MLK Day 2016

Also: Don't forget that Chuck D (from Public Enemy) is speaking at Augsburg College in Minneapolis for FREE. It is at 1pm, but show up early for a good spot.

MAVIS STAPLES
livinonahighnote.com

American R&B/gospel soul singer Mavis Staples will be releasing her latest Livin’ On A High Note on February 19, 2016, via Anti- Records. If you cannot wait for the official release date, she's allowed the lead single "High Note" and "MLK" to be downloaded now.

If you didn't know, MLK is the abbreviation for Martin Luther King… and in fact, songwriting credit is also credited to MLK and M Ward (who also produced the album).

Livin’ On A High Note Songwriting Credits

American rapper, writer, and poet Saul Williams will be releasing MartyrLoserKing album, via Fader Label, on January 19th. The title is clearly a nod to Martin Luther King.

In a recent installment of his mini-video series in conjunction with Tribeca Films called "The Announcement", Saul delivered the message of MLK's death.

Saul also previously mentioned that his goal for MartyrLoserKing was "to skim global issues, throw them into my drum machine and see what polyrhythms formed." And that the first single from MLK, "Burundi" would "coincide with democratic unrest in Burundi as their president attempts to re-write their constitution to run for a 3rd term. My hope is that this song & songs like it give the protesters the fuel they need to overcome over-militarized police & power hungry politicians. I want the politicians, police, and all who stand in the face of democracy with over-zealous self-interest to know that their candle is burning at both ends and that the collective WE will never be silenced and the more they try the more our voices will be heard. The technology of awareness is solar powered and cannot be turned off."

In 1980, Stevie Wonder released a song honoring Dr. King called, “Happy Birthday,” and Kyle Devine hope that his work with BJ The Voice on "Sad Smiles Happy Blues" would be on the same level as Stevie.

The song is a positive message of love and peace. As MLK said, "Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

BJ add, "I’m a part of the generation that is fed up with white supremacy. It’s real, as well as white privilege. This song is a rage and pain reaction to 549 years of oppression. I’m an awakened sheep that refuses to settle for the flock’s condition."

Credits