There is no shortage of media, cultural consensus, or belief systems that emphasize the humanity of white people. We, as a collective, are conditioned to default to explaining, empathizing with, and trying to understand what could compel white people (individually and at large) to hold contemptible views, or engage in violent acts, or exhibit behavior that upholds white supremacy. We, as a collective, are taught to bend over backwards to allow for the humanity of a people who insist on upholding systems and structures and institutions that are inhumane.

I am an Artist. That means that I see things, I make things, and I channel things. There are moments (like today) - where I get humbled and overwhelmed by the fact that these words chose me. They come through me, and so they’re mine, but they’re also more than that. As an Artist my job is to listen, let the magic do what it does, and capture what I can when I can.

ANNOUNCING our new EP: “I’ll Say It How I Want To”, due out June 8, 2018!! Click here to Pre-save on Spotify. Click here to Pre-order the digital album. This is our debut release as Makeda!, and this music is a long time coming - we are STOKED to share it with you all!! The album drops on June 8, and until then we’ll be dropping teasers, news, thoughts, as well as a NEW song and music video from the EP.

Today we’re announcing the decision to change our band name. As of today Music Bones is a beautiful memory and the era of Makeda! begins. Our new band name honors and pays homage to the real name of the Ethiopian Queen of Sheba, Makeda (pronounced ma kə da), as named and identified by the Kebra Nagast. This name change is our way of holding space to recall and correct histories that have been whitewashed, minimized and distorted by white supremacy, patriarchy and imperialism.

We finished working on the EP that we’re releasing this June (more on that very soon!) sometime in December. By mid January the songs were done and I was exhausted. I tried to push through that exhaustion to put out that music asap. I’m really excited to share what we’ve been quietly up to! But I was tired. I went and saw one of my teachers, Ama Nkwa — fully expecting to be told to push through.

I’ve gotten a lot of feedback on my piece about white supremacy and leadership from white women who appreciate being “educated”. I appreciate you all for reading, sharing, and engaging, but I want to raise up and share something that I said in a comment addressing how even that idea (that I write to educate you) is an extension of white supremacy. Part of unpacking white supremacy is acknowledging the ways in which efforts to dismantle racism are structured to center the needs, wounds, and ultimately the education of white people.