Today is the second day of Black History Month. Because the current administration is racist, fascist and wants to deny the existence and histories of anyone that isn’t cis-het and white, there are some important things everyone should remember during this month — and every single month:
- You can’t love Black artists and their work, and not see them as people
- Black lives — and Black art matters
- Black culture is American culture
As we go through the month, I’m going to talk about a collection of Black artists. It’ll be fairly comprehensive and eclectic list — although it won’t be a complete list. So far I’ve talked about the following:
- Big Boi, who celebrated his 51st birthday on February 1
- Rick James, who was born 78 years ago on February 1
Sudan Archives is one of the most talented and dynamic artists performing out there today. She’s also defiantly, in-your-face and joyously Black, an artist who was driven to remind the world of the Blackness of the violin, as well as the fact that although the violin may be known as a classical concert-based instrument, it actually has a deeper history as a party starter. Her work effortlessly blends punk and hip-hop swagger, classical music and house music in a way that’s club, headphone and festival friendly.
I’ve had the distinct pleasure of photographing Sudan Archives. Check out the following links:
TV On The Radio’s There Goes The Neighborhood at Under the K Bridge 9/13/25
Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival at the Prospect Park Bandshell 6/8/19: Ibeyi with Sudan Archives
Elsewhere Festival, Wichita, KS Day 2: 6/22/24
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