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Bariki Hall: Maestra of Music
Mumia Abu-Jamal
Her name was Bariki Hall Shabazz, but I knew her as “Maestra,” my music teacher. Her community knew her as “Sister Bariki” or “Mama Bariki,” a Black woman who, as the old saying goes, was… Full Transcript
A Philly Boy And A Philly Band
Mumia Abu-Jamal
A Philly boy, a Philly band, and Maze makes magic. Frankie Beverly is his name, and Maze became his band, and together they made beautiful and magical music that flowed through cookouts, family reunions, and… Full Transcript
#7 New Escapes
Mumia Abu-Jamal
Marc Lamont Hill: Peace everybody. You listening to, The Classroom and The Cell Podcast. This is your brother, Marc Lamont Hill, and with me is, Mumia Abu-Jamal: Dr. Mumia Abu-Jamal. Marc Lamont Hill: I love… Full Transcript
Rapping with a Rapper
Mumia Abu-Jamal
“Rapping with a Rapper.” For the last few years, in light of the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement, then the arresting images from Ferguson, MO, rappers have created songs that rap not about… Full Transcript
Aretha 1942-2018
Mumia Abu-Jamal
“Aretha 1942-2018.” With one unmistakable name, a musical legend was born: Aretha. Born on March 25th, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee, raised in Detroit, daughter of the famous gospel preacher Reverend Cecil L. Franklin, she was… Full Transcript
Blues For Hugh Masekela
Mumia Abu-Jamal
“Blues for Hugh Masekela.” His name was Hugh Masekela, a trumpeteer in South Africa who played to [inaudible] crowds the world over, a musical exile from the madness of apartheid, the racially exclusive system that… Full Transcript
Al Jarreau 1940-2017
Mumia Abu-Jamal
Al Jarreau, 1940 to 2017. Al Jarreau was a musical genius. He was a jazz artist, a soul singer, and a pop sensation who thrilled audiences with his mastery of song. Born in Milwaukee, WI… Full Transcript
The Magic of Black Music
Mumia Abu-Jamal
“The magic of black music.” As the deaths of two musicians recently demonstrates, black music is an art form that radiates freedom, and that radiation flows around the world. The death of Sharon Jones, lead… Full Transcript
Mumia Interviewed About Marijuana on Kiss the Sky Radio
Oh, Baltimore Blues
Mumia Abu-Jamal
The brilliant and beautiful Nina Simone in her classic lament, “Baltimore,” sings of a city by the sea, but one that she longs to flee from, because of its hardness and its meanness. In her… Full Transcript
Prince a Musical Revolutionary
Mumia Abu-Jamal
He was not to my liking when he first burst on the scene. He was, quite frankly, too pretty. But Prince was not to be denied. According to one article, he was a youth when… Full Transcript
Is There A Balm in Gilead
Mumia Abu-Jamal
The great Black activist and artist, Paul Robeson, in 1958, in Carnegie Hall, sang the gospel song, ‘Balm in Gilead’: ♪Therrre is a balmmm in Gileaaad,♪To make the wounded who–oole!♪…. His full, magnificent baritone filled… Full Transcript
Prince Passes On
Mumia Abu-Jamal
He was a star in so many ways, that the word ‘star’ seems too small. He was a singer, guitarist, band leader, writer—and, well, genius. Prince Rogers Nelson was known and adored by millions, who… Full Transcript
Unforgettable: Natalie Cole 1950-2015
Mumia Abu-Jamal
Her voice, rippling like warm lake water, has been moving through my memory for hours now, ever since I heard of her shocking passing. How many hours had I enjoyed her playful, enchanting, enthralling alto,… Full Transcript
I got two poems from my University of Michigan writing class. This first one is based off feelings a song invokes. That would be the name of the poem: “Feelings A Song Invokes.” The song… Full Transcript