Deep Currents

i. Question

This song introduces the project, establishing about what the project will cover, introducing themes (realities of life moving from the east to the west, different facets of culture, generational realities, the importance of knowing our story, etc), various melody and “hook” statements that will return in different ways across the project, as well as certain realities I found interesting, but don’t fit specifically within the stretch from Martindale-Brightwood to Riverside.

Sonically this song also introduces the project, introducing much of the soundscape that will be present within the project.

C H O R U S
I know
It’s been a long road
So tell me where do we go?
Just to find hope

I know
It’s been a long road
But know they can’t take yo soul
And no they can’t kill yo glow
No matter what they control
Just keep yo faith and be strong

V E R S E 2
I had to pull up just to praise all the waves
that’s flowing in the west and the east
Talking bout Brightwood, Fall Creek, Riverside,
and everything in between
I caught Black Indy fever,
I looked at a whole bunch of different features
From the farms to the fashion, peeped the magic
and realized that there was something deeper
Tried not to form an opinion
Only really listened to those who witnessed
I learned a whole lot about handling business
And having good times with people you live with
And build with
There’s a beauty to it
Can’t escape the hard times but we gettin through it
Like how to honor the past, take your foot off the gas,
take what comes with the clash, and still keep it moving?
Well

C H O R U S
I know
It’s been a long road
So tell me where do we go?
Just to find hope

I know
It’s been a long road
But know they can’t take yo soul
And no they can’t kill yo glow
No matter what they control
Just keep yo faith and be strong

T A G
1-2-3-4-5
Tell me how you get free
Tell me how you get free
Show me how you get

1-2-3-4-5
Tell me how you get
Show me how you get free
Tell me how you get

1-2-3-4-5
Tell me how you get free
Show me how you get free
Tell me how you get

1-2-3-4-5
Tell me how you get
Show me how you get free
Tell me how you get

V E R S E 2
I reminisce about the old days
But too much talk on all of that and you’ll be stuck to your ways
Aye you could love yo almanac and still be true to yo faith
Nuance is key to be great
Memories on memories
Collecting all these moments just to set em free
Traversing all this trauma that you won’t believe
Just to give a honest time and honest rhymes
About our people’s history

Like how the Black Panthers here got started in Haughville
And how some stores that seen it all are here standing tall still
And how to keep a certain bar to reach to be called real
And how no matter circumstances know we gon ball still
And how the system always changing, so they don’t keep it fair,
The fight just to stay aware requires an atmosphere
Like happenings surrounding all my people in Fountain Square
The story way too big than the focus we tapped in here

So 1-2-3-4-5 tell me how you get free
Our bubbles different but our struggles hittin similarly
If we can learn each other’s story maybe we can find peace
And a comfortable beat to share our deepest grief

1-2-3-4-5 tell me how you survive
With all these swirling factors moving in on your peace of mind
She told me never too much
Move at the speed of yo trust
And always stay in tune with artistry that lives in your love

 II. Identity

This song highlights the importance of knowing our identity and where we come from. In lieu of that, this song is for the most part an audio history, talking about various aspects of how life was a couple generations ago. Information was aggregated through the conversations from people who were alive during that time or who were well studied through being surrounded by people who shared stories from that time.

Sonically, the vocal sample being used reminds me of an old black choir. It brings feelings of negro spiritual world to me. During the B section of the chord progression, the chords used more lend themselves to Jazz, In a sense the sonics are mostly paying homage to the past, while also collaborating with more present day sounds and idioms like Trap & RnB.

I N T R O
So much respect to the elders, the foundation
They don put this thang together, amalgamation
Thank you for the sacrifices, and all the patience
Know it’s been a long road to liberation

So much respect to the elders, the foundation
They don put this thang together, amalgamation
Thank you for the sacrifices, and all the patience
Know it’s been a long road to liberation to liberation

C H O R U S
How can we grow if we don’t even know
Where we come from, where do we come from?
How can we move if we don’t spread the news bout
Where we come from, where do we come from?

If we gon grow issa must that we know
Where we come from where do we come from?
If we gon fly then we must recognize
Where we come from where do we come from?

V E R S E 1
Well how long ago?
Bout a half a century after they had made a Broad Ripple
Great Migration brought somebodies lookin for a pot of gold
In the form of self determination where’s Chicago tho?
Bump that, we gon stay and we gon call this home
What’s audible? Neighbors as they passing by connection felt so honorable
We were segregated but the placement never faded hope that anything was possible
Everything was walkable connected like some dominoes

That was both the east side and the west side where’s the disconnect?
Really didn’t move east of Illinois due to city mess
Same thing on the east side, got to college never further west
Racism gon always play a part in lack of true access
It’s cool we gon build our own use our magic make it happen
Look at what we made cuz (cousin), big shout out to Crispus Attucks
Depended on the Brain Trust,
Genius runs all through our veins so whiteness couldn’t fade us
Excuse me if I’m shameless but

C H O R U S
How can we grow if we don’t even know
Where we come from, where do we come from?
How can we move if we don’t spread the news bout
Where we come from, where do we come from?

