Closed Sessions, the Chicago-based label that currently has signed the likes of Kweku Collins, Odd Couple, Boathouse and Kipp Stone, just added another vocalist to the roster: Jamila Woods. Along with the announcement, which came via Billboard, the Chicago singer released a new song, “Blk Grl Soldier,” which is a high-energy, straight-forward attack on overruling powers who dont’ give a damn about and kill her fellow people.
With a hint of inspiration from Erykah Badu (even the image above reminds me of one of our favorite black-and-white portraits of Ms. Badu), Woods fuses neo-soul elements with uptempo rock production from Jus Cuz and Saba. She reiterates “we go missing by the hundreds, ain’t nobody checking for us” while empowering the “black girl soldier” who stands up for her rights.
Woods spoke with Billboard about the inspiration behind the song:
“I drew inspiration from a protest chant I learned at a Black Youth Project 100 meeting in Chicago. I love how music and chants were used in the Civil Rights movement to help people keep marching. How songs were both a balm and a call to action. I’m interested in figuring out what freedom songs would sound like in 2016. My hope is that ‘blk girl soldier’ is a freedom song for black women today who are fighting the macro and microagressions of daily life in our city/country/world.”
Congrats to Closed Sessions to such a wonderful singing. Stream “Blk Grl Soldier” below.
