Following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, Seattle has seen night after night of protests and KEXP DJs have responded by playing music by Black artists—music with a message. One of those DJs is Larry Mizell, Jr., host of Friday night’s "Street Sounds." He reflects on yet another death in the Black community, discusses the power of music to spread a message and shares the songs he turns to during these times.

“I think there’s nothing older, more central to music than delivering a message. That’s what it’s always been,” Mizell says. “Whether it is being used in a spiritual dimension, or it’s used, as it was early employed in the African American experience, by slaves in the fields who literally communicate plans, news that their overseers couldn’t decipher.”

Songs discussed:

“Fuck the Police” by NWA

“Fuck the Police” by J Dilla

“Burn” by Killer Mike

Following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, Seattle has seen night after night of protests and KEXP DJs have responded by playing music by Black artists&mdash;music with a message. One of those DJs is Larry Mizell, Jr., host of Friday night&rsquo;s "Street Sounds." He reflects on yet another death in the Black community, discusses the power of music to spread a message and shares the songs he turns to during these times.
&ldquo;I think there&rsquo;s nothing older, more central to music than delivering a message. That&rsquo;s what it&rsquo;s always been,&rdquo; Mizell says. &ldquo;Whether it is being used in a spiritual dimension, or it&rsquo;s used, as it was early employed in the African American experience, by slaves in the fields who literally communicate plans, news that their overseers couldn&rsquo;t decipher.&rdquo;
Songs discussed:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np-H2EKDPNA">&ldquo;Fuck the Police&rdquo; by NWA</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSRwrwC0iEg">&ldquo;Fuck the Police&rdquo; by J Dilla</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33bgUSxbfqY"></a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33bgUSxbfqY">&ldquo;Burn&rdquo; by Killer Mike</a>

On A Deeper Listen, host Emily Fox and other storytellers from KEXP talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way.

On A Deeper Listen, host Emily Fox and other storytellers from KEXP talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way.

Advertisement