Soft and Music

In response to the Virginia Tech shootings, R. Kelly has penned ‘Rise Up,’ a song of hope and encouragement for the victims’ families and all who have been affected by the event. Kelly was on his tour bus when details of the shooting were unfolding on the news, and he was so compelled that he began writing lyrics that eventually became this moving anthem. In the bridge, Kelly sings, “
You see struggle/ Struggle has no color/ No color/ In the midst of the crisis/ You are my sister and I’m your brother/ And side by side we’ll face this thing/ Standing tall/ You and me.
” You can listen to R. Kelly’s ‘Rise Up’ here, and it will also be available for purchase as a digital single on Tuesday, May 15. All of the song’s proceeds will go to the university’s official memorial fund.