by the EPIX docu-series, will address social issues affecting black lives including criminal justice, immigration, housing and education. Among the artists contributing to the project including Black Thought, Aloe Blacc, Pharoahe Monch, Posdnuos, Eric Roberson and Joss Stone. The set’s first single is “Miranda” featuring Rhymefest and Xzibit with an introduction from Williams.

"This is a project inspired by my work on the EPIX original docu-series America Divided,'” J. Period tell HipHopDX. “I was asked to compose the theme song for the show, and in the process of producing the track, I got inspired to get more involved, create music around these issues, and help raise awareness."

Williams adds that a music project like RISE UP! is very much needed in these days and time. "I am a proud producer of the America Divided docu-series and honored to work alongside producer and mixtape master, J.PERIOD, in creating a soul-sonic experience that is both homage and inspiration to the critical thinking that undergirds liberation movements of past, present, and future," he said.

J. PERIOD’s last project, The Hamilton Mixtape, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Album chart. For more info on the RISE UP! project, head over to jperiod.com.

Check out the song "Miranda (Rise Up)" featuring Rhymefest, Xzibit and Jesse Williams below.