My debut album, “I’m not a mother, but I have children” comes out on Friday and I couldn’t be more excited and grateful to every person who has helped make this dream of my ancestors and mine come true, including some of my wonderful old and new friends in America, Italy and Zimbabwe. Swipe for the tracklist and credits, and pre-save the album via the link in my bio. 💛
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Photos by my father, @oprahtheactress and @yazzalali. Special shout out to @lorenzoluppii for his amazing string compositions alongside his father, @danieleluppi, on “The world can’t change for you, but you can change the world”
An everlasting note to self.
I remember the emotions of this moment so vividly. It was the moment I realized that bringing joy to others was worth making a “fool” out of myself. I realized that if I put my food on my head, my parents — who weren’t getting along — would laugh with each other. If you’ve spent a lot of time with me, chances are I’ve either embarrassed you with my random outbursts of terrible dancing in public places, or you’ve danced alongside me. You’d know that my jokes are corny, my happiest smile is as big as my face, my laugh is certifiably too loud, and that when I see people (or animals or bugs) suffering, I feel the need to do something about it. These sides of me formed their full consciousness on the night this photograph was taken. I can still feel how the desire to make other people feel better hit my brain like a wave of warm magic. I wrote my upcoming album, “I’m not a mother, but I have children,” in honor of this little girl and her wishes — in honor of her kind and optimistic soul, and in defiance of the cruelties of the world that have tried to taint it. Both she and I are certain that we’re on our way to something magical...and when I look within, at her, I realize how much magic we have always had. My debut album is out on June 18th! Pre-save it via the link in my bio and then close your eyes and give your inner child a hug for helping you get this far.
I thought the Pledge of Allegiance needed a few hand and word edits for accuracy, and of course @fullfrontalsamb was down to air it! You can check out the full performance of “There’s only so much a soul can take” on YouTube now!
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A heart full of thanks to @shawnbutton for hosting this performance in his magical home (my dream home), to @whateverlane for directing, to @taylorwerfelmann for filming, to @viviramabass, @sariahmae and @adamtressler for adding new and beautiful, live dimensions to this song (and for being down to wear my clothes), to @mattdyson and @karlwingate for their audio expertise, to @yazzalali for the lovely photo you see at the start, to @oprahtheacress for his brilliant creative partnership and support (this moment wouldn’t have happened without him), and @nickiloranger for being THE flagpole of my musical life, both literally and…literally. 😉 Love to @thenewbmg, @iamyoungforever and @shorefire for their remarkable internal goodness and external hustle.
My first TV performance airs tomorrow night, and I couldn’t be more honored for it to be on the first late-night satire show hosted by a woman! Thank you to @fullfrontalsamb for the invite, and to my phenomenal band — @viviramabass, @sariahmae and @adamtressler — for being part of this dream come true. Watch us on @tbsnetwork tomorrow (June 9th) at 10:30/9c 💛
Right now someone’s sitting in an office, laughing at all of the money they’re making because we can’t get along.
A lot of time spent alone this past year made me two things: reclusive and crafty. Made this “dress” for $12. Just don’t ask to see the back.
I want you to live in my hair.
It took me thinking that my album was done for me to realize that something was missing. And it took two social media posts for me to find exactly that something — or, rather, those someones. Meet @kudzai__m — a phenomenal marimba player living in Harare, Zimbabwe, and one of seven Zimbabweans who perform on my upcoming album. Kudzai’s marimba adds the spirit of hopefulness to the ending of “I’m not a mother, but I have children,” which is about building a world in which all children’s dreams can come true.
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I chose marimba for this song because it was the first instrument that I was properly introduced to in Zimbabwe. I can’t hear it without thinking about my childhood friends and I, and all of the dreams that we had for the future. No person should have their dreams limited because of where they were born, how they look, or what privileges they were born without. No person should have their dreams limited by systemic failures, intergenerational traumas, fake borders or faker money. Every generation should live a better life than the one that came before it.
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Thank you to @kudzai__m for being part of this (infinite) moment. Swipe for a closer look at the making of the song, and listen to all of “I’m not a mother, but I have children” via the link in my bio, where you can also pre-save my debut album of the same name, out June 18th.
What I feel vs. what they want
I woke up a little sad this morning, which was at first a bummer because I was a treasure-hunting, mystery-solving, ocean-swimming hero in my dreams last night. I tried to sidestep my sadness and slip back into the dream. When it didn’t work, I cried and then wrote this poem instead — to celebrate me allowing myself to feel the hard stuff and also to remind myself that sadness does not delete happiness. I greet the birds and thank the sky almost every morning. On some of those mornings, I cry too. The contrast between and combination of these things is what makes me...me, human and beautiful.
“I’m not a mother, but I have children,” is out now! Thematically, this song is truer to my questions and desires, as a human and musician, than I’ve ever been. I don’t know whether or not I’ll ever have children, but I do know that irregardless of the things my heart, and mind, and womb do, I have a responsibility as a human to build a better world for future generations of life to thrive in. A world in which people don’t have to struggle like they are now, and have in the past; an Earth that is blooming rather than wilting. Sometimes I’m pretty sure that this song knows more about me than I know about myself — like there’s a hidden, life-altering message in it that I’ll someday receive. I hope it sends you beautiful, hopeful, messages too, or at least plants some wonderful seeds. Swipe for credits. 💛🧚🏽
Tell me I’m not dreaming alone
Are we on a road headed to a better home?
Even if we’re not even close
Every day we’ve got, can we still build the road?
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When the clock strikes midnight and tomorrow arrives, so will my new song “I’m not a mother, but I have children.” I can’t wait to share it with you! 🧚🏽
I’ve had worse things in my mouth. My live performance of “White parents” is up on YouTube now!
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Shot & edited by @oprahtheactress. Directed by me & @oprahtheactress. Production, creative, audio recording and set design by me.
I wrote this about being a woman/WOC in the workplace, but it can apply to many people, places and things. Why are we trynna win within systems built to keep us losing?! I say we build whole new systems — systems that work for, rather than against, us! All of us! Cool? Meet me at the park. Let’s plot. Just gotta finish this episode of “Married at first sight” and brush this purple yam outta my teef first.
Congratulations to @jessieware and all of these phenomenal artists on their @brits nominations, as well as to everyone who played a role behind-the-scenes to help get this music out there. (FOUR women up for album of the year! 💪🏽) Jessie, I’m so happy for you and that your vision and brilliance are moving people like they’ve moved me and everyone else who has had the honor of creating with you. Your music has grooved me out of all kinds of loneliness and timidity, and I know I’m not alone in that. Sending a cheers to you, and to all, tonight from afar. 💛
@kuumusic’s “Gimme Your Love” is out now! This song is rooted in the forwardness that, too often, conservative pressures to be anything but pleasured and pleasurable, desired and desiring, hold us back from. It’s also a true story, but you’ll have to stream it to find out what about. 😉
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Swipe for a preview and follow KUU, @alexmetricmusic and @ritontime to keep up with all of the music we’re making together. Now go forth and get freaky! 😘
We are worthy of success. And love and respect and pleasure and beauty and free healthcare & education.
It took a partial lifetime and the shattering of every image of beauty that I had been sold by white supremacy, but I can now say that I am totally and completely in love with my hair. How nice it is to become ourselves.
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📷: @oprahtheactress
He’s so human that sometimes I forget I need real human contact too.
