“We Learned to Our Amazement the Untold Tale of Scandal”
- Gil Scott-Heron (1970)
The untimely, inhumane and grotesque, racially-motived murders of George
Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmuad Arbery and Belly Mujinga have sparked an anti-racism
uprising and revolution like no other in modern world history. To echo the
word’s of Ms. E Tendayi Achiume (UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance); “The
world is witnessing the largest ever transnational mobilization against
systemic racism…” and long may it continue.
From its inception, Hip-hop music has always been used as an avenue to
advocate for change and address critical issues and topics within Society. As a medium of art dominated by Black people
but for the most part owned and financed by white millionaires (and
millionaires turned billionaires off the back of Black artists), hip-hop is an
art form which acts as a microcosm of wider society.
However, my goal here is not to speak specifically to this dynamic, (but maybe I’ll do that at a later date), rather I’m here to provide some listening suggestions for this time. As I’ve already expressed in a previous blog hip-hop has therapeutic qualities like no other form of music. At the same time, Hip-hop, at least for me, has always been a great educational tool which can very quickly and easily provide a foundational base of knowledge on larger structural issues which need be addressed within humanity. Thus, I want to provide to you some contemporary songs, albums and artist which I think you should take the time to listen to as we all continue to fight for equality, equity, justice and Black liberation.
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In the past week alone, I’ve woken up EVERYDAY to news of another Black Woman, being killed, going missing or being sexually assault. And what’s truly frightening is that I’m probably only experiencing 0.1% of what Black Women see and deal with every week of their lives.
I went to sleep with tears in my ears when I first
read about Oluwatoyin Salau’s kidnapping and murder as she fought tirelessly towards justice for her people. And with every passing day I worry more and more
that we won’t see true justice for Breonna Taylor.
As Noname rightfully says on this song, “this
the new world order”. And she’s 100% correct we’re seeing the birth of new
world order. One where Black Women must be and will be championed and respected
by all. And to that end…
“But damn, why I feel faker than Snow on tha bluff?
Well, maybe 'cause deep down I know I ain't doin' enough”
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No matter how much we’re each doing, we need to truly ask and question, can we do more. Can we go further. As men, are we riding and advocating for justice on behalf of Breonna Taylor, Oluwatoyin Salau, Shukri Abdi and Belly Mujinga, just as hard as we ride for Brother Ahmuad and Mr. Floyd. Are you planning to educate your future sons just as strongly as you hope to protect your daughters. And to all of us, are we as outraged and working as hard as we need to, in the fight against racism and systematic oppression. Or are wasting our time and energy concerned with who’s dissing who?
“A crooked copper got the dropper, I put lead in his eye,
'Cause we heard he murdered a black child, so none of us cried”
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The whole Run the Jewels series, 1 through 4,
features commentary and exploration into the oppression of various communities
and the need to overthrow the status quo and create a new normal in society. To
that point I could have listed almost any song from any of the teams 4 release.
But I would implore you to give this album a listen, as many of the messages
are poignant during the current international state of affairs.
Please believe me when I tell you, I very easily could’ve picked any combination of lines from this whole entire song. I settled on the first two lines of the song for simple fact that life’s ills sadly leave too many Black people, (myself included) forgetting that these things are true.
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Title: SYM
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If you’re British educate yourself on these very serious parts of history which have never been taught in schools but are affecting our society to this day. and you can use this song as an entry point to a much deeper concerted exploration. But most importantly SYM if even for a moment you think Black People want to continue being killed indiscriminately by police, hanged from trees in public, mistreated and overlooked by healthcare officials and treated like less than the Kings and Queens which we are.
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Literally every song (and the album title) is named after an influential Black Woman. Like literally every single one. Like all 16 Songs. It’s a history lesson waiting to happen. You can literally just google the names of each song, and you’ll instantly learn something.
And then when you actually press play on the
album, you’re treated to a story of being Black and being a Black Woman in
America and the struggles, which existing in this intersectionality comes
with. Black, White, Male, Female, you
will learn something from this album. I implore you to listen and if you
already have I implore to keep this in your constant rotation.
Now I couldn’t leave you with all these extremely poignant and serious songs without also suggesting something fun, something for the summertime. In case you missed it, Free Nationals dropped a musical masterclass right at the end of 2019. A feel good album with vibes for any and everyone. The past 4 weeks have been filled with distressing, triggering and traumatizing news. Almost every time I log into Twitter or Instagram I’m learning of another Black person being murdered. This much tragic news is not good for anyone. So, I recommend this album as way for each of you to take a break and get some feel good vibes within your day.
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But above all, please do not stop fighting for justice for all the Black
People across the globe who have lost their lives at the hands of racism and
white supremacy. And please, let’s all continue to work towards the impending
liberation of all Black People the world over.
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