Last week, new Web site Blackpower ran my first column. I'll be contributing weekly, offering a Black rockist POV on things. I was excited to get involved with the site after reading what they hope to be about:
There's more here.
Anyway, here's the column, "Black rock: The Soundtrack for Obama":
The 21st century in America will officially begin on January 20, 2009, when Barack Obama takes the oath of office as the 44th
president of the United States. And, as we usher in a new age, I
suggest that African Americans consider a new soundtrack to accompany
it. And there’s no better music to underscore the cultural shift
that’s taken place in the community than Black rock. Here’s why:
Black rock has always been about more than just “Blacks playing
rock”. Granted, the movement started that way in 1985 when, in
well-known lore, Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, cultural critic
Greg Tate and artist manager Konda Mason formed the Black Rock
Coalition. Its purpose was to confront the music industry’s limited
notions of what constituted Black music, as well as reclaim music that
was created by Black folks. Well and good, right? But say “Black rock” to
most people, and they think Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz, Living Colour,
Fishbone, maybe Bad Brains. I’d bet the sound they think of is one
that’s very much loud, guitar-driven and male. But much more exciting
is the fact that, over the last 23 or so years, Black rock has evolved
into so much more.
Read the remainder @ Blackpower.com
Of course, if there are things you all feel I should be writing about, drop me a note at rafields [at] gmail [dot] com.
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