On May 25, 2020, the world changed. With the death of George Floyd, under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer, we saw what we have often seen; a black body drained of life, by the hands of the state. This time was different. We saw it in real time. We saw the life leave his body. We saw him plead for his life and call his mother’s name.
In the aftermath, despite a pandemic, reactions were swift, and protests spread all over the world. Some said, “Enough is enough.” Others said, “Do you believe us now?” Others said, “How can I help?”
With the “Montréal Sound Resistance” album series, we begin to ask, answer, and hopefully address these and the many other questions. The Black Lives Matter movement and issues that surround it are matters of urgency. Urgent not just in the present moment, but as we examine the past that informs police brutality and as we attempt to envision a future where we no longer need to live in fear of history repeating itself.
As artists, it is our duty to speak to the times, what we know and have experienced, humbly enough to learn and inform ourselves. It is because we have the power to change minds and get the message across in ways that others cannot, or at least, never have. Words sung or spoken in verse have a way of making the case, touching hearts, and enlightening us in way that very few other things can.
We want to inspire and encourage those at the heart of the movement, those on the ground, both seen and unseen. May our contributions uplift their work. May we chronicle the pain they feel, the struggle that continues, and the joy that awaits on the other end. Montreal Sound Resistance is not the beginning or the end, but another step forward, a step towards justice.
With peace and love,
Jason Blackbird Selman (co-producer, poet)
Andrés Vial (co-producer)
Malika Tirolien (musician, lyricist)
Vox Sambou (rapper)
JM Frederic (musician)
Mark A Haynes (musician)
Jephte Kalombo (musician)
Fabrice Koffy Poesic (poet)
Marika Galea (musician)
Michael Go (musician)
Roen Higgins (poet)
Jon Asencio (poet)
Travis Knights (tap dance percussionist)
Modibo Keita (musician, lyricist)
Nora Toutain (musician, lyricist)
Laurie Torres (musician)
Valérie Lacombe (musician)
Kim Zombik (musician, lyricist)
Nicolas Caloia (musician)
Martin Heslop (musician)
Karl Peralte Ricot (musician)
Jahsun Drums (musician)
Theo Abellard (musician)
Marie-Ketely Gomes (musician)
Raynal Isméus (musician)
Myrtle Thomas (musician, lyricist)
Josh Rager Music (musician)
Matt Dicker (musician)
Musique Rayonnante (contributing organization)
Zachary Scholes (sound engineer)
Will Owen Bennett (sound engineer)
Mihran Abrahamian (sound engineer)
Lites Down Studio
Andi State (photographer)
Daniel Bevc (sound engineer)
Antoine Gallois (sound engineer)
In a lane all his own, aint about me lays moody spoken word over rippling soundscapes on songs that feel cinematic in scope. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 23, 2020
This album by Kenyan electronic producer rPH and poet Kins of Spade reflects on the impact of religion in their lives and society. Bandcamp New & Notable May 12, 2023
