Singer-Songwriter, producer and advocate MILCK has teamed up with BIIANCO, Grammy-winner Autumn Rowe, and Ani DiFranco for an urgent new protest song “We Won’t Go Back,” created in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, built from audio recorded during a protest on the steps of the Supreme Court in DC.

The new music video, released on August 18, 2022, was directed by Jen Rosentein, who has worked with artists like Jason Mraz, Pentatonix, and Jennifer Hudson, and features comedian Sarah Rose Hyland (MTV Punk’d, MadTV) along with all of the artists who created “We Won’t Go Back.” Fifty percent of the song’s proceeds will be donated to Planned Parenthood, SisterSong and Yellowhammer Fund. To join their efforts the artists invite others to donate to MILCK’s I Can’t Keep Quiet Fund, housed in the Community Foundation of Louisville, for which 100% of the donations will directly benefit the three aforementioned beneficiaries.

Featuring the faces of MILCK and her collaborators imposed upon famous artworks of women throughout history, including Mona Lisa and Aphrodite, it’s a visual of strength and unity that implicates the effect of important decisions in today’s society — ones that can alter the trajectory of progress forever and set back the efforts of generations of activists with one swift political judgement. 

“We Won’t Go Back” began in DC the day after the Politico leak on Roe v. Wade, which would eliminate the constitutional right to abortion. MILCK participated in a rally where hundreds of people gathered in protest and the cathartic, powerful chant “We won’t go back!” became the resounding anthem. 

That night, MILCK took the audio she’d recorded from the protests and created a sample that would soon become a song, which she would share on social media, offering the audio to her community with the intention that others will contribute their voices and stories. “Community is the cure for most problems, and this song was no exception,” says MILCK, who has documented the song’s creation and release on social media. See more from her stories on Instagram: @MILCKmusic and Facebook: /MILCKmusic.

“The process of creating this song embodies one of my favorite quotes from Maxine Hong Kingston: ‘In times of destruction, create something’,” adds MILCK. “I hope this song gives people a sense of energy to continue fighting the good fight. I hope that it helps people process their rage, their determination, and their sassiness.”

“We Won’t Go Back” is a full-circle moment for MILCK, who five years ago became known around the globe for the viral performance of her song "Quiet" during the Women's March. “Quiet” became the unofficial anthem of the movement, was named Billboard’s No.1 Protest Song, and was selected for NPR’s American Anthem Series. MILCK has since established The Somebody’s Beloved Fund, to use her music to generate resources for ten grassroots beneficiaries that build power around racial justice, feminism, LGBTQIA+ rights, criminal justice reform and mental health. 

Recently, MILCK and Ani DiFranco offered their voices to Billboard’s cover story feature ‘Roe’ Overturned: Music’s Leaders on How to Take Action. MILCK’s been featured in the Grammy Museum, TIME Magazine, Elle, NPR, The Kelly Clarkson Show and more. She's become an important voice for women’s rights and recently spoken at Global Citizen NOW (which also included Billy Porter, Connie Britton and Gayle King), Planned Parenthood's #BansOffOurBodies Livestream, Vital Voices' Global HQ Festival alongside Secretary Hillary Clinton and Diane von Furstenberg, and was featured in the Women Convention by Women’s March this week. On the topic of abortion, MILCK has appeared as a guest on the recent episode of Switched On Pop along with Ann Powers of NPR (Listen here) and on Katie Couric's Next Question podcast (See here).

PHOTO CREDIT: VEALY CELDRAN