Me'Shell NdegéOcello - Leviticus: Faggot

from album "Peace Beyond Passion" (1996)
Director: Kevin Bray
Cinematography: Russell Swanson

[@MartinDelCarpio]

I give it up to Me'shell for releasing this back in 1996!

[@fingerstofists]

It wasn't controversial then beyond press that wanted to find it so. People have an incredibly warped idea of what the 90s was like.

[@armandoosuna6525]

I remember watching this as a gay middle schooler. I remember it was the first time I'd heard the word "faggot" in a music video, mind you on vh1. Mind you, seeing the story of the video. I remember thinking what my classmates would say if they watched the video. Or knew that I was absolutely fascinated by it. I honestly questioned for months if Meshell was a boy. I honestly don't think it was 1996 when this came out. It doesn't feel that way. Perhaps Im wrong, I'll check. But I do recall how young I was and how represented I felt by the video in such a controversial time in my life, in the 90's.

[@mydietisfruitsnuttandseed9817]

@@fingerstofists meh, I lived through the 90s. if this came out in 1996 this was brave af.

[@misterbee66]

Exactly. When it was not politically correct to use that word nor was it out in the open.

[@mannyfran8024]

Meanwhile today, FM radio edits Money for Nothing 🤨​@armandoosuna6525

[@MichaelLesesne]

90% of the men in the Black Church need to watch this video. #howyoudoin' LOL

[@MrJuly1990ish]

+Michael Lesesne I'll be bold enough to say the women too. Some of those "single" black women in the black church, are not all there praying to God to bring them a man. Shit, you'll be surprise some of those black church going women are actually into women, especially down in the south.

[@tanyawade5197]

MrJuly1990ish: 😲

[@mateye]

this song helped me through a very difficult time in my life- i came out at 15 & "leviticus" taught me a lot at that early period. thank you Me'Shell ❤

[@tanyawade5197]

Matt Eye: 🌈

[@astrogliding]

Hey me too. At the age of 20.

[@ramonc1942]

Me too! I wish I could have been a friend to you!!!! SO much love!

[@Poeticlovechildd]

Repent ⚠️

[@seanharris4251]

This is some powerful stuff. Soo underrated as an artist..

[@joebloggs1910]

God damn right

[@ieshiasherrer6810]

I agree.

[@anthonyantoine716]

True recording activism. Meshell Ndegeocello is the TRUTH! What an inspiration!

[@epochink]

Her humanity is shown by the way she actually shows some compassion for the parents who are also trapped in their own religious bigotry. Tragic.

[@KineticLeather]

Everything about Meshelle is passionate and sincere. She's what many artists fall short of being in their career.

[@meandmehadi]

lay it out there, Sister! this will go down in music history alongside Strange Fruit

[@volumecorps]

One of the most under-rated musicians EVER! Should have won a grammy for the song title itself!

[@LaCheleWallace]

I loved Peace Beyond Passion. She really did her thing.

[@sashabertold3731]

I used to listen to this over and over back then and taped the video on my vhs! Me'Shell was way ahead and super brave! This should've gotten a Grammy!!!

[@texasvice1]

One tight bass line and a serious song!

[@zzzaaayyynnn]

remember when this came out, shockingly powerful

[@thomasgarrett3054]

I appreciate this song, on a personal level for a few different reasons which I need not discuss here. I've always had a deep profound respect for Me'Shell. I always will. I heard the Wild Night duet she did with John Mellancamp and looked into her ever since. :)

[@NemoUberKitty]

What a poet

[@atlasshrugged2u]

Love this Cd, love this song, love the whole "theme" She really had something to say, when it came to the "judgement" of Christinity and its followers and she said it beautifully in "PeacebeyondPassion" Being a Christian who loves and appreciates all music, it made me sit up and take notice of what she was trying to relay. Very powerful, yet sensitive and real, topped with beautiful melodies and a funky bass. As far as her sexuality; that's between her and God I have my own issues.

[@hotjoester]

She is a hero in my book. How many singers do you know of who are willing to address an issue as controversial as homophobia in their music so fearlessly? Great song.

[@upindaug43]

I like when she was on the radio show Loveline and Dr. Drew had to read the lyrics to this song.

[@vazarraabe9068]

Life is a living hell due to hypocrites!

[@cosmicghost811]

Vazar Raabe truth

[@SMurp215]

It’s nothing like the hell fires but it does suck .

[@danozism]

This song was twenty years too soon...

[@denisebrownstone1751]

No we needed it then we need it again

[@mattr4650]

It’s a shame it was made in the first place. Go back in the closet and have a sense of shame!

