Today’s DJ Pick of the Week goes to Amythyst Kiah for her empowering version of the song “Black Myself”. Our Native Daughters, a folk quartet, originally released the song in 2019. The group is focused on telling stories from African American history from a black female perspective. Members of the group included Carolina Chocolate Drops, Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla and Amythyst Kiah herself. The song deservingly won Song of the Year at Folk Alliance International’s 2020 International Folk Music Awards.
This is one of the most significant pieces of music Kiah has ever written. Because of this, she decided to create an edgier, R&B version of the track. Kiah recorded this rendition with Tony Berg as her producer at Sound City Studios in L.A. She released this version of “Black Myself” last Friday on February 19th. Her intention is to bring more attention to America’s need for a racial reckoning.
“This song marks the first time that I really confronted my raw feelings about the history of my ancestors who were enslaved in the transatlantic trade,” she says in a recent press statement. “For many, being black was and still is a curse, but strength against adversity and love and support for each other is what makes us who we are.”
You can hear the passion and power in Kiah’s vocals when you listen to “Black Myself”. It is extremely inspiring hearing her turn anger into an empowering anthem. She explains, “The last verse is a kind of transcendence into a new plane where ‘blackness’ is no longer a curse but rather a source of strength.” Check out the song below!
Be sure to tune into 100.1 FM or lightning100.com to hear “Black Myself” by Amythyst Kiah, featured as Stephanie’s DJ Pick of the Week. Be sure to let us know your thoughts! Tweet at us with #L100DJPick and share your take on the track!