If we gon grow issa must that we know
Where we come from, where do we come from?
If we gon fly then we must recognize
Where we come from, where do we come from?

V E R S E 2
Mostly stayed within a certain radius and that was that
The parks was like our stadiums it brought us out our bubble’s grasp
Douglass had the swimming pool, Dust Bowl out in Lockefield,
And if you got to feelin cool aye pull up to Indy Ave
Went out there for music shows,
Went out there to laugh and chill and visit favorite dollar stores
Had the Midwest poppin its so crazy how the story goes
Disinvestment super drained that growing pretty pot of gold
Check this out they pulled up and they said

Domain was eminent
Took our land and kicked us out I’ll tell you bout that privilege
When you don’t feel the negatives but coppin all the benefits
I’m talking bout the trail of tears and highways moving residents
Talking bout displacement and how that affects the disconnect
Within a fractured story that was oozing with black businesses
I look at all these images and wonder where the feelin went
The pain goes deep, the struggle’s real,
But never fear the consequence of knowing where the problem is cuz

C H O R U S
How can we grow if we don’t even know
Where we come from, where do we come from?
How can we move if we don’t spread the news bout
Where we come from, where do we come from?

If we gon grow issa must that we know
Where we come from, where do we come from?
If we gon fly then we must recognize
Where we come from, where do we come from?

V E R S E 3
Aye look, we gon build us our own
I know very good and well the power legacy holds
Talking bout the Flanner Houses and The Originals
And how that moves us to place of knowing how this thang goes
Know you gotta be bold,
But if you too bold they tell you that you too Black
And tell you that you just don’t know
When you’ve known your whole life
Don’t ever don’t doubt that your inheritance built through night,
Through the pain and the strife

So much respect to the elders, the foundation
They don put this thing together, amalgamation
Thank you for the sacrifices and all the patience
Know it’s been a long road to liberation

So much respect to the elders, the foundation
They don put this thing together, amalgamation
Thank you for the sacrifices and all the patience
Know it’s been a long road to liberation to liberation

O U T R O
Promise you won’t forget me
Promise you’ll sing about me
(So much respect to the elders, the foundation, they don put this thing together, amalgamation)
Promise you (Thank you for the sacrifices and all the patience)
Promise you (Know it’s been a long road to liberation)

Yeah Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

(1-2-3-4-5 tell me how you get free)

 III. Resilience

I was looking to move the narrative forward with this song, highlighting the resilience of Black people within Indianapolis from generation to generation, while also connecting it to the previous song. How the community has been able to innovate, grow, and evolve. This song is the biggest mixture of people from all generations, lyrically and thematically. I’m looking to highlight and celebrate community.

Sonically this song feels like the 80s/90s to me, with a new age twist to it. Again, trying to move the narrative forward through time.

C H O R U S
I’m resilient fam
The squad is on a mission man
I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna
I’m never ever ever
I’m never ever ever ever gonna

I’m resilient fam
The squad is on a mission man
I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna
I’m never ever ever
I’m never ever ever ever gonna

V E R S E 1
I know this feelin for real
I don built an Ebenezer just to savor the thrill
You know we came a long way from when we first had to build
We don jumped a couple hurdles and don made us some deals
Aye look remember when we used cruise down 38th?
With the flyest whips the illest motor real estate
I know we moved a couple times I know things don changed
But the spirit could never die and it could never fade

C H O R U S
I’m resilient fam
The squad is on a mission man
I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna
I’m never ever ever
I’m never ever ever ever gonna

I’m resilient fam
The squad is worth a billion man
I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna
I’m never ever ever
I’m never ever ever ever gonna

V E R S E 2
Had to learn that its better to own than to rent
I done seen the homies priced out to their detriment
Apartheid of the money flow is deeper than deep
I reconnected with the land and learned to sow and to reap
And put the children on game
I know that things evolve, but truly man some things stay the same
Like this wonderful gift, and like this wonderful skin
Like this spirit that’s determined we gon fight til we win and keep the family on ten

C H O R U S
I’m resilient fam
The squad is on a mission man
I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna
I’m never ever ever
I’m never ever ever ever gonna

I’m resilient fam
The squad is worth a trillion man
I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna
I’m never ever ever
ever ever ever
ever ever ever

