illume sessions: nneka in her own words

nneka was recently on an east african tour. while there, she stopped by kigali, had an amazing performance, hung out with the illume crew and blessed us with her 'madness'. it's an experience i will never forget.  her new album soul is heavy is out now and it is timeless and beautiful and urgent and necessary. here are part one and two of 'illume sessions ~ nneka: in her own words'

illume sessions: nneka in her own words

soul food: gabriel teodros' 'blossoms of fire'

seattle-based ethiopian/american afropolitan, gabriel teodros, is an artist, activist, and blogger. and a seriously dope emcee. and my future partner-in-something-that-i-am-not-certain-of-yet-but-may-lead-to-taking-over-the-world-in-some-way. 

he describes his forthcoming second album colored people's time machine as 'an examination of the history, dreams, and future of native people everywhere'. the album will be released on january 19th and is available for pre-order the album, here. in the meantime, he's released his first single, 'blossoms of fire'. check it!

video directed by:  Barni Qaasim and Shadi Rahimi. 
video inspired by: Blossoms of Fire

soul food: gabriel teodros' 'blossoms of fire'

assata shakur

thirty years ago, today, Assata Shakur--an American political prisoner--escaped from detention in the US and was granted political asylum in Cuba.

"Like most poor people in the United States, I have no voice. The Black press and the progressive media, as well as Black civil rights organizations, have historically played an essential role in the struggle for social justice. We should continue and expand that tradition. We should create media outlets that help to educate our people and our children, and not annihilate their minds. I am only one woman. I own no TV stations or radio stations or newspapers. But I believe that people need to be educated as to what is going on and to understand the connection between the news media and the instruments of repression in America. All I have are my voice, my spirit and the will to tell the truth. But I sincerely ask those of you in the Black media, those of you in the progressive media and those of you who believe in truth and freedom to publish my story.' -Assata Shakur



hear Assata in her own words, here.

image courtesy of the martyr index

assata shakur