[@chewie1355]

I’m here after learning about Meshell Ndegeocello on Love Line June 17th 1996.

[@ciaochowbella]

Excellent song and excellent message. Love will eventually beat hate. One heart at a time. Love is not just for the religious or the straight. Love is for everybody. More love doesn't lead to destruction. More love leads to MORE LOVE.

[@terrenceragin5555]

Who can forget this Powerful story of so many?

[@MsJazzy511]

This was my favorite album back in the day. This cd was on repeat! Excellent work. Girlfriend is wonderful and this still jams !

[@Zaidemeit]

All of her music is relevant, and socially-conscious. She speaks truth to power, and is unafraid.

[@MartinDelCarpio]

A visceral and intense video with plenty of heart and soul. The way music should be.

[@ramonc1942]

Incredible track from an incredible album!

[@NoirMulherTV]

*Straight man here* First time listen to this song. Awesome groove.

[@nathanaelfwb]

Thank you so much much for this song , it changed my life in a good way, when I needed it. Love u always, Nathanael

[@tanyawade5197]

nathanaelfwb: Beautiful 💗🌈

[@jupiterisdagirl]

I love how homophobic comments are being made on a music video pertaining to a certain topic; which, by the way, was made by a bisexual woman. I'm loving it. I'm also loving how this issue is still being bashed to this very day. I also love how the same people who smoke, fornicate, rape, kill, steal, lust, drink alcohol, claim and praise the Lord, party on Saturday; shout on Sunday have something negative to say. True words: If you don't have anything nice to say, just be quiet. Thank you.

[@JoJo-mm8sn]

let's hope u r right

[@SageValentine]

One my faves by Meshell

[@professorrosenstock5026]

This came out the year I was born.

[@ishtapinks]

Bold, honest and great playing/singing. Compassionate art is what our world needs.

[@ultraviolettea]

this song/vid was the shit when it came out...no one was out there like Mechelle...she pissed me off once at a concert when she didnt sign autographs,lol but i still love her

[@jeremysears7402]

As an artist, this woman is on equal footing with the likes of Hendrix, Prince, & Pink Floyd. How can l make that claim?... l own ALL her albums. And all of the before mentioned. . Accept 'The Wall'. It's just not my favorite Floyd album you know?!?.. Anyways, through out her compositions she reaches the same level of creativity, mind blowing originality, and unbridled expression/artistry that the greats have. But she has 4 strikes against her. 1. woman 2. Black 3. B I - sexual 4. Outspoken and unapologetic 5. She was WAY too versatile for a popular mainstream audience. I'm straight/ male and a believer in Jesus but she speaks to me on many levels. And l owe A LOT of my bass playing skills yo her records.

[@tylerpapa1]

I agree with you 100% on all points!

[@edsmart6625]

I was just thinking that this is providence reincarnating both Prince and Nina Simone. Not just because she does great tributes to them, but because she has their originality and incredible style. And I love where how she goes into danger, like with this song. The arrangements and execution is so damn tight. I keep trying to put her in the background and read something and I can't her music is too interesting.

[@tanyawade5197]

What a wonderful statement from a true admirer🌈

[@missladyanonymity]

I never watched Pose, but I feel like this song would be on the Pose soundtrack

[@ck5891]

Why did I JUST hear this song!? She has been here since the Ninety's? WOW

[@LysetteOne]

5 stars. video gives me the chills. i've always loved this track cuz it's mad fonky.

[@thenurse36]

I would not say this is stereotyping...this really does happen. I would love to say that it doesn't happen as much anymore but I can't say that for a fact. but, give Me'Shell the props she deserves for even TALKING about this...so many artists shy away from this subject when it NEEDS talking about. knowledge is power! thank you so much for posting!!!

[@tallsmile28]

That bridge is awesome!

[@josephsalinas1827]

This whole song is awesome!

[@o.sch.847]

love it. geeee....

[@ronniesanders711]

hell yes. Great stand!

[@75andalive]

never saw the vid 2 this,deep message,like the end 2 this song,she transcends everything into spiritual I-terpretation,love her thats my SISTAH !

[@VaniusHP]

tragic that this mentality still exists. so many young people homeless because they came out to their families. *smh* it's really sad, someday though perhaps......

[@oak82]

This video mirrors my adolescence. Thanks for uploading it.

[@Necronom45]

The breakdown from the album version is the best part of this song ...its cut for the vid!!!This whole album is one of the greatest pieces of music from the 90's easily :)

[@fairygrrl45]

i WISH THIS WERE THE FULL VERSION! *sniffsniff* But amazing and powerful anyway. Meshell is absolutely amazing....I can't get enough of her.

