Anyway, say what you want about the systems and industry behind her brand, the best pop music comes from Britney Spears. The dance moves. The sex appeal. And yes, I’ll still credit her for her beauty because I’m not a hater. I’ll be honest about my observations, but I will never be too woke to admit that I love Britney Spears.
Read MoreGrowing up as a Black second gen Canadian, the only example I had of Black people who weren’t recent immigrants were Black Americans. So there I sat with two different ways to be Black. I could participate in the “Black Culture” (a.k.a. the portrayal of African American identity) that I saw on TV, the hallmarks of which were AAVE, hip hop, hilarity, and tragedy. Or I could be an immigrant. I tried to be both, and it didn’t work, because I wasn’t either.
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Wrust playing in South Africa in 2013 (Photo Credit: SueDiduknow)
For someone who has dedicated the last two articles to the metal scene in Botswana, haven’t profiled any bands yet, have I? No worries! Only half as neglectful as I seem, here I am extolling the ominous, aggressive pleasure of three bands, the names of all coincidentally ending in “ust”. Huh. Though not featured, a genuine honorable mention to Skinflint; we love a black girl metal drummer.
Wrust
Formed in 2000 in Gabarone, Wrust’s brand of death metal dips hard into groove metal, gaining comparisons to the classic band Sepultra. Members Stux Daemon, Dem Lawd Master, Oppy Gae, and Benson Phaks released their most recent album, Intellectual Metamorphosis, in 2013. Their music has been both influenced by and compared to many classic death metal bands, such as one of the early and formative bands of the genre, Obituary, as well as Carcass (with whom they have shared a stage), and Pantera, a classic groove metal band that has come under much fire for their use of confederate flags, and Phil Anselmo’s repeated “joke” declarations of white power.
Despite largely American influence, their song Day of the Sacrifice has more traditional Tswana singing and drums in the introduction that seamlessly layers with the growing grooves and riffs of the metal soon to come, a welcomed change from the usual metal intros: of random screaming, sampled audio that sounds out of a haunted house, or worse, clean vocals.
While definitely having its melodeath moments that really let me enjoy and get into the metal mood, Intellectual Metamorphosis somehow feels less sinister than a lot of metal despite the lyrical content. Hate ’em All is almost anthemic death metal, something you could headbang or dance to.
Spiral of Torture and Hate ’em All seem to succinctly sum up the albums themes surrounding systems (of) control and oppression, evoking ideas of a brutal government/world/society with claws around one’s neck.
Recommended song: Hate ’em All
The defining factors of corporate regulation such as strict adherence to the written rule, rigid mandates that structure shift work, and a pyramid of assigned roles, are all perpetuating a system that was shaped by the process of enslaving people in order for them to be exploited for their physical labour.
Read MoreThis curated list of Alberta-based businesses is a resource for anyone who prioritizes buying Black. Whether as an ally supporting us, or as a member of the diaspora practicing group economics; this holiday season you can elevate Black enterprises.
Read MoreThis doesn’t have to be awkward. You can say it super casually and move right along. For example, you just get your hair done and some curious Becky says “ohmygod I’m LOVING this look,” and reaches out to touch it. You move your head away gently, say “hair touching is actually a boundary for me, but thanks for saying you like it,” and move right along to the next subject of conversation.
Read MoreMost of the time one thinks of metalheads, or the phrase “Black Metal”, satanic visions of sweaty white men with long greasy hair screeching and growling in wintry Norwegian forests at dusk (or one of their basements) come to mind. But there have always been, and will always be, Black metalheads. We need to shift and expand our ideas of what a metalhead looks like, because Black metalheads are metalheads like anyone else, if not more stylish in this case.
Read MoreI wish that I’d been prepared to deal with racism, but not even overt racism, I’m talking about micro-aggressions. All the subtle ways that I was told by “friends,” peers and social institutions that I’ll never be good enough. Some people don’t believe that micro-aggressions are a thing, but here’s my two cents: they are. I wish I had someone to tell me that “It’s not you, it’s them.” Maybe, then, the apology wouldn’t have felt as necessary, in that moment.
Read MoreWho would have thought that at 29 years-young I would be sitting in the eccentric backyard of a Calgary cafe, smoking a legal spliff and discussing business opportunities in cannabis? If Curren$y could see me now. It’s not quite a Verde Terrace, but this garden space, this moment, inspires me like Spitta did when he spoke in rhythmic duality; his bars are laced with business acumen.
Read MoreColonization is rarely cited as the cause for our climate crisis, when in reality, it’s the origin of it. So while white activists are out here promoting environmentalism (and subtly, their own moral excellence), they’re actually just perpetuating the exact thing that got us into this mess — white supremacy.
Read MoreI thought that perhaps this phenomenon was exclusive to liminal mixed-Black folks. I eventually met other Black people who loved metal like me, and was surprised to hear that no matter what shade of Black we were, from dark to light, most of us had been treated as if liking metal made us less Black.
Read MoreI feel freest sporting my natural hair. I love running my fingers through my strands in the shower, feeling the cushion that it is, thanks to its fullness. I enjoy finger detangling with my Jamaican black castor oil, the connection I feel as I run the tips of my fingers from root to end. I miss all the length I would have had, had I treated it with care.
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