Afrofuturism Mix

On the last day of Black History Month, I invite you to check out John Morrison from Liberation Art and Culture Works‘ mixtapes: Black History Month Vol.1: Africa: Center of the World L.A.C.W.-Black History Month 2012 Vol.2: Black Love is an Act of Revolution L.A.C.W.-Black History Month 2012 Vol. 3: What Time is it!?!? It’s […]

The My-Stery: Mythologies in Popular Culture

Myth is all around us; it structures our societies, cultures and realities. Despite Nietzsche saying “God is dead,” the myths of various cultures still are embedded throughout our own cultures to this day. To understand most of the imagery and symbolism in our culture, we must study myths and stories. While doing research on various […]

Modern Griots: Elton Leonard Jr.

Visual artist Elton Leonard Jr. describes the spiritual, social, and political aspects of his work: My artwork takes a critical view of cultural, political and erotic perspectives. In my work, I reconstruct the American dream and fantasy images that are part of our childhood and adult culture. Having engaged subjects as diverse as black women’s […]

“What is Afrofuturism?” Part 5

Oliver Blecher did a post on afrofuturism and its manifesto. Blecher is a doctoral candidate in geography at the University of British Columbia. Currently, he is writing a book on the history of social scientists in the U.S. military, and he frequently writes commentaries on politics and popular culture. I first came across the term […]

Modern Griots Interview: Tunde Olaniran

Tunde Olaniran is a Michigan-based artist who “marches to the beat of his own drum.” The singer, rapper, songwriter and social activist has a background that defies any expectation others may have of him. Growing up in such places as Germany, Nigeria and London, Olaniran was raised by an American social activist mother and a […]

A Different “Black Swan”

Dancer Dada Masilo from the Zeadim Dance School does her own version of Swan Lake, called Umfula Wa Ma Dada, combining ballet with traditional African dance styles and bending gender roles.

Otherworldly Videos: Limitless

Sarah White‘s new video for her song “Limitless” from her album Space Madness.

…An Album By Its Cover: Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock is an innovative jazz musicians, but he also knows how to pick great album covers. Also, here is an article placing Hancock in a futurist context. Thrust (1974), Cover by Robert Springett Magic Windows (1981), Cover by David Ross Head Hunters (1973), Cover by Victor Moscoso The Solid Steel Interview (2002) Future Shock […]

Developing World: Beyond the Frontiers of Science Fiction

Jonathan Dotse from AfroCyberPunk wrote an article a few weeks ago on Institute for Emerging Ethics and Technologies about re-examining science fiction narratives, “developing nations,” and social change: “The future will not be a monopoly of the current superpowers, but lies in the hands of tech-savvy youth from around the world, trying desperately to survive […]

“The Invisibility Cloak: Race and the Pagan”

The Black Witch wrote a post on the lack of people of color’s perspectives in pagan circles. “…If you’re a minority in Paganism, it is very bright and clear that unless you’re a picture on the wall, you’re probably not going to get represented in any well-rounded way and shouldn’t expect it. The common face […]