Gary Clark Jr. Tackles Racism, Politics, and the American Experience in ‘This Land’ Music Video

Texas-born rock and blues virtuoso Gary Clark Jr. makes his case for being America’s son in his new music video for “This Land,” the politically charged title track off his upcoming third album.

Directed by Savanah Leaf and shot near Clark’s home in Texas, the genre-bending tune’s video (above) shows him wailing on his axe while singing about everything from racism, xenophobia, and police brutality in the U.S. It’s accompanied by powerful images of black children playing peacefully in a field filled with hidden dangers like a noose, Confederate flags, and a snake in the grass.

“I basically just told [Leaf] where I came from and she made a beautiful short film out of it,” Clark explained in a recent Rolling Stone interview. “Shout out to her, much love. I hope the video and the song together accomplish acceptance and moving forward — feed the babies, teach the babies to love.”

Clark, who won a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance with “Please Come Home” in 2013, embarks on a world tour in March following the release of “This Land.” While it’s his first new album since 2015’s “The Story of Sonny Boy Slim,” the musician has stayed busy with other projects in the interim. He covered the Beatles’ “Come Together” for the “Justice League” soundtrack in 2017 and kept the superhero theme going last year, appearing as himself and performing on Marvel’s “Luke Cage.”

Gary Clark Jr.’s “This Land” is available March 1.