ANALYSIS/OPINION:
One of the biggest events tied to the formal opening of the new Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture this weekend was the “Freedom Sounds: A Community Celebration” concert on the Mall. All weekend long, performers connected to each day’s particular theme: Friday was “Homecoming,” Saturday was “Celebration,” and Sunday was “Call & Response.”
The Stax Music Academy of Memphis channeled old-school R&B for Friday’s “Homecoming.” The Academy, affiliated with the Soulsville Charter School in South Memphis, “exists to nurture and present the next generation of great Soul Communicators from the greater Soulsville region, holistically equipping them to excel and to impact the world through the universal language of music.” Composed of some dozen-plus high school students, the group performed songs from Stax Records artists like The Staple Singers, Otis Redding and Sam & Dave, as well as tracks from more recent artists like Queen and Prince.
Saturday’s “Celebration” commemorated African-American musical successes and the powerful stories and messages from African-American culture that these groups have conveyed to the rest of the world. The group Living Colour kicked off the night — their incredible mashup of punk, funk and metal still as fresh and original as when they first arrived on the scene in the early 1980s. Songs like “Time’s Up” and “Cult of Personality” still ring true, and even the older ladies in the crowd sporting their Sunday crowns were rocking out.
Amid the fun, however, the issue of police gun violence against the black community was clearly on the band’s minds.
“How many more names do we have to memorize? Bullets don’t discriminate that much,” said guitarist Vernon Reid prior to a newer song from the band called “Who Shot Ya?”
“Time’s Up” included a nice segue into James Brown’s “Sex Machine,” and the band did an absolutely searing metal version of “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash that would have melted even Joe Strummer’s face. Lead singer Corey Glover continually paced the stage and ran the walkway barrier in the crowd.
There was no time to rest as Public Enemy, the greatest combination of rap, rock and politics, was up next. With a stage that included previous DJs like Terminator X and Professor Griff, lead singers Chuck D and Flava Flav led the band through a nonstop hour of music that shaped the political consciousness of many: “911 is a Joke,” “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos,” “Bring the Noise” and “Shut Em Down” were just what many needed to hear.
“Mr. President, you’ve had Aretha Franklin, you had The Roots; I think it’s time you had Flava Flav come to the White House before you leave office,” the colorful performer known for his viking hat and oversize clock about his neck said.
But Flava Flav also called for unity in dark times.
“Together … we will build a wall of unity. You are the best friend that you got, and knowing that, that gives us the power.”
Wrapping up the evening was Jimmy Fallon’s house band, The Roots. Questlove and company, with their Philly sound, brought their funk and circumstance, horns and high energy to the evening.
Day three’s theme, “Call & Response,” included the style of call-and-response music from artists like D.C. legends Experience Unlimited, or E.U., who kicked off the set with a funked-up version of Grace Jones’ “Slave to the Rhythm,” then smoothed their way into the best of their go-go/funk beats. “Go Ju Ju Go,” “Taste of Your Love” and “Da’ Butt” were all highlights.
At one point, Gregory “Sugar Bear” Eliot said, “This is music from our town.”
As such, when I walked toward the new museum, as the go-go sound bounced off of it and back at me, I couldn’t feel anything but pride for our seven square miles of awesome.
For more author photos from the event, visit Flickr.com/photos/betweenloveandlike/sets/72157673176399592.
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