[@LostAngel723]

That was five months ago and my view on the bible and outlook on life has changed. If you would have responded to this at the time I posted, there would be a debate but since I actually agree, no need. So peace and God bless!

[@Jimandthegringos]

Album magnifico! Funky da paura! Impossible to unchain the foot on the ground. Grande Me Shell! Love!

[@tgmtgmtgm]

Excellent song. Provocative video. How parents can reject a child because of his or her sexuality eludes me.

[@bsofresh83]

love this song. she is so dope.

[@alexowain]

Video compliments the song very well, brilliant stuff.

[@lavendersunny]

Love this!!

[@Cut3gyrl4lyfe]

GENIUS!

[@jody808]

she is such a brave artist with her music

[@fordham77]

miss hearing you in SF at The Justice League! OMFG!!! that brings me back. i love this song. I'm proud to be spell out the word G.A.Y.

[@spykenij]

I remember buying this CD. It's been what I categorize as an essential ever since. I went to see Sting at E.J. Thomas Hall in Akron in the late 90's and it was a total surprise to me that she opened for him. It was an incredible performance from both that I will never forget.

[@elsvi]

meshell is truly gifted. this song has a very powerful message. i wish some people would listen to it. surely we don't need any more bigots around here..

[@franckypoo]

lover her!!!!!!!

[@marekp]

Powerful! Thank you!

[@BigBlackRod]

Methinks thou doth protest TOO much...PEACE.

[@2000everett4]

Excellent video.

[@astrolabe1976]

amazing song!

[@Speer82]

Great bass player

[@hammernationfunk6465]

Pure funk

[@SphericSenseS]

Thank you for writing this song....You're the funk savant! I posted one of my songs. I miss hearing you in SF at The Justice League!

[@danozism]

or the world were twenty years too late!!!

[@patrickkelcey2435]

Peace beyond passion Where does it start Where does it end ...save him...

[@leannelliedavis5782]

Cool tune!

[@rerob52]

Good Song and Video !. Respect !!!!1

[@shackywack8926]

Striking, emotional song.

[@tallsmile28]

This song is funky!!!

[@musicbay4336]

Realy cool video and song compliments

[@brigantineatlanticcity3913]

AWesome groove

[@tallsmile28]

The baseline is the truth!!!

[@BillysMum]

Amazing :)

[@KiraHil]

meshell is brilliant

[@H2obearer]

Powerful!

[@greencurl1814]

SHe is a AMAZING in all she does

[@2blakandbold]

Powerful!!!!!

[@tanyahicks8223]

I like it the video

[@SayItTwice1122]

i. love. her.

[@williampendergrass6257]

not caring about people preferences theres more going on in this world then that just love good music

[@josephsalinas1827]

Amen bruh

[@1980Triumph]

I am not wrong for acknowledging right and wrong. I believe they can be helped just like any other problem in this world, I believe in helping in strong love just as I need for myself in the things I do wrong.

[@TheBoneRanger1968]

Good song!

[@astrolabe1976]

you know, if people have seen the movie Doubt.. you can see the connection between this song and the movie..

[@davideskenazi8806]

I’d put “Plantation Lullabies” and “Peace Beyond Passion” up there with ANY two consecutive album releases ever.

[@sammanthagcinekilendlovu3862]

story of my life

[@ciararavenblaze]

what are you going to do when God tells you that you were wrong for judging others for their sexuality?

[@jdilly1000]

The Video the Music was Powerful Poetry.

[@Backatwon]

you right!!

[@Momo74153]

Paul Christopher Taylor's chapter "Make it Funky" brought me here!

[@ciararavenblaze]

you go ahead and keep on believing that, dear.

[@jrubenstein]

I think she's performing at Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey this Thursday. #yayuh :-)

[@eslmc]

Great song. Too sad.

[@Pooniepoo]

wow...that vid is deep

[@GypsyFairy85]

Would love to hear dUg Pinnick do a cover of this.

[@Rounder2205]

I thought this was unironic when I first heard it on radio.

[@MrJuly1990ish]

@TheJoyceChanelShow You miss the point on why Me'Shell use the term "faggot" in this song, she was interview on PBS years ago when her second album/CD "Peace Beyond Passion" was release back in 1996 and she breaks it down, goes deep about homophobia in the black community, closeted selfloathing gays in church, organized religion general.

[@babzolina]

Me'shell is of course talking about her own experiences... "Save him" is in fact "Save her"... Or even "Save me"...