Music For Right Now
June 17, 2020 6:15 PM Subscribe
Bob Boilen at NPR's All Songs Considered brings us Music For Right Now. "Over the past few weeks and in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of the Minneapolis police, black artists have released a multitude of music that is a must-listen. On this edition of All Songs Considered, we hear from five of them." [25 minutes NPR listen, also accompanying article with YouTube links to all five of the songs.]
Thanks! This was a good listen.
More music, from a different perspective: Benji B on BBC Radio 1 (general link to available episodes) has recently been more explicitly talking about the history of Black musicians in the various realms of dance music, and highlighting more songs that could be called political, or simply about Black perspectives. I note this because while his show always has featured a fantastic mix of music from around the world in the past, it's interesting to hear shows and music that focuses on Black experiences. In the past, his shows and other BBC shows I've followed have not addressed current events, and focused on new dance music that sometimes gets topical.
It also feels like Music For Right Now, but as heard in Gil Scott-Heron's "No Knock" (YouTube; lyrics on Genius) it's also music we've had for a while, because this is not new. Scott-Heron released that song on an album in 1977. As Benji B said in the June 4 episode, "voices from across the decades, talking about the same struggle."
Here's are links to sets on BBC:
More music, from a different perspective: Benji B on BBC Radio 1 (general link to available episodes) has recently been more explicitly talking about the history of Black musicians in the various realms of dance music, and highlighting more songs that could be called political, or simply about Black perspectives. I note this because while his show always has featured a fantastic mix of music from around the world in the past, it's interesting to hear shows and music that focuses on Black experiences. In the past, his shows and other BBC shows I've followed have not addressed current events, and focused on new dance music that sometimes gets topical.
It also feels like Music For Right Now, but as heard in Gil Scott-Heron's "No Knock" (YouTube; lyrics on Genius) it's also music we've had for a while, because this is not new. Scott-Heron released that song on an album in 1977. As Benji B said in the June 4 episode, "voices from across the decades, talking about the same struggle."
Here's are links to sets on BBC:
- 4 June 2020 - with Samora Pinderhughes, pianist, composer and activist (also on 1001 Tracklists with embedded Mixcloud audio)
- 11 June 2020 - with Kelsey Lu
- 18 June 2020 - with Lord Tusk
I've been thinking on this post, and what I listen to on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra, and radio hosts in general, but especially with these shows that highlight Music For Right Now.
I've been late to realize that these shows are white hosts as gatekeepers for Black voices who are speaking about their pain and experiences. Bob Boilen, Benji B, René LaVice, and recently, Toddla T. The last three are hosts on BBC, who have shows that focus on "urban dance culture," to put it in the most square way possible. It's r'n'b, grime, UK rap, drum'n'bass, and lots of beat-focused music that makes me so happy.
And there are a LOT of Black artists who are played, showcased and celebrated, but it's presented by these white gatekeepers.
I thought about this when listening to Radio 1's Soundsystem with Toddla T on June 5, 2020 (BBC Sounds; 1001 Tracklists with embedded Mixcloud stream for posterity). About 31 minutes in, Toddla T, another white host, talks about the brutal killing of George Floyd, and the world-wide protests, and points listeners to Seani B & DJ Ace hosting a special edition of 1Xtra Talks
Maurice and Ashley shared their own stories, about tempering their voices and trying to be smaller and quieter as to not scare white people, and the day-to-day stories of other people, with a UK perspective on what some see (or might have seen, initially) as a US issue.
Except the same police racism and profiling is prevalent in the UK, with Julian Cole being almost totally paralysed and severely brain damaged in police custody, which police lied about (Guardian), and while they were eventually fired, it took more than 5 years for any justice in that case, which Cole's family likened to the killing of Eric Garner (Wikipedia), due to it's racist, tragic similarities.
Maurice and Ashley also talked about how tired they are about hearing companies tout Black Lives Matter, yet there are no Black people in their management, let alone board rooms. And they talked about talk about being on BBC for 18 (!) years, yet only now getting some recognition and invites that their white counterparts have. Even asking promoters about that, how it's white DJs playing reggae, dancehall, soca, r'n'b, grime, and other genres predominantly made, performed and recorded by Black artists. Where are the Black DJs and selectors at those festivals?
As a white fan, it was eye-opening, and gutting. Back to the volunteer-managed spreadsheet of 2000+ Black Producers / Artists / Labels for Bandcamp Day (and beyond), and considering which DJs I follow to keep up with modern dance music.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:21 PM on June 29, 2020
I've been late to realize that these shows are white hosts as gatekeepers for Black voices who are speaking about their pain and experiences. Bob Boilen, Benji B, René LaVice, and recently, Toddla T. The last three are hosts on BBC, who have shows that focus on "urban dance culture," to put it in the most square way possible. It's r'n'b, grime, UK rap, drum'n'bass, and lots of beat-focused music that makes me so happy.
And there are a LOT of Black artists who are played, showcased and celebrated, but it's presented by these white gatekeepers.
