In times of uncertainty, music has been a force that has been able to heal, unite, and spread powerful messages. Remixd Magazine spoke with eight different artists who have used their music platform to speak out against injustice, to build community, and/or encourage healing and togetherness. Each artist that we spoke with shared a unique story and explained the powerful inspirations behind their music.
Keep reading to learn more about each artist and the song of their choice that amplifies the message they want to share.
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AHNTY – “America”
AHNTY (formerly known as Tyesha Chaunté) is a 25-year-old singer/songwriter from Fort Worth, TX, and currently resides in Los Angeles. Her music carries a message of healing and freedom for every listener, no matter their differences in life.
Her song “America,” can be defined as a song that instills a message of hope. “‘America’ is a song that was written in 2017, at a time where I was overall sick of seeing everyone post about their political agendas and heartless responses on the topic of racial injustice,” AHNTY told Remixd Magazine. “I wasn’t seeing anyone create much change outside of their Facebook posts. So, I sat in my room ’till around 2 a.m. and this song came out of me. It was like God downloaded it to me Himself. Summer of 2019, I got the opportunity to record it with my amazing friend Daniel Dalexis and release it to the world. I knew that it was now or never to allow the world to hear this message of change. This is a song of hope for a broken nation. It tackles the media, freedom of speech, religion and inner city realities. I pray that ‘America’ hears this call-to-action song.”
You can follow AHNTY on social media, and listen to “America” below.
instagram.com/ahnty.music
soundcloud.com/ahntymusic
Jozondi – “Joker”
Jaren Wright is a 20-year-old artist who goes by the name Jozondi. His name represents a combination of two people’s names in his family who have passed away. “The reason that I chose this as my rap name is that I believe it will always serve to remind me not to lose the reason that I make my music, and to be a positive influence,” Jozondi told Remixd Magazine. “The town I was raised in was called Corona, California but I currently attend LMU as a screenwriting major in Los Angeles. Ultimately it is my goal that through my music and writing, I can make my family proud but also live out my dream of helping others find their purpose in life.”
His song “Joker” is in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and the current rend of righting the wrongs that “have been ignored throughout the past and present.” “Within this song, I address some of my problems with America in terms of being black,” Jozondi says. “For example, something I mention in this song that still haunts me to this day is what happened to Trayvon Martin. Him dying for just buying skittles in a hoodie and then his murderer getting off scot-free is something that will NEVER sit right with me. Trayvon could have as easily been me and its that day I learned America wouldn’t care if I died. Knowing that in this track, I let America know where I stand especially after seeing the blatant murder of George Floyd. I warn America what will happen if it doesn’t fix these issues and finally start living up to what it has been preaching for decades — “liberty and justice for all.”
You can follow Jozondi on social media, and listen to “Joker” below.
https://www.instagram.com/jozondi/
https://twitter.com/Jozondi
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOkimfjG2YVOSs-KajZQkKA
