Greetings family,
I hope this finds you keeping well, in good spirits and health. I’ve collated a few things I’ve seen online recently which have in some way edutained or inspired me. Hopefully they will do the same for you, let me know!
Yussef Dayes - “Classical Black Music”
Debut solo album from Yussef Dayes who is an important figure in the “London Jazz” scene.
Imeru Tafari - “Black Heart Man”
The latest single from Imeru Tafari, son of reggae dancehall artist Queen Ifrica.
This song makes heavy references to the Coral Gardens massacre, or Bad Friday in 1963. The line “Bustamante, sent police fi kill ‘nuff Ashanti” is a reference to the first Prime Minister of independent Jamaica and alleged “national hero” Alexander Bustamante who fought hard against the Rastafari community. Check this excellent video from the News2Me youtube channel on the Coral Gardens Massacre.
Queen Ifrica sheds light on DA in Jamaica
And as we’ve mentioned Queen Ifrica, we should note that the artist recently announced that she was a victim of abuse as a child. Here’s another excellent response to that from News2Me, which is becoming a key source of insight into Jamaican matters for me.
Samory I - “Wrath” featuring Kabaka Pyramid & Capleton
Samory-I is an exciting artist in the conscious reggae space, and he continues to build a buzz with this new release featuring the current reggae Grammy King Kabaka Pyramid, and the Dancehall legend Capleton.
Rootwork: Assata Shakur Revolution without Women
To round this update off, I enjoyed this recent discussion hosted by the wonderful Thandisizwe Chimurenga. I’m not sure I’d ever actually heard Mama Assata’s voice before.