Young artists have went retro. They are mixing their voice with the culture, dress, and sounds from the 1920's - 80's. With the recent passing of our brother, Michael Jackson, we are really going to see a resurgence of the past.
As a lover of art and not frequent enough attender to live performance venues (and here in Philly, the live events are off-the-charts), I've been blessed to watch this retro phenomenon unfold.
A three piece female trio who incorporate the sound and moves of the Supremes, "Boy Wonder" barely 21 kills the guitar with blues and soul so good he gets the 'old heads' on the floor, "Government Cheese", an old school hip hop rock band whose name reminds us of the days of creativity...and to top this off, more and more younger people (age 28-35) are at the oldies parties! Go figure.
Hezekiah w-Jafar Baron & DJ Statik
But, this didn't just happen. It's been a few years in the making. Old becomes new. Well, new to the younger generation. Maybe its the grace, sophistication, and commitment of previous eras may be the attraction.
Pictured: Janelle Monáe, a Chief Founder of The Wondaland Arts Society, an independent record label and mystery school that designs capes for superheroes and art for aliens, which has a current deal with Bad Boy Records. Ms. Monáe states, "With regards to the way that I dress, to the things that come out of my mouth, I'm really trying to give a different perspective." Considering for a moment, she adds, "and I think there are a lot of young girls out there who are like me."
In 2006, Melanie Heimberg, a staff writer for the Golden Gate Xpress, states, "In an act of rebellion, music listeners everywhere are turning their backs away from their own generation's music..." in an article entitled Retro Music Has Modern Appeal. Melanie further shares San Fransisco State humanities professor Saul Steier's statements, "This phenomenon is particularly strange because nostalgia is usually reserved for old age. No prior generations have been more consumed with the past than today's college population."
Just think about it, Outkast bringing the 20's to hip hop, Erykah Badu brought popularity back to jazz and blues for many younger artists who are reflecting this influence in their music. Jazmine Sullivan, Jill Scott, Rihanna, and on...
Philadelphia's own, HEZEKIAH, a 20 something year old producer, emcee, musician with vocals, and Cody Chestnutt**, reminding you of Marvin Gaye, brings you right back to the 60s. Their collaboration, "WHAT KINA COOL", is an epitome of today's retro.
This conscious cool 60s throwback will get you to thinking as well as help garner a new audience for young Hezekiah. While, he is definitely hip hop, his mixing of live instrumentation, use of horns, jazz undertones, and more conscious diverse content definitely garners him a significant 30-45 year old audience.
"What kina cool will we think of next to hide behind?" THE YOUNG & THE RETRO.
Check-out the "making-of-the-video"
