James Baldwin At 100: His Genius Influenced Black Musicians

Friday marks the 100th birthday of James Baldwin, one of the most iconic figures in American literature and society, and one of the most treasured by the Black community.  His work so masterfully unpacked social issues, from what freedom must mean for all Black people—to all people—more than a generation after his death in 1987, that we can hear him in the work of Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé today.

As much as it was his orchestration of words, it was also how deeply intentional and how deeply specific he was with those words, ensuring every single one was earned.  His commitment to be fiercely dedicated to the truth as he knew it, sat with it, studied it until he finally danced with it on the page for us, allowed him a fearlessness in his exploration of race, sexuality, Americanism and oppression.

On Kendrick Lamar’s first defining album, To Pimp a Butterfly, for instance, we hear the echo of Baldwin’s reflections on systemic racism and the struggle for Black liberation. Lamar’s poignant lyrics and evocative storytelling mirror Baldwin’s incisive critique of American society. 

Similarly, Beyoncé’s Lemonade visual album channels Baldwin’s exploration of Black identity and resilience, weaving a narrative that celebrates Black culture while confronting the pain inflicted by racial and gender oppression.

And both are grounded by love.

The Right To Seek Freedom

Born on Aug. 2, 1924, Baldwin’s prolific career as an essayist, novelist and playwright (and he wrote poetry!) shaped the way we see the world or even simply know parts of it, consciously or not because even in issuing forth work that warned of the paths toward destruction, Baldwin’s center of gravity was always love.

His work— which totaled more than 50 distinct works delivered in book-length essays, short stories, long-form narrative, nonfiction and novels–pushed forth ideas society had yet to consider rationally if they considered them at all. His 1955 Notes of a Native Son, a collection of essays, opened doors about what it feels like in the deepest places to live Black in America. 

See the Complete List of Baldwin’s Books 

His ‘56 novel, Giovanni’s Room, gives the right to look for freedom beyond our current skies and waters–but most of it is a love story that unfolds between two men, one Black, the other white. This. Was. 1956. A from a gay Black man! 

The Fire Next Time, published in 1963, is a book-length collection of letters Baldwin wrote to his nephew, was a topography, the mapping of a new underground railroad; and If Beale Street Could Talk, which came in 1974, harking back to the idea of love that cannot be named, was the story of a couple, a man and woman, holding onto each other despite prison bars.

The Centennial Year: Welcome Meshell Ndegeocello and Rhymefest To The Stage

This year, the Baldwin Centennial Year, musicians are showcasing their own understanding and love for Baldwin in multiple forms.

In February, Rhymefest, Grammy and Oscar-winning rapper and songwriter out of Chicago, dropped his latest project, James & Nikki: A Conversation. The album takes inspiration from a 1971 episode of PBS variety series, Soul!, featuring a one-on-one conversation between Baldwin and fellow writer Nikki Giovanni. It utilizes audio snippets of Baldwin’s voice from the episode, and most of the album’s songs feature Rhymefest performing with a female rapper as they wax poetic about family, time, racial injustice, and grief. 

On “Elderberry,” Rhymefest trades bars with Franye Vibez about the love of their respective aunties and grandmothers and the loss that still haunts them from their deaths. It’s very much reminiscent of Baldwin’s work, which speaks highly of the feminine figures who raised him and molded him.

In an interview with Billboard, Rhymefest marveled at how prophetic Baldwins’s words were, connecting them to today’s problems. “[James] says, ‘No tyrant in history could read, but they all burn the books,’” Rhymefest said. “You see what’s happening in Florida, you see what’s happening around the country.”

As Rhymefest connected the dots between Baldwin and Giovanni’s conversation, Meshell Ndegeocello’s project, No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin, had been in the works for nearly a decade. The two-time Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/bassist conceived and performed a stage presentation in the form of “Can I Get A Witness: The Gospel of James Baldwin,” back in 2016 at Harlem Stage. Mimicking a church service, the show drew inspiration from Baldwin’s book, The Fire Next Time. 

On “Love,” one of the first leaks from No More Water, which drops in full today, Ndegeocello sings lyrics like, “Love Takes off the masks that we fear we cannot live without and we know we cannot live within” evoke some of Baldwin’s most eloquent wisdom. “If you can’t love anybody, you are dangerous,” Baldwin once said in an interview, discussing his book Giovanni’s Room. “You have we way of learning humility; no way of learning that people suffer, and no way to learn how to use your suffering and theirs to get from one place to another.”

Moreover, Baldwin’s influence extends beyond thematic parallels. His stylistic approach, marked by a blend of personal reflection and social commentary, can be seen in the lyrical prowess of artists like J. Cole and Solange. These musicians, much like Baldwin, use their art to provoke thought and inspire change, addressing contemporary issues while honoring the legacy of those who paved the way.

As we celebrate what would have been James Baldwin’s 100th birthday, it is clear that his voice still reverberates through the corridors of American culture. His work continues to inspire and challenge, serving as a powerful reminder of the enduring struggle for justice and equality. In the world of Black music, Baldwin’s legacy lives on, his words and ideas providing a wellspring of inspiration for artists committed to illuminating the truths of the Black experience and advocating for a more just and equitable world.

Through this exploration of Baldwin’s centennial and his lasting influence on Black musicians, we honor not only his contributions to literature but also his profound impact on the broader cultural landscape. Baldwin’s work remains a beacon of truth, resilience, and resistance, guiding new generations of artists in their quest to articulate the complexities of the Black experience and the ongoing fight for justice.

SEE ALSO:

Here Are 5 Insightful James Baldwin Interviews You Must Watch

James Baldwin’s Personal Archives Add Heft To Writer’s Towering Legacy

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