Mixtape

 Wright James 

Harris, Jaleesa 

ENG 2016 

17 November 2022 

Playlist 

1985 (Intro to “The Fall Off”) - J Cole 

● Gazzy Garcia known as Lil Pump, is a rapper who comes from a Latin American heritage. In 2018, Lil Pump presumably had beef with J Cole and proceeded to write a diss track on him. J Cole took to such actions, in dissing Lil Pump in a fatherly manner, giving advice on what’s best for his image. J Cole addresses that though coming from a Latin American heritage, Lil Pump passes as a black man, who provides a false image toward his widely caucasian audience, in order to provide the feeling of what it’s like to be black. Thus escalating Lil Pump’s social and financial status, which is a representation of Black Bourgeois in the Black Gothic. 

Deep River 

● Deep River comes in many arrangements by many African American composers like Hall Johnson and H. T. Burleigh. Nevertheless, this negro spiritual tells the story of going home by way of death, describing Heaven as the Gospel Feast. 

Wade In The Water 

● Wade in the Water is another spiritual arranged by many composers, but the story still remains the same. It tells the same story as Deep River of going home, but not by death. The text says “God’s gonna trouble the water”, meaning that he will agitate and disturb the water, in the means of helping slaves to escape. Therefore the water will make them seeking the slaves difficult for the Masters. 

Haunted Water - Spellling 

● Spellling’s Haunted Water may not say a lot, but the song is symbolic in the way it was created, by its mystical, gothic, and ritualistic melodies. The setting of the song is cutting across the Middle Passage routes that the slave ships would take during delivery. As the melody takes you through the trip, she sings in cursive and italics “I am your faith, but it’s not enough, to build a bridge, over haunted waters.” 

F** K tha Police - N.W.A.

● The N.W.A. clearly explain the daily stereotypes of a black person. As Ice Cube raps and rhymes he also talks about how a black policeman is willing to show out for his white partner. Clearly, this is an example of not a financial Black Bourgeois, but an ethical Black Bourgeois, as a black man is willing to put his own race down for position. 

Africa Unite - Bob Marley and the Wailers 

● Black diaspora is the dispersion of Africans, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. Bob Larky does a great job addressing this in Africa Unite, implying moving out of Babylon, which could be the circumstance of the slaves. 

I’m Not Racist - Joyner Lucas 

● Lucas provides an uncomfortable conversation about racism, in which there are 2 sides of the story. In the end both the white and black man hug it out while Joyner states that you “Can’t erase scars with a bandage.” And that it would be a start of something new and undivided if both sides came to an understanding. 

Steal Away 

Swing Low Sweet Chariot 

Song Of The Free 

● Another set negro spirituals which emphasize going home, whether by death or means to be free. All spirituals were arranged by different African American Composers. 

Middle Passage - Quincy Jones 

● This small song gives a glimpse of what the travel of the Middle Passage was like. Under the melody of the singer, there is a haunting harmony going on in the instruments, representing the state of the water. 

Complexion (A Zulu Love) - Kendrick Lamar 

● Kendrick Lamar reflects the travels of the Middke Passage, also the relocating of African Americans for better opportunities, much do like the Harlem Renaissance. 

Glory - John Legend Ft. Common 

● Selma (2014) leading soundtrack give a glimpse of history, in the hopes of being free.