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The music trade sends conflicting messages about fame, and methods to attain it. Be sexual however not too sexual. It’s all about your expertise, however relying in your style, your picture is an enormous a part of that too. Put your self on the market, cowl your self up. Shield your self whilst you exploit your self whilst you maintain your head excessive.
It’s exhausting — chasing a mirage.
And I’ve all the time tried to maintain my head held excessive as a Black lady. However earlier than you is usually a proud Black lady, you’re a younger Black woman. Naive as anybody else, besides — the world doesn’t see you that manner. Actually, many studies show that, across all age ranges, the world views Black girls collectively as more adult than white girls. The notion, additionally, is that we’d like much less safety and nurturing than white ladies, and we’re perceived to know extra about intercourse at a younger age. Briefly: We’re not afforded innocence.
So, on the age of 16, when I discovered myself straddling school and recording studios, I entered the music trade someplace between a woman and a lady. And that, in America anyway — particularly whereas being Black — is a deliciously susceptible and engaging area to occupy for predators.
However proper now, in 2024, whereas this episode is dropping into your feed, hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been hit with five lawsuits in New York accusing him of sexual assault, sexual trafficking and interesting in different legal exercise. Former mannequin Crystal McKinney additionally filed a lawsuit accusing the rapper of drugging and sexually assaulting her at his New York recording studio in 2003. Cassie Ventura, Diddy’s ex-girlfriend, spoke out after CNN obtained a 2016 video of Combs attacking her in a lodge hallway. Grammy award-winning R&B singer R. Kelly has been sentenced to 30 years in jail on three costs of manufacturing youngster sexual abuse pictures and three costs of enticement of minors for intercourse. Younger Black women and girls abused within the music trade are lastly a bit extra seen. A bit extra heard. A bit extra welcomed into the dialog of injustice, and humanity.
Which suggests right here on Homegoings, it’s time to listen to some tales — and for me, it’s time to lastly share some. This episode is an element certainly one of a two-part exposé of types, as I communicate with two feminine musicians and an knowledgeable about what it means to be formidable, broke and brown and Black within the music trade.
“We’re not all the time being trustworthy on stage, loads of the time we’re faking it. And no person understands that. And we’re not imagined to allow you to guys know, that, like, the individual we’re sitting subsequent to is an abuser, or a drug addict, or, and now I stay with them on the bus. It is actually attention-grabbing that as genuine as you suppose an artist is, we’re simply not. As a result of we won’t afford to be.” – Res
Half One
Res, a Philadelphia-based artist with successful basic file says: “It is attention-grabbing that, you already know, we cover a lot as artists to have an opportunity to do our artwork. We simply basically cover a lot.” – Res
Deep pay attention
Res – I’ve Recognized the Backyard
I’ve Recognized The Backyard – Res
Santi White/Jeremey Lapinski
One among today the gig is up
Should not we take the time now
To indicate our love
Yeah, I obtained the blues once more
My mistake
Inform me did you see the top coming
Now I am looking for an indication
However trying again there are solely good instances
Now I am on the highway once more
My soul aches
It is clear that match will not work for me
And now although issues do not appear so sizzling
I do know I gave him all of the love I obtained
Bye-bye roses
I obtained me a hand that is bitter candy
However I do not care
I’ve recognized the backyard
Bye-bye roses
I obtained me a hand that is bitter candy
However no regrets
I’ve recognized the backyard
One among today the gig is up
Should not we take the time now
To indicate our love
She was all the time my greatest pal
By no means late and low ice cream made her smile
Now she’s left and gone away
And I am right here on my own one other day
And although I am going to miss her to no finish
My coronary heart breaks
Inform me did she see the top coming
No less than I do know it was sunny
On a regular basis that she spent with me
Bye-bye roses
I obtained me a hand that is bitter candy
However I do not care
I’ve recognized the backyard
Bye-bye roses
I obtained me a hand that is bitter candy
However no regrets
I’ve recognized the backyard
One among today the gig is up
Should not we take the time now
To indicate our love
Credit
In case you or somebody you already know is dealing with the trauma of sexual abuse, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Assist is offered.
This episode was reported and blended by Myra Flynn, with assist from affiliate producer James Stewart and edited by Saidu Tejan-Thomas Jr. The music was composed by Myra Flynn and Derick Rice. Different music from Blue Dot Classes. Elodie Reed is the graphic artist behind this episode’s Homegoings artist portrait.
See you in two weeks for the following episode of Homegoings. As all the time, you’re welcome right here.
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