“This is futuristic work—work that doesn’t just serve as a reminder that there will be black people in the future, but work that mines for an understanding…” -Hanif Abdurraqib, blurbing ‘Blackspace’
Can’t pretend to read the future, but restaurant workers: I got a good feeling about your tips this weekend. Whatever counts for blessings from this blog, sending them to anyone reading this while working a closing shift.
What I’ve Been Reading: Found my copy of Blackspace!
I am not the best at reading this sort of CNF/philosophy/poetics, so I won’t pretend to have anything smart to say. That said, this book is an excellent experience. It’s sort of the mission statement of the book to expand your thoughts on what the future can be, but…this book absolutely expanded my mind on what a book can be and do. There is extended riffing on video art, particularly avant-garde video art. Got my wheels spinning about experimenting with music videos. Brendan and I did that a little bit with our record, and I’ve wanted to return to that creative well again. Haven’t found the time. Blackspace: On The Poetics of An Afrofuture is a book I’ll be returning to again, especially as a reminder that art should be bold. Finding the time is worth it.
LINKS!
RTJ CU4TRO! Run The Jewels’ fourth album remixed through “the prism of Latin America” (their words) shouldn’t need any more words to make you wanna check it out. Since this is a record of my thoughts, though: this album rips. There are layers and layers to these remixes, and it’s a rad new way to approach the tracks. Put it on and run through a brick wall.
Since we’re talking about Afrofuturism, here’s a fun Ringer piece by Lex Pryor on George Clinton, still going strong.
I haven’t seen Black Panther: World of Wakanda yet because I have a 4-year-old, but reminder that Roxane Gay’s World of Wakanda run in the comics is quite good.
Can’t look to the future without looking to the past, here’s Brandon Acker covering Polyphia on lute.
The future, apparently, is 7’4” guys hitting one-legged 3-pointers. Anyone remember NBA Street for PS2? My ultimate team after beating that game was an 8-foot-tall Yeti at center, 7-foot-tall create-a-player on the wing, and Michael Jordan at guard. Apparently, I wasn’t dreaming big enough.
Sorry you got an email,
Chris