Category: Music

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Commentary, Music

“Kersaia” by Matana Roberts: An Abstract Black Protest Song

Matana Roberts is an avant garde jazz musician and composer, a conceptual artist that focuses on creating narratives and stories that represent her experience and those of lived experiences of Black folks in the anthropocene. Her song, “Kersaia,” is the third song on the first installment of her Coin Coin series: Coin Coin Chapter 1: Gens de Couleur Libres. It’s a winding, shifting song with … Continue reading “Kersaia” by Matana Roberts: An Abstract Black Protest Song

Unknown's avatarMichael GormanLeave a comment
Commentary, Music

Nina Simone’s “Mississippi Goddam,” Paved a Way for Contemporary Black Protest Music

Producing a song about racism and society’s unwillingness to see it is a difficult task, but Nina Simone did so with her song “Mississippi Goddam,” taking it to the biggest music stages in America. The song is one of her biggest bouts of protest, a loud, passionate song reacting to senseless violence against Black folks. It specifically comes right after the politically motivated assassination of … Continue reading Nina Simone’s “Mississippi Goddam,” Paved a Way for Contemporary Black Protest Music

Unknown's avatarMichael GormanLeave a comment
Music, nectar poetry

THOMAS MAR WEE

Thomas Mar Wee (they/them) is a writer, poet, and editor based in New York and a senior studying English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University. A writer of poetry, fiction, and mixed-media work, their work seeks to explore liminality in literary forms and the ambiguities they inhabit as a mixed-race, genderqueer person. They are currently at work on a short story collection and a novel. Continue reading THOMAS MAR WEE

Unknown's avatarNECTAR POETRYLeave a comment
Music, Review

From 90’s Hip-Hop to the Neo-Soul: A Black Power Playlist Over the Years

Music has often been a sphere of Black empowerment, with artists like James Brown and Nina Simone, amongst many others, bringing Black experience and pride to millions of listeners. This playlist ranges from hip-shaking to solemn and quiet within just a few songs, a small display of the many sounds and feelings of music dedicated to Black Power. Solange — F.U.B.U. Off Solange’s 2015 album, A … Continue reading From 90’s Hip-Hop to the Neo-Soul: A Black Power Playlist Over the Years

Unknown's avatarMichael GormanLeave a comment
Music, Review

The DMV’s Top 5 Albums of 2020

The D.C. region is a hotbed of talented musicians. And while the region hasn’t quite received the recognition it deserves, the time is now to see the culture as it is: gushing with creative and eccentric musicians. From established stars to up-and-coming talents, these are five of the best albums from DMV born or raised artists in 2020. Wale — The Imperfect Storm Only eight months … Continue reading The DMV’s Top 5 Albums of 2020

Unknown's avatarMichael Gorman2 Comments
Music, New Music

Greentea Peng’s Revolution

Greentea Peng’s new music video for her song “Revolution” fuses past and present political movements with her neo-soul stylings to preach self-transformation. Drawing from reggae and hip hop, she creates an altogether new sound that resonates deeply with her message of critical care. The music video itself begins with reference to the ‘60s fear of camera surveillance, set in black and white, and ends with … Continue reading Greentea Peng’s Revolution

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Music, Review

Criminally Underrated: Benny Sings Proves Himself Again With “City Pop”

Despite a consistent career and continued performance, the world has still not woken up for Benny Sings. Since 2005, Benny Sings has put out six studio albums, one live album, and a beat tape. His work is consistently impressive, especially his Tiny Desk Concert from Jan. 2016. Benny Sings, known as Tim van Berkestijn, is a 42-year-old Dutch alternative artist that has been pumping out incredible music … Continue reading Criminally Underrated: Benny Sings Proves Himself Again With “City Pop”

Unknown's avatarAndrew EddsLeave a comment