Australia lost one of its brightest stars when it lost Archie Roach last year. But his legacy lives on through the Archie Roach Foundation Singing Our Futures program, which pairs emerging First Nations artists with Indigenous mentors. The first release from the program is “Take No More,” a powerful collaboration by up-and-coming North Queensland talent Kee’ahn and acclaimed Indigenous singer Emma Donovan. It’s a true First Nations anthem celebrating how elders across time have stood strong in the face of ongoing challenges so that hopefully the path will be easier for future generations.
“We started writing ‘Take No More’ around Invasion Day Jan 26th. Both of us were feeling a lot of emotions that come with the date and feeling inspired by grassroots mob who organise to educate and liberate our peoples,” Kee’ahn recalled. “We spoke about how our leaders across generations stand strong and staunch against ongoing challenges, the act of carrying the torch forward passed down from your elders so our future generations can do the same or ideally won’t have to at all. We spoke about solidarity and how liberation is a joint fight with many hands needed. It also feels like this song has grown over the year, during which time beautiful Black leaders and changemakers have passed on into dreaming – this song feels dedicated to them. To Uncle Archie Roach and Aunty Ruby Hunter and to Uncle Jack Charles. They inspire me/us to sing our truth for our past, present and futures.”
“Take No More” is the first track lifted from the Singing Our Futures EP, which will drop later this year.
Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Jacinta Keefe