If my last album, Solitude, was a conceptual beat-tape, this album is a thesis statement. 

I recorded, produced, and mixed this album over the past two years as a means of communicating with my ancestors through sound and story. 

The album cover I created for this project is a portrait of my paternal grandparents, Betty and Ernest Paulin; both of whom were active members of Marcus Garvey's UNIA. My grandmother, a lifelong intellectual and book collector, always taught me the importance of knowing my people's history. My grandfather, a noted jazz musician and leader of the Traditional New Orleans jazz sound, represents my love for black music and culture. He was a culture-keeper, a djali who kept the stories of liberated Africans alive through music and ritual. 

This album is a love letter to my grandparents, my aunties, my uncle, and cousins who've made transition. The title is an affirmation that forever lives in my heart because of the love that my ancestors poured into me; a love for African people that I intend to share through my work.

Black Future

Black Mask (feat. Maya Angelou)

Black Rhythm (feat. Big Chief Tootie Montana)

Black Sound (feat. James Mtume and Adam Rudolph)

Black is Beautiful

Black Art (feat. Tupac Shakur)

Black Labor (interlude)

Black Power (feat. Kwame Ture)

Black August

Black Culture (feat. Marimba Ani)

Black Star (feat. Dr. Charles Finch III)

This album is an autobiographical beat tape. Each track attempts to capture the feeling of the word associated with its title. As a primarily visual artist, this album is like a sonic sketchbook. To capture the essence of early 90's beat tapes, I focused on simple loops and drum breaks.

Gemini Moon

There is no place you cannot go, Messenger of God, there is no place you cannot take me.

Gemini Moon

Jameel