“My mom played music growing up and I was in my grandma’s church choir, and then later the Chicago Children’s Choir, so I always loved music and singing. But when I got to poetry in high school it changed my perspective on what I could do as a singer. Before that, I was always in choirs and didn’t think I had the voice to be a solo singer. Through poetry, I started writing for my voice and having a message or a story I wanted to tell. The way that I approach songwriting now is definitely influenced by my work as a poet.” (LoudAndQuiet.Com)
Chicago-native singer, songwriter, and poet Jamila Woods found her individual voice in poetry although originally she never envisioned herself as a solo artist. She now uses her gift to speak life to her audience through the mediums of poetry, songwriting, and singing on stages around the world.
I first heard of Woods while taking in music from Chance The Rapper, Saba, and Noname (all Chicagoans) a few years ago. She highlights the track, Sunday Candy, by singing the chorus with a joyful tone. Sunday Candy is a tune by Donnie Trumpet & The Experiment that speaks to the power and warmth of grandmothers as well as familiar routines.
Woods’ voice is the calm that adds balance to hip hop tracks, and blends in beautifully with her own tunes’ orchestration. Whether in Chance The Rapper’s Blessings or Peter Cottontale’s Keys, Wallet, Phone, God, her voice is the element that brings balance to the beat. This makes sense as she grew up in a musical family, so it is only right that Woods would have an ear for the craft. It’s quite lovely to see that so many artists feel the same way as she has many more features under her belt.
One of her albums that I stand in awe of is LEGACY! LEGACY!. The project pays homage to Black male and female legends like artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, poet James Baldwin, and author Toni Morrison to name a few. This album is on-brand for her, as her entire catalog amplifies Black identity and the Black experience. The “GIOVANNI” track is inspired by poet Nikki Giovanni’s poem, “Ego-Tripping.” The “BASQUIAT” track delivers profound lyrics which put Woods’ poetry gifting on brilliant display. Although there is explicit language that would prevent me from playing the track around my nieces and nephew, these words deeply resonated with me:
After, after all
These teeth are not employed
You can’t police my joy, no
After, after all
My smile is not employed
You can't police my joy, no
As I think about the constant stories of policing of Black bodies, Black behavior, and Black culture that sadly fill the newsrooms or go unreported, these words remind me of what cannot be controlled: JOY. I think of the spiritual This Joy, specifically the lyrics:
This joy that I have
The world didn't give it to me
Ooh I said, the world didn't give it
The world can't take it away
In the midst of officers receiving watered-down verdicts to uncovering details about twentieth-century slavery practices, it is quite clear that Woods’ songs are needed to remind all about the strength and joy we are capable of walking in. Her songs tell the story of the faith that has carried us while enduring the challenges of white supremacy and racism.
I included the track Holy on our Black History Month playlist because it speaks to self-dependence while trusting God to provide the confidence needed to live life fearlessly and with love. Along with Holy, Blessings, and Keys, Wallet, Phone, God are songs included as well where Woods is the featured artist providing the melodic vocals that complete each track.
The permanence of Woods’ career seems to have already established itself, so I look forward to watching what’s to come for this artist. In many of her interviews, it is clear that her family and community come first. In her music, you hear her heart for Black women. The positive words, groovy feel, and vibey beats draw you in to enjoy life-changing music while taking in messages that only leave you better.
Kendolyn Walker is a creative based in Harlem who serves as producer and founder of The City Love Collective: City Love on the Radio, City Love NYC and the City Love Picnic.
