Following the release of their excellent version of Sam Cooke’s civil-rights movement classic A Change Is Gonna Come, South London youth music education project Youthsayers are back with another timely tune.
The anti-racist anthem Racist Friend was originally written and recorded by The Special AKA in 1983.
Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, the Youthsayers decided to record the song in isolation during lockdown and even managed to persuade original Special AKA vocalist Rhoda Dakar to make a guest appearance.
The song is produced by local legends Soothsayers who lead the project.
Play it loud!
I loved the original (I’m 54), and this is a timely cover AND I wonder- maybe the ‘racist friend‘ could be approached differently than simply ‘ending’ the relationship? I prefer to start a conversation and give 100% energy to exploring why the views have evolved, their roots and how entrenched they may be. I’ve had several experience listening to stories that led to a Prejudice; once they were aired, The holder of the view saw the absurdity and nature of the views in the clear light of reality.
Obvs, if the racism is deep and the person unwilling to explore…Ciao, vamonos, ‘amigo’ time. Love and respect, Robert