Today, Grammy Award winning R&B artist and songwriter Leon Bridges releases the official music video for “Sweeter” featuring Terrace Martin. Directed by his longtime photographer and collaborator Rambo, the video was filmed in Fort Worth, TX, in the neighborhood he grew up in and features his father and friends, including many from childhood. Filmed in a sun drenched hue, the video finds Leon celebrating life and community. Watch here.

Says Leon, “I wanted to shine a light on the Black community in Fort Worth, and specifically my childhood community from the Southside of Fort Worth. I had my friends and family with me; this is a celebration of our Blackness.”

“Sweeter”, written from the perspective of a black man taking his last breath and feeling his spirit leave his body, was originally written and recorded for a future album, however, in light of current events, Leon and Terrace felt compelled to release the song at once. Listen to “Sweeter” here.

Says Leon, “Growing up in Texas I have personally experienced racism, my friends have experienced racism. From adolescence we are taught how to conduct ourselves when we encounter police to avoid the consequences of being racially profiled. I have been numb for too long, calloused when it came to the issues of police brutality. The death of George Floyd was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me. It was the first time I wept for a man I never met. I am George Floyd, my brothers are George Floyd, and my sisters are George Floyd. I cannot and will not be silent any longer. Just as Abel’s blood was crying out to God, George Floyd is crying out to me. So, I present to you Sweeter."

Adds Terrace, “It is always an honor to share a platform with my dear brother Leon Bridges. This is meditation music; it is not music for the ears but rather music for the heart. I truly believe that eyes have been deceiving us for so long but the heart always tells the truth. The heart needs to be repaired. Black folk have been deceived so many years, the only thing that can turn it around is a heart full of love.”

Lyrics: Hoping for a life more sweeter,

Instead I’m just a story repeating.

Why do I fear with skin dark as night?

Can’t feel peace with those judging eyes.

I thought we moved on from the darker days.

Did the words of the King disappear in the air,

Like a butterfly?

Somebody should hand you a felony.

Because you stole from me,

My chance to be.

Hoping for a life more sweeter,

Instead I’m just a story repeating.

Why do I fear with skin dark as night?

Can’t feel peace with those judging eyes.

The tears of my Mother rain rain over me.

My sisters and my brothers sing sing over me.

And I wish I had another day, but it’s just another day.

Hoping for a life more sweeter,

Instead I’m just a story repeating.

Why do I fear with skin dark as night?

Can’t feel peace with those judging eyes.