Black Future Month…
“I’ve been thinking about The Blues more than usual, lately. Been taken by the dry notes and stirred by the airy, breathy moments in between them. Been thinking about Houston and Cornelius and a roll call of unidentified bodies who struggled with their indigo, who let their cobalt get the best of them.
For the future, I dream Black folks who look like themselves, who spell deeply on the nature around them, who sing songs to exorcise their demons, who then lay the troubled spirits down, without prematurely pushing their bodies to rest. I’ve been dreaming sweet songs about emancipation in the right time. I’ve been pondering liberty, and its expense. I’ve been trying to figure out who I want to be — and how to get there, and every time I land on a strategy, a blues melody starts playing somewhere nearby. Happened today. Here’s a clip of one of John Forte’s newest music videos, co-starring the arresting Valerie June, Give Me Water. I’m moved by Forte’s capacity for expanding our ideas of what Hip Hop can do. And in this case, expansion of a new form means reflecting on its roots. Neo-blues, I think he calls it, in between bars.
I’m moved by Forte’s capacity for expanding our ideas of what Hip Hop can do. And in this case, expansion of a new form means reflecting on its roots. Neo-blues, I think he calls it, in between bars.
“Post From Chinaka Hodge’s Website Thickwitness: For Girls With Hips
For the second year in succession, Chinaka is running a blog series called Black Future Month.
“Here, our task is two fold. We laud young, gifted, black futurists: those innovating in their respective fields and pushing towards the time to come. We also honor the pioneering ancestors and elders who set precedents in the arts, humanities and politics. Join us daily in February 2012 as we salute 29 tastemakers and their 29 forbearers. It’s a leap year, and in the future, the people can fly.” - Chinaka Hodge
