Modern Griots: Flobots

The political rap and rock band, Flobots, consists of vocalists Jonny 5 and Br’er Rabbit, guitarist Andy Rok, drummer Kenny O, bass player Jesse Walker, and voilinist Mackenzie Gault. Not only is the group socially aware, but are also influenced by speculative fiction and other avant-garde artists. Jonny 5 likes magic realism and his favorite […]

Rewind: Purple Image

The ’70s psychedelic funk and rock band, Purple Image and their songs “What You Do to Me” and “Living in the Ghetto.”

Otherworldy Videos: Make You Move

Culoe De Song feat. Chappell I like the mysterious priesthood imagery, and the connection of technology and electricity to rhythm as spiritual life force.

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 […]

“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 […]

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 […]

Otherworldly Videos: Three Times a Lady

Munsinah – Yiy Misty Sol – Star Baby Baby Sol vs Stinkahbell – Always