About this project
When I was younger, I wished I could have participated in the world-changing demonstrations of the American civil rights movement. Bittersweetly, my wish has been granted. Recent events have revealed that institutional racism and racial wounds in the U.S. are deep and festering. With increased awareness of police brutality due to technology, with incarceration rates of Black Americans being grossly disproportionate, with the political power swing in our latest election, the nation is more divided than it has been in recent years. I realized, whatever I am doing now is exactly what I would’ve done back in the 60’s. “A Time Like This” was birthed out of frustration, righteous anger, and a conviction that ugliness should be countered with beauty, we should fight evil with poetry. Tired stereotypes must be undone with creativity. The title, “A Time Like This,” is from the story of Queen Esther, a courageous woman in Jewish history. She lived in a time of great injustice. Genocide was about to be committed against her people and she had the choice to hide her racial identity, or risk her life by challenging her husband; the very King who ordered the genocide. Esther’s uncle Mordecai wisely suggested that there may be divine purpose for her existing among such injustice; “who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” Heeding his advice, Queen Esther was able to save her people from extinction. I believe it is no accident that I am here, in America, 2017. This album will explore what that reason could be via hip hop and poetry. There is purpose in this madness and I am thankful to all who will partner with me in fulfilling that purpose. There’s a reason we were made for a time like this.
Risks and challenges
In the past I partnered with justice organizations that were able to help fund my albums. This time around I'd like to partner with all of you, as a major theme of this project is accomplishing things in community. I have and will continue to make all of my albums available for free when they're released. Because of that, I need some help in creating them. I've started recording the album already in faith that y'all will come through for me. Really the only risk is this kickstarter not succeeding!
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