The SetList Forth District

Hamilton, the acclaimed Broadway musical, made it’s way to Disney Plus on July 3rd (over a year ahead of it’s original October 2021 scheduled release). The musical is wildly popular, so the film attempts to recreate an in-person theatrical experience. On a personal note, I was made aware of Hamilton in early 2015 by someone who knew I did not like musicals at all. Nevertheless, I found myself swept up in the beauty of the writing and story crafted by the gifted Lin Manuel-Miranda.

Fast forward five years and the musical is now available at the click of a button in the comfort of my home. So what has changed? The groundbreaking musical was birthed during the historical terms of the first Black president, so the ideas of reimagining our country’s history and representation had a particular resonance. Seeing the production as we approach the end of Darth Cheeto’s first (and hopefully only!) term, something feels off. What, if anything, does Hamilton have to say of importance at this time?

I asked my homie Myke C-Town (Dead End Hip Hop) to help unpack our thoughts around the musical. We debate the utility of the play as well as Lin’s motivations in creating it. What does it say to have Black and Brown people articulate the thoughts and ideas of our slave-owning forefathers? Why do some White folks act as though this is the first instance in which hip hop has proven valuable and worthy? Is this a minstrel in some form? The discussion was free-flowing and rambling, but also insightful and telling. Give a listen and let me know your thoughts!

@mykectown
@adanbean

On June 29th, Beyonce released a trailer for Black is King, which is the visual album based on the Gift, the album released to accompany Disney’s 2019 Lion King remake. The film, like the album, will feature several African artists and will weave together influences and traditions from across the continent. According to Beyoncé, it is her “passion project” that is “meant to celebrate the breadth and beauty of Black ancestry”. What could be the problem?

There has been significant backlash online from those on the continent that feel as though Beyoncé’s latest work falls within a long line of Western media depicting Africa as a homogenous entity. Historically, Beyoncé hasn’t toured Africa on her “World tours” and at the time of this recording, Disney+ was not available on the continent to see “Black is King” (this has since been changed and those on the continent will be able to screen the movie). This alleged flattening of a continent that has 54 countries and multiple cultures into some idealized version where all Black people were “Kings and Queens” calls into question ideas around celebrity worship, cultural appropriation, and Black American privilege in the global diaspora.

Helping piece through this nuanced conversation, I’m joined by Paulah Wheeler, a public health professional and co-founder of BLKHLTH, who has done extensive work globally with a concentrated effort throughout the continent of Africa. She is also a card-carrying member of the Beyhive. The discussion was insightful and delightful and I think there’s a lot to be gained from this ongoing conversation. Hope you enjoy it!

To be honest, even writing the phrase "Patriotic Hip Hop" feels weird. Hip Hop, originating from Black and Brown communities, has always had an interesting relationship with this country. In many ways, it comes from a place closer to protest music. But I thought it would be interesting to see if I could mine the almost 50-year-old musical art form in search of some 4th of July bops. The list got interesting, to say the least! I called up my good homie (and incredibly gifted comedian) David Perdue to see if he could help me fill out the list. Take a listen and let us know what you think? Did we miss anything?

@adanbean
@dueordie

This episode, Adan Bean spotlights Brownsville’s very own Ka. The reclusive Brooklyn emcee is known by his penchant for minimalist production and obscure samples which serve as a bedrock for deeply personal and reflective writings. NPR describes his gritty work as “steel poetry”. For this reason, he felt it best to reach out to the Emmy award-nominated writer, author, poet, and host of The Moth Atlanta, Jon Goode to discuss the quiet appeal of Ka. On the heels of his new release, Descendants of Cain, we hope you find the gifts in the monotone magic of Ka.

I sat down with Roman back in 2015 and I knew he was a star years before that. Since then, he's appeared alongside labelmate Jidenna in the smash "Classic Man" and he's toured around the world extensively. I think this was a good episode to bring out the vault in case you missed it the first go 'round. I hope you enjoy the convo as much as I had having it. Roman continues to inspire me til this day and I look forward to the world discovering all of the genius (and I don't say that lightly) that's housed within him.

"Roman is someone you’d want to lock into a studio for a week and wait for him to reemerge with our generation’s Songs in the Key of Life. He’s that skilled. He’s that gifted. And perhaps most importantly, he’s that free."

The SetList is a music podcast hosted by Forth District’s A&R, Adan Bean, and features artist from every part of the musical landscape. The SetList seeks to reveal an artist’s interests, influences, and background in music like no other interview has done before.

On this episode Adan sits down with Atlanta’s own Roman GianArthur! Roman is a producer/writer/singer/composer who has been cutting his teeth in the afro-futuristic space camp collective that is the Wondaland Arts Society (helmed by Rebelutionary soul singer superstar Janelle Monae).