Country : United States Label : Anti- Genres and styles : Electronic / Experimental / Contemporary / Hip Hop / Spoken Word Year : 2021

Moor Mother – Black Encyclopedia of the Air

· by Steve Naud

Those who have crossed paths with Moor Mother know that her words do not leave one unscathed. Born Camae Ayewa, the Philadelphia-based activist and poet wields the spoken word like a sword to cut through the lies of an America where, more often than not, Black citizens must take a back seat. Until now, she has laid down her martial poetry on musical frameworks from the avant-garde: combat jazz within the Irreversible Entanglements formation, noisy electronic explorations when solo, collaborations with masters of free music such as Nicole Mitchell and the members of the Art Ensemble of Chicago… She evolves far from the marked paths. Today, with Black Encyclopedia of the Air, she seems to want to get closer to more frequented paths. The post-industrial explosions have given way to sounds inspired by jazzy rap or trip-hop, the rhythms are less chaotic, and some of the tracks on the program adopt more easily identifiable song structures. Does this mean that Moor Mother has made compromises in order to reach a wider audience? Not necessarily. While she admits she misses the days when the average American teenager listened to Rage Against the Machine and Public Enemy—bands that were as revolutionary as they were elaborate—her new album, concocted with the help of Swedish musician Olof Melander, contains no unifying choruses, no anthems that will get crowds to raise their fists. Hip-hop artists like Pink Siifu, Lojii, Elucid and British MC Brother May all make guest appearances, but Ms. Ayewa’s vision of rap remains radical and non-conformist. Moor Mother is definitely not diluting her wine with water, but rather adding new colours to her palette.

Latest 360 Content

Tyler Childers – Snipe Hunter

Tyler Childers – Snipe Hunter

Alice Cooper – The Revenge of Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper – The Revenge of Alice Cooper

Barry Can’t Swim – Loner

Barry Can’t Swim – Loner

Classical Outing 2025 | Pianist Martin Helmchen: Passion and Intensity by the handful

Classical Outing 2025 | Pianist Martin Helmchen: Passion and Intensity by the handful

Classical Spree 2025 | Obiora Ensemble : A concert-feast for the eyes and ears of the whole family!

Classical Spree 2025 | Obiora Ensemble : A concert-feast for the eyes and ears of the whole family!

Tommy Crane/David Binney – The Isle

Tommy Crane/David Binney – The Isle

Orford 2025 | Stick&Bow, a tribute to transgressors

Orford 2025 | Stick&Bow, a tribute to transgressors

Curtis Nowosad – I Am Doing My Best

Curtis Nowosad – I Am Doing My Best

George Crotty Trio – Heart Music

George Crotty Trio – Heart Music

Quatuor Bozzini – Owen Underhill : Songs and Quartets

Quatuor Bozzini – Owen Underhill : Songs and Quartets

Tina Leon – Push & Pull

Tina Leon – Push & Pull

Sean Clarke – A Flower for my Daughter

Sean Clarke – A Flower for my Daughter

English National Opera Orchestra/Martyn Brabbins – Havergal Brian : Agamemnon; Sinfonia tragica; Symphony no 12

English National Opera Orchestra/Martyn Brabbins – Havergal Brian : Agamemnon; Sinfonia tragica; Symphony no 12

The Curious Bards – Sublimation: Songs and dances from 18th-century Scandinavia

The Curious Bards – Sublimation: Songs and dances from 18th-century Scandinavia

Ensemble Masques/Olivier Fortin – Bach, Telemann & Albinoni: Concerti

Ensemble Masques/Olivier Fortin – Bach, Telemann & Albinoni: Concerti

François Leleux/Lisa Batiashvili/Frankfurt Radio Symphony – Future Horizons

François Leleux/Lisa Batiashvili/Frankfurt Radio Symphony – Future Horizons

Nate Mercereau · Josh Johnson · Carlos Niño – Openness Trio

Nate Mercereau · Josh Johnson · Carlos Niño – Openness Trio

Theon Cross – Affirmations: Live At Blue Note New York

Theon Cross – Affirmations: Live At Blue Note New York

Fabia Mantwill Orchestra – In.Sight

Fabia Mantwill Orchestra – In.Sight

Hior Chronik – Apofanie

Hior Chronik – Apofanie

Kent Nagano/Rebekka Hartmann – Hartmann/Ravel/Sadikova

Kent Nagano/Rebekka Hartmann – Hartmann/Ravel/Sadikova

Frédéric Lambert; Chloé Dumoulin – Nouveau lyrisme

Frédéric Lambert; Chloé Dumoulin – Nouveau lyrisme

Sara Curruchich in concert : great songstress of mayan roots and feminist intensity

Sara Curruchich in concert : great songstress of mayan roots and feminist intensity

Subscribe to our newsletter