Slow Heat
- Nicole
- Sep 26, 2019
- 3 min read
Slow Heat: Late Summer Vibrations
The way the temperature of Ohlone land (San Francisco) rises and falls this time of year makes me think about my connection to this land and what it means to feel connected to land(s).
What are the various lands my people have had to engage with, forced or by choice?
Which climate does my body prefer? What are the needs of my joints? My bones? What does my body crave?
As I thought about these questions, I began to define my cravings through sound vibrations. Though I can't immediately determine which climate is best for my body, this playlist is the music my body and spirit craves right now.
Music featured in this playlist crosses genre, time, borders, race, ethnicity, and gender. While it might not seem like it at first, all of these songs are connected to the African Diaspora in different ways.
Funk, Blues, and Rock'n'Roll
The playlist starts with Jamaican-American model, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress Grace Jones. With a little taste of Jamaican patois and Jones' mom on backing vocals, this early '80s reggae-pop song evokes unbothered glam. I am forever inspired by Jones' afro-futurist high fashion aesthetic and you should be too.
Brazilian samba-funk sibling group Trio Ternura gives us hand-claps and harmonized vocals in "Filhos de Zambi." These details are a nod to West African musical styles reflective of communal orientation, rhythm, and melody. This song makes me feel good.
My feelings toward "Miss You" by The Rolling Stones are complicated. While I love this song, I can't ignore the dark reality that white rock musicians often took advantage of Black blues artists by stealing their songs. The Stones were heavily inspired by American blues artists Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and Muddy Waters. Legend Muddy Waters, a prime influence of The Rolling Stones said, “They stole my music, but they gave me my name.”
"All Along the Watchtower" by African-Native American Jimi Hendrix is a Bob Dylan cover. Hendrix admired Dylan’s songwriting, and Dylan was moved by Hendrix's guitar heavy re-articulation of his folksy classic.
"Evil Ways" by Mission-bred Mexican-American Carlos Santana is a classic song that fuses Latinx music and Blues. Both this song and Santana are connected to the African Diaspora in a few ways. Santana's musical inspirations include Black blues artists like B.B. King and John Lee Hooker. "Evil Ways" is a cover of Black Jazz percussionist Willie Bobo's 1967 song (Santana did credit Bobo for this song).
In addition, there are many Mexican people of African descent. In 2016, the Mexican government officially recognized its 1.38 million Black citizens in a national survey. This move not only legitimizes the experiences of Black people in Mexico, but also allows for this population to demand specific political rights.
Mother Land(s)
Celebrating the diversity of Black womanhood, both Erykah Badu's "Booty" and Lil' Kim's "Big Momma Thang" critique respectability politics characterized by Victorian sexual saintliness and assimilation to white middle class culture. Lil' Kim uses her body and music as aesthetic critique. Badu, who centers African aesthetics and spirituality in her work, resists assimilation to Eurocentric values that attempt to demonize African identity.
These women taught me that there is no correct way to be a Black woman, as we are people and we contain multitudes.
Slow Heat takes it back to the mother land with Nigerian rapper Falz's catchy songs "Alakori" and "Jeje." Body rolls may commence.
As a Black American, I always feel a mix of wonder, mystery, curiosity, and pride toward Africa. I don't know which part of Africa my Black ancestors came from, but listening and dancing to African hip-hop is healing for my spirit.
We end in North America, with creative mastermind and fashion icon Missy Elliot. Elliot was rocking bold, colorful streetwear ensembles before it was considered "high fashion" (and before hip-hop became "mainstream"). Elliot reminds us that she is an icon with "Throw it Back." She didn't need to remind me, though.
While I highlighted the some of the African influences in this playlist, culture is not static or fixed. Culture is messy. Culture is born of many people mixing and interacting over time and across borders.
Like a balmy September evening, I hope this mix makes you feel connected to your body and its distinct cravings.
Now get on with your day and enjoy Slow Heat!
For more information, check out these resources:
Commentaires