NFL players and people supportive of them taking a knee across America this week, and the backlash they’ve faced from certain sectors including their own president, has highlighted that race is still an important topic in modern society. The issue has dominated my Facebook feed this week with passionate discussion. I made the comment at the time that I wondered where all the good protest music was today, because if anything should come from this difficult time it’s good music.
My friends didn’t seem to know, so I was thrilled to see “Mabo, Martin, Mandela,” the latest track from South African born, Australian raised rapper KG in my inbox this morning. This is the protest music I’ve been looking for. Bold, defiant, articulate, unashamed, it’s what the world should hear right now.
“Mabo Martin Mandela is my tribute to three of my favourite black leaders in history,” KG explained. “I created the song to educate people on who they are and get an emotion of pride from the black community as well as a reaction from people of all races. In the current climate and fight for equality worldwide, it’s important that we learn from the past.”
KG will play The Gasometer Hotel in Melbourne on October 6 and Transit Bar in Canberra on October 25.
Image used with permission from Beehive PR