An Innovative Expression on Black Protest Music through Lecture, Visual Presentation, and Performance
| A fresh and unique way to celebrate and commemorate the history of African Americans. |
Utilizing a dynamic combination of lecture, visual presentation and musical performance, we provide an immersive and engaging experience that expands upon traditional approaches to teaching black history. Take a journey through 400 years of rarely told stories, from our musical roots in West African griot culture, to the power of music when it motivates for freedom and justice on the shores of America. This innovative, one-of-a-kind presentation was built to excite, engage, and educate students.
Engaging, Emotive, and Educational
Utilizes music brilliantly to connect centuries of historical black struggle and triumph with today's struggle and triumph
Civil Rights Soundtracks: Songs that Motivated a Movement
Lecture and Conversation with slides
Performance with or without band
Choose Live or Virtual Presentation
Has Lectured and Performed @
MY WHY...
Since starting my career more than 10 years ago as an independent socially conscious artist and educator, releasing music and performing around the world, I've had the unique opportunity to explore how communities outside of America understand black culture. One of my most profound revelations from these experiences came when observing how the youth who attended my workshops in other countries were almost surprised at my ability to perform high level hip hop, as well as convey a message about it with articulation. This realization led me to research further into what was happening within our culture that could be dividing off black artists and intellectualism from one another, leaving us vulnerable to being dehumanized by other ethnicities who might otherwise be more formidable allies.
Based on this understanding, I developed a curriculum which seeks to promote better understanding of the breadth of black cultural contributions that changed the world for the better. While my music has been featured on major media platforms, the presentations that allow me to spread awareness of important issues related to black history, culture, and contemporary relevance are at the heart of my current motivation. Through my performances, workshops, and discussions - I strive to bring people together through thought-provoking lectures and music that can be used as a tool for empowerment, solidarity, and progress.
What We Cover
topic ONE
Before These Shores
Our Roots In Griot Culture
- Griots served a significant role in West African culture for centuries, with some families continuing the tradition from one generation to another. Their songs often addressed issues such as politics, social justice, war, and peace. The aim was to promote unity among people within a particular region or ethnic group by highlighting what is common between them rather than dividing them.
We explore the connection between socially conscious black artists and the griots who preceded them.
topic TWO
The Negro Spiritual
When Slaves Sent Subtle Messages Through Song
- Negro spirituals, traditional songs of African American descent, served as a unique form of communication amongst enslaved people. Through code and metaphor, they were able to send messages to one another that their masters could not understand.
We connect how black subtle communication which was rooted in fighting for freedom has evolved to be a global phenomena today.
topic Three
Civil Rights Soundtracks
Songs that motivated a movement
- The Freedom Songs sung by activists served not only as a source of empowerment but also enabled protest meetings to be organized more efficiently. These songs were used to give directions on how individuals should march or respond to police orders during protests without verbally communicating since speaking with defiance was considered illegal at that time. Additionally they could be sung in unison to lift spirits or send coded messages between protestors
We explore how every era in which people have fought for their rights has produced artists who reflected the times in their music, and where this continues to happen today.
topic four
NO MORE WAR
Songs and artists that protested wars waged both domestically and abroad.
- The emergence of the black superstar artist would commence at the same time that it was becoming apparent that the Vietnam War was tearing at the nations morale. And those superstars would see it as their duty as musicians to sing songs of peace and anti-war exposing problems both in America and abroad. Artists such as Marvin Gaye, released powerful tunes like “What’s Going On”, respectively which resonated with both the general public and black communities. This helped bring about awareness concerning issues of injustice in a creative and emotive manner.
We connect how artists lead movements had the power to pressure world leaders regarding the wars they waged both domestically and abroad.
topic five
Pop Protest
Black popular music that shifted the world
- Michael Jackson’s music served to further the cause of social justice in the 1980s and beyond, with songs like “Man in the Mirror” and “Heal the World” bringing powerful messages of change. His blend of pop, soul and funk incorporated elements from African-American culture and helped bring black protest into the mainstream.
We investigate what happens when famous artists use their influence to speak up for what they believe in.
topic six
Hip Hop For the Marginalized
The rise and fall of mainstream conscious rap
- Undoubtedly, this pioneering genre had a massive impact on American culture; by bringing attention to important socio-political issues revolutionizing music industry standards with regards to expression – particularly when it came to confronting racism and fighting for justice on behalf of African-American communities throughout America and beyond!
We explore the revolutionary effects of hip hop for social change, what differentiated this genre from others and what ultimately changed to remove this kind of protest music from mainstream prominence.
Feedback
Arthur Magida
Georgetown University, Professor
"Many had not heard music of this nature before
Most were not aware of the power of music to motivate us,
to take us to a broader world beyond ourselves"
"Khalil is a master musician, He's a master communicator His music and his presence enlightens and comforts"
"Khalil is a master musician, He's a master communicator His music and his presence enlightens and comforts"
Stephen Patterson
Redbox Company
5/5
“Nullam id dolor id nibh ultricies vehicular elit. Aenean eulei quam Pelltesque ornare ornare sem lacinia quam venenatis vestibu Maecenas sed meget risus varius amet User experience bandwidth handshake strategy no great blandit sit magna sit Aenean.”
Adam Smith
Redbox Company
5/5
“Nullam id dolor id nibh ultricies vehicular elit. Aenean eulei quam Pelltesque ornare ornare sem lacinia quam venenatis vestibu Maecenas sed meget risus varius amet User experience bandwidth handshake strategy no great blandit sit magna sit Aenean.”
Still have questions? We’ve got answers…
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Investor incubator backing. Freemium network bootstrapping incubator disruptive paradigm shift social business a plan mass market partnership. Learning curve direct mailing Now startup is validation value proposition infrastructure churn rate buyer niche market.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text the printing industry?
Investor incubator backing. Freemium network bootstrapping incubator disruptive paradigm shift social business a plan mass market partnership. Learning curve direct mailing Now startup is validation value proposition infrastructure churn rate buyer niche market.
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text the printing industry?
Investor incubator backing. Freemium network bootstrapping incubator disruptive paradigm shift social business a plan mass market partnership. Learning curve direct mailing Now startup is validation value proposition infrastructure churn rate buyer niche market.
Dummy standard text ever since the lorem?
Investor incubator backing. Freemium network bootstrapping incubator disruptive paradigm shift social business a plan mass market partnership. Learning curve direct mailing Now startup is validation value proposition infrastructure churn rate buyer niche market.
Standard dummy text ever since the lorem?
Investor incubator backing. Freemium network bootstrapping incubator disruptive paradigm shift social business a plan mass market partnership. Learning curve direct mailing Now startup is validation value proposition infrastructure churn rate buyer niche market.
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