The year 2020 became a defining moment in the modern fight for racial justice, and singer-songwriter Chantel Cofie found a powerful way to put the emotions of that turbulent year into music.
Cofie’s original song “2020” was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and the events surrounding the death of George Floyd. Rather than simply observing what was happening around the world, the Australian artist used her voice to address racism, injustice and the demand for meaningful change. Cofie also spoke before an estimated 14,000 people at a Black Lives Matter protest following Floyd’s death.
The song gained an even larger audience in 2021 when Cofie performed “2020” during her blind audition for The Voice Australia. Singing an original song on such a major stage was already a bold choice, but the performance paid off spectacularly: all four coaches turned their chairs, and Cofie received a standing ovation. The official Voice audition video went on to attract millions of views.
“2020” also reached beyond the television stage. Cofie sent the song and its music video to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison along with a letter discussing racial issues, including the treatment of Indigenous Australians. Morrison responded personally, acknowledging her use of music to encourage discussion and change.
What makes “2020” especially memorable is that it serves as more than a snapshot of one extraordinary year. It belongs to the long tradition of artists using music to confront injustice, document social movements and give a voice to people demanding to be heard. For Chantel Cofie, “2020” became both a protest song and a remarkable introduction to an artist unafraid to make her music mean something.
You can grab this emotional track over on Amazon and iTunes.
2020 (LYRICS)
The Voice Australia (2021)