I thought about this when listening to Radio 1's Soundsystem with Toddla T on June 5, 2020 (BBC Sounds; 1001 Tracklists with embedded Mixcloud stream for posterity). About 31 minutes in, Toddla T, another white host, talks about the brutal killing of George Floyd, and the world-wide protests, and points listeners to Seani B & DJ Ace hosting a special edition of 1Xtra Talks
Maurice (Seani B), Ashley (DJ Ace) and guests host a two-hour 1Xtra Talks special where we’ll hear the views and opinions of our listeners on George Floyd's tragic death, the recent events in the US and the broader topic of racial injustice and the Black community.(Mixcloud archive).
The two share their frank and honest experiences as black men in the UK, their concerns when raising young black sons during this time and how this most recent US death has given communities and industries a big wake up call.
Maurice & Ashley are joined by Nadine White (HuffPost UK), Siana Bangura (Black Lives Matter UK), Donovan Thompson (GrapeVine TV), June Sarpong (BBC Director of Creative Diversity), Che Lingo (Hip Hop artist), Jeremiah Asiamah (1Xtra DJ) and more...
Maurice and Ashley shared their own stories, about tempering their voices and trying to be smaller and quieter as to not scare white people, and the day-to-day stories of other people, with a UK perspective on what some see (or might have seen, initially) as a US issue.
Except the same police racism and profiling is prevalent in the UK, with Julian Cole being almost totally paralysed and severely brain damaged in police custody, which police lied about (Guardian), and while they were eventually fired, it took more than 5 years for any justice in that case, which Cole's family likened to the killing of Eric Garner (Wikipedia), due to it's racist, tragic similarities.
Maurice and Ashley also talked about how tired they are about hearing companies tout Black Lives Matter, yet there are no Black people in their management, let alone board rooms. And they talked about talk about being on BBC for 18 (!) years, yet only now getting some recognition and invites that their white counterparts have. Even asking promoters about that, how it's white DJs playing reggae, dancehall, soca, r'n'b, grime, and other genres predominantly made, performed and recorded by Black artists. Where are the Black DJs and selectors at those festivals?
As a white fan, it was eye-opening, and gutting. Back to the volunteer-managed spreadsheet of 2000+ Black Producers / Artists / Labels for Bandcamp Day (and beyond), and considering which DJs I follow to keep up with modern dance music.
posted by filthy light thief at 7:21 PM on June 29, 2020
Just wanted to add, albeit slightly belated, to the discussions. Obviously, art and music in particular is so vital for expression against what's difficult to discuss..
Nowadays, there's so much wonderful soul, R&B, rap, etc which expresses these sentiments. As jazz artist Wynton Marsalis said (in regards to the common form of the blues music), it's like a vaccine.. by taking a dose of blues you can become resistant to it.
Interestingly, with protest music I believe it wasn't always called that. I remember listening to an Alan Lomax recording with Blind Willie McTell (during at session I think in the 1940s), where Lomax jarringly asks Blind Willie if he knows any "complaning" songs. So it's good to know we've come some way.
Another point in regards to music and social justice is that, as much as historically the industry has tried to commandeer music from foreign cultures and market it within the usual corporate, American system, it's still quite resistant to that. For instance, with Little Richard, after Pat Boone covered his song Tutti Frutti and had even more success than Richard with it, Richard was obviously frustrated; this motivated him to record Long Tall Sally; a song he felt couldn't be replicated. Even with where did the blues start, or jazz, it's claimed it's done in America whereas certainly it's rooted in African-American tradition.
Overall, though these Floyd protests are at their marination stage, obviously it would be awesome to continue! Thanks for the link and especially that first song with Gary Clark Jr and the Roots is awesome.
posted by quit160 at 1:01 PM on July 13, 2020
Nowadays, there's so much wonderful soul, R&B, rap, etc which expresses these sentiments. As jazz artist Wynton Marsalis said (in regards to the common form of the blues music), it's like a vaccine.. by taking a dose of blues you can become resistant to it.
Interestingly, with protest music I believe it wasn't always called that. I remember listening to an Alan Lomax recording with Blind Willie McTell (during at session I think in the 1940s), where Lomax jarringly asks Blind Willie if he knows any "complaning" songs. So it's good to know we've come some way.
Another point in regards to music and social justice is that, as much as historically the industry has tried to commandeer music from foreign cultures and market it within the usual corporate, American system, it's still quite resistant to that. For instance, with Little Richard, after Pat Boone covered his song Tutti Frutti and had even more success than Richard with it, Richard was obviously frustrated; this motivated him to record Long Tall Sally; a song he felt couldn't be replicated. Even with where did the blues start, or jazz, it's claimed it's done in America whereas certainly it's rooted in African-American tradition.
Overall, though these Floyd protests are at their marination stage, obviously it would be awesome to continue! Thanks for the link and especially that first song with Gary Clark Jr and the Roots is awesome.
posted by quit160 at 1:01 PM on July 13, 2020
« Older The Rape Kit’s Secret History | Commence eye-roll sequence Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
I was turned on to this track earlier today and though it's from 2017, it's as relevant as ever.
posted by Catblack at 8:05 PM on June 17, 2020 [1 favorite]