While Black people stand up for their rights and their lives on the frontlines, the creatives are producing sounds, images, and stories to fuel the fight.
Detroit artist Ari-Jovan released (Our) RAGE is RIGHTEOUS June 2, 2020, via Bandcamp. Serving as a musical soundtrack to the historical times we are facing today, 0RIR is full of robust sounds that personify the emotions of the Black collective as we continue to rage war against systemic oppression.
"The fire symbolizes [the] rage the world is feeling right now - channeling the frustration into acts of Righteousness for change," AJ says explaining he drew inspiration from Malcolm X's words who set the tone as the narrator of 0RIR.
written, produced, and arranged by ARI-JOVAN, born Donavan Glover, ORIR showcases a hip-hop-inspired approach with dark and melodic alternative sample chops under hard-thumping drums and synth bass. Other sounds include candid soundscapes and textures from real police sirens, protests, chants, and arson.
The only featured artist - clips from various Malcolm X speeches, and a poem from activist, author, and poet, Jessica Care Moore on the opening song, "I Can't Breathe." With a co-production credit from Nuntheless, Ari-Jovan created this instrumental masterpiece with his bare hands and raw emotion.
"I produced the whole thing in two weeks," he shared. "I started a day after my album Muse.Views.Hues: The Beginning of an End released May 26th."
A day before, on May 25, 2020, George Floyd, an unarmed Black man was killed by a Minnesota Police Officer. The result of the killing, weeks of protesting during a health pandemic, riots, and sadly, more police brutality. His death caused a shift in the atmosphere awaking the inner parts of Black Americans pushing them into action.
As the world continues to fight for basic rights and the end of racism, those purposed to create like AJ continue to contribute by putting forth projects meant to provide an escape. ORIR is an album for the people; an album for the movement.
(Our) RAGE is RIGHTEOUS will be available on all streaming platforms on June 18, 2020, at 8:46 PM.
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