Nnenna Freelon performs with the ECU Jazz Ensemble in a concert framed by a spoken-word piece tracing how African rhythms flowed through spirituals, blues, jazz, soul, funk, R&B, rock, and hip-hop. The speakers argue each genre transformed oppression into art, celebrating how ancestral influence shaped American music and what freedom sounds like.
Oh, freedom over me, and before I, I be asleep, I'll be buried in my grave. And go home to my God and be free.
Can I get everybody in the building to clap your hands right now, please? I'm about to tell y'all a story about freedom. Listen, I'mma start with mother. Motherland is the womb where the music we love was developed and groomed. Rhythm, syncopation, improvisation was used to make up those African grooves. Then we moved, or rather we were removed, into spirituals to recreate our music anew. They say the dark of the berry, the sweet of the juice. So we took the abuse and came back with the blues. Then the blues moved us back to the roots where classical instruments were infused Used to the crazy African music. They said jazz is the music of the devil. When really it was God bringing us what they listen to in heaven. From step shuffle into hard rock, we got soul funk, rhythm and blues, and hard rock. Mama will never ever put your baby in a box. Just look at what happened up in the Bronx. We doubled the spots. Classic Cool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, graffiti music and poetry. We locked parties and dance out the vans. You point to the man you see today through hip-hop. Ancestors manifesting through me, and this is freedom. Uh, and come on, this is freedom. Make some noise for Billy Campbell! This is freedom! Come on, come on! Freedom! Freedom! Freedom! Freedom! Freedom! Freedom! Special thank you goes out to Phi Mu Alpha Professional Music Fraternity, also for their diligent support and help. Please give them a round of applause.
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