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We Wear The Mask​/​If We Must Die

by Neo Griot & The Afrocentric Prince

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about

The duo of Griot A.K. Toney and Jali/Musician Jira X are a collaboration of poetry, story, and music paying homage to our past and present. Through oral tradition music using Jazz and African instruments as accompaniment, Neo Griot and the Afrocentric Prince take you on a journey throughout the universe with poetry as the narrator.


Paul Laurence Dunbar, author of the poem We Wear the Mask, and Claude McKay author of the poem If We Must Die wrote these works between the late 1800s and early 1900s. Dunbar through his poetry let the world know that a smile can be a mask for people hiding the monstrosities that are unseen but felt. Whereas McKay through his poem conveyed the anger felt when people of color face brutality. These works are more relevant today than ever. A.K. Toney playing cajon and Jira X on kalimba give a rendition of history as lived in the present.

credits

released September 24, 2021
Produced and Performed by A.K. Toney and Jira X
Recorded at Woodshed Sounds
Poetry written by Paul Lawrence Dunbar and Claude McCay
A.K. Toney - Spoken Work Griot and Cajon
Jasik - Spoken Word Jali
Jamael Dean - Kalimba
Carlos Niño - Percussion
Mixed by Zeroh
Mastered by Daddy Kev

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about

A. K. Toney Los Angeles, California

Poet\Spoken Word Performance Artist\Educator. A.K. Toney has dedicated his life to performing poetry and teaching young people. Raised in the Leimert Park Village Arts Enclave, Toney became a Poet that transformed into Griot

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