photo credit: Carlota Guerrero |
Solange Knowles, an artist, a visionary, an overall musical dreamweaver, released a beautifully crafted album "A Seat At the Table". Featuring collaborations from Lil Wayne, Sampha, The-Dream, Q-Tip, Kelly Rowland and Kelela, ASATT is a project on self-identity, empowerment, independence, grief and healing.
When writing ASATT, Knowles shared:
"When I first started writing this record I was tired, filled with grief, and feeling broken. I felt so many got to create my narrative and all I wanted to tell my story, our story, in my own words, and in my own voice. 4 years later I am completely overwhelmed and humbled with pride and GRATITUDE for all of the love I have received on A Seat At The Table. I'm actually stunned still. I can't even put into words. Thank you all. I can't thank you enough."
Timing, Solange states, is what helped pen the track 'Cranes in the Sky.' The single highlights Solange's attempts to alleviate her pain through alcohol, sex, music and even running away from the rejection she has experienced as a black woman in America.
"Timing. I wrote "Cranes in The Sky" 8 years ago. It was 8 years ago Raphael Saadiq handed me a CD with a few instrumentals. One was just drums, strings, and bass. I went home and wrote "Cranes" that night in my hotel room. When I finished writing and creating A Seat At The Table in a little house in New Iberia, Louisiana.....I revisited "Cranes" once again. I called Raphael that night and asked if he would help me to elevate the production on a few of the other songs of the album to see their fullest potential. I am so happy 8 years later Cranes is finally out in the world."
The visual for 'Cranes in the Sky,' shot by Knowles and her husband, director Alan Ferguson, was filmed from her new home in New Orleans, through the deserts of her home state of Texas, and down to the sun baked mountains of New Mexico. Despite the sadness of this song, the scenery Solange paints in the video is breath-taking...
With eye-capturing cinematography, Solange and electronic-soul singer/songwriter Sampha dances about as Knowles sings "Don't touch my hair..." "When it’s the feelings I wear / Don’t touch my soul / When it’s the rhythm I know."
photo credit: Solange & her son Julez in "A Seat At the Table: Beginning Stages" documentary / screen capture |
Along with the release of her album and music videos, Solange released a documentary showing the making of her third studio album. "A Seat At The Table: Beginning Stages" is a look at the early days of Solange's songwriting, jam sessions, experimentation, collaboration, and the exploring of sounds and ideas for the album. While some of the jam sessions featured did not make the album, they helped to create and identify the sonic tone, and the early lyrics and concepts Solange wrote for the project.
Watch the music videos to 'Cranes In the Sky,' 'Don't Touch My Hair,' and the BTS makings of ASATT all below.
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