Naomi Pilgrim links up with rappers Sa-Roc and Yugen Blakrok to cover The Specials' "Racist Friend"

The Swedish/Barbadian artist uses her stunning voice to add electricity to the seminal ska outfit's 1983 hit, with USA wordsmith Sa-Roc and South Africa's Yugen Blakrok adding their own incisive verses. The result is potent, with hard-hitting beats and a message jarringly apropos to 2017's hellish start.

Pilgrim says of the cover: "Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt the need to act, but instead you looked the other way? As long as we’re hiding within our comfort zone, keeping our mouth shut, we’re not going to have an equal society and that’s the message of this song. Silence enables the growing hate and that’s why racism, sexism and discrimination needs to be addressed at all times. Speak up! You’re needed. We must fight for equality every single day. Let’s stick together."

Pilgrim had a fairly busy 2016, with last year's majestic "Sink Like A Stone" and its associated EP, plus various singles and remixes hitting our ears.