Episode 3: Cry Freedom

In this final episode of Season 1 of the Word.Life podcast, Donney unpacks his personal journey as a performance poet, the evolution of the politics in his writing, and how writing about race and culture proved to be the true mission statement of his artistry.

In this week’s episode of Word.Life, Donney is in conversation with poet Sasha Banks about her debut collection “america, MINE”, writing honestly about what America has been to Black people, and the injustices that impacted the collection’s writing

Singer/songwriter H.E.R. is one of the most accomplished artists of her generation. “Fight For You” is a revolutionary masterpiece that added to her growing legacy.

Donney talks about how the work of the late poet, Etheridge Knight inspired Black boys in Baton Rouge public schools to embrace poetry in a manner they never did before.

In this week's episode of Word.Life, Donney pays homage to Lauryn Hill's Unplugged album, the  revolutionary lyrics of the track "I Find It Hard to Say (Rebel)," her meteoric rise to stardom in the late 90s and the controversy that followed her after her breakout album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Donney sits down with independent hip hop artist and his good friend, Marcel P. Black to discuss Marcel’s song (and album) “Cry Freedom”, the 2016 summer of unrest in Baton Rouge, and what it means to put your politics on the line beyond the rhyme.

In this episode of Word.Life, Donney is in conversation with revolutionary poet, essayist, activist and scholar, Amoja ‘MoMan’ Sumler. They discuss his poem “The Key to Hitting”, systemic abuse and the literal violence that has plagued Black Americans for generations.

In this week's episode of Word.Life, Donney unpacks Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City" and the longstanding complexities of Black migration

Nina Simone once said that it is “an artist’s duty is to reflect the times,” when interviewed about her seminal classic Mississippi Goddamn. It is in that spirit of critical reflection that The North Star introduces Word.Life., a new podcast seeking to unpack the intersections of literary art, music, politics and the revolutions that are often amplified in the creative realm.Hosted by The North Star’s Chief Content Editor and poet, Donney Rose, Word.Life. is an exploration into the lyrics, verses, messaging and context of the songs and poems and prose and scripts where the art is the heartbeat, bassline and bottom line for radical change.From the timeless classics of yesteryear to the urgent work of modern-day griots, Word.Life. will dissect the work that lights the fire and calls the people to the frontlines.  Word.Life. is a weekly podcast that is released every Thursday on all streaming platforms, including Spotify, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, & Google Play and streaming on Twitch & YouTube.