alt mondays: 011
We didn’t publish this week’s alt mondays, on a Monday as per usual, because we were in solidarity with the voices of repressed women and black people around the world currently protesting for an end to sexual violence and racial discrimination. With reports of violent crimes, acts of terrorism, racism, police brutality, rape and murder plastered all over the news, we’re all feeling overwhelmed with our painful reality and retreating to creature comfort. It’s difficult to even find time to listen to music in the midst of all this, but we assure you that it can help ease some of the pain as we process the complex emotions and feelings of hurt.
This week’s alt. mondays 011 is curated by Nigerian comedian and content creator, Oli Ekun, who is taking a cue from John Boyega, who is currently using his voice for the greater good as protests in the UK gain momentum. His 20-track selection for issue 011 of our weekly alt. mondays playlist features music that either offers escape or reckons with our current situation. Titled “INSTITUTIONALISED” in reference to a Kendrick Lamar song of the same name off his To Pimp A Butterfly album, 011 kicks things off with the smooth and soulful sound of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”, before moving to the more provocative protest song by Burna Boy, “Collateral Damage”.
2 Pac, Kendrick, M.I, Joey Bada$$, Falz, Common, Lupe Fiasco and Phyno use the truth-speak of conscious rap to highlight the faults in our society and they feature on the playlist to express our frustration at the system. We skip through other genres with contributions from Fela, African China and Asa who also speak on the societal ills before we wrap things up with Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World”.
Stream alt mondays 011 via Spotify below:
You can also stream on Apple Music here
If you want to donate to the Stand to End Rape initiative, see the image below for bank details
Also if you want to donate to Black Lives Matter groups, this article by Variety lists 16 organisations you can open your purse to.