H O O K
I am strong
I’m resilient
And I know where I come from

V E R S E 3
Had to give a cameo to Cameo
The illest horse that the city blocks will ever know
From Black horsemen to Black porches
We gon always keep it real when it’s us supportin
Truly we some people with the illest range
I think it’s beautiful we represent so many things
From fillin flowerbeds to building up some real estate
And only moving backwards on the tape or when we skate
You know it’s different when you feelin the bass
And when you having them days when the family ok
Cuz we don been thru some pain
Talking death after death that really stretch out yo faith
That’s why you gotta take space
To really heal and say thanks
To the elders that done got us here and helped us be great
And learn to move out the way
So the kids can come behind and really feel our embrace
And know we gon be ok
Just know we gon be ok

H O O K
We are strong and resilient
Cuz we know where we come from
Yes we know where we come from

I am strong
I’m resilient
Cuz I know where I come from

C H O R U S
I am strong (I’m resilient fam)
I’m resilient (The squad is on a mission man)
Cuz I know where I come from (I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna)
Yes I know where I come from (I’m never ever ever, I’m never ever ever ever gonna)

I am strong (I’m resilient fam)
I’m resilient (The squad is worth a zillion man)
Cuz I know where I come from (I’m never gonna, I’m never gonna)
Yes I know where I come from (I’m never ever ever, ever ever ever, ever ever ever)

O U T R O
I think the part that needs to happen here
All the story, way back, slavery.
The population that went through that, how did they survive?
How is is race (racism) is still here?
So can we learn the trick?
The thing is the past is what’s gonna fuel you.
It’s just like going to the gas station and filling up.
You need to know who you are.

 Iv. rememory

In this song I’m seeking to highlight themes consistent with Black people from Gen Y and Gen Z who I’ve been able to talk to. Themes of being open and upfront about feelings and emotions. Recognizing where we come from, but also a fearlessness in regards to all things, career wise, value wise, not holding onto certain unhealthy patterns that may have been inherited. A general sense of progressing forward and what that means. Caring for and showing love. “Promise you’ll sing about me, Promise you won’t forget me” is a recurring lyrical, melodic, and ideological theme that travels through this project. At this point in the project’s arc, in this context, to me it means advocating to include the voices of younger people, whereas earlier it may advocate for not forgetting where you come from and respecting your elders.

Sonically I wanted this to feel the most futuristic. Although that’s there, there are still different vocal samples and chord progressions that pay homage to the past.

C H O R U S
Promise you won’t forget me
Promise you’ll sing about me
Tell me you’re proud of me
I need some reassurance
I need belief and courage
I’m carrying all these burdens
So promise you

V E R S E 1
All I need is for someone to believe in me
I been having trouble receiving me
It must be a mix of PTSD
Covered in worry bout needing green
See I ain’t just worrried bout feeding me
I gotta represent for the family
I’m needing all this pressure to be released
See I don got dreams on dreams
I remember building the team
Tryna find a place in the world
It’s difficult you know what I mean?
Focusing on pushing it forward
Focusing on ways to endure
Making space to feel all the feels
Making space to really go heal
And really go hard
It’s all for the squad and Lawd
All I know

All I know is my inheritance strong
All I know is if we building the bond
Then even if we struggle still we go far
The city going through a change of the guard
City never seen the wave that we on
Similar to making moves on The Ave
But look at all the range and placed we got my Lawd
All I know

Time gon move and time gon change
And with every change some things still remain
My mama taught me bout community
And all the tax that come with opportunity
And how to write a eulogy for all that ruins me
All I know
All I know is that we lit lit lit
All I know is that we hold up

I know the system wasn’t built for us
I know that builds a stronger will for us
I know our story been erased from the ground
But never from spirit
My family lit anybody could get it
My hustle is strong big shout to the village
We building it up to give to the children
The work never finished I live this
All I know

C H O R U S
Promise you won’t forget me
Promise you’ll sing about me
Tell me you’re proud of me
I need some reassurance
I need belief and courage
Carrying all these burdens
So promise you won’t forget me
Promise you

V E R S E 2
Self determination gotta be strong
Self evaluation gotta be taught
All I know is how to really work hard
Do what I can and leave the rest up to God
Sometimes I think there’s too much I know
Like knowing why and where the money will flow
And why they still don’t open up all the doors
Oh Lawd all I know

Working towards some new solutions
If you feel it deep within then do sum (something)
There’s a movement happening
The truest tapping in to build a revolution
All I know is there’s lots of hope
All I know is that the culture is dope
All I know is that the message is clear the future is here
And baby all I know

C H O R U S
Promise you won’t forget me
Promise you
Promise you’ll sing about me
Tell me you’re proud of me
I need some reassurance
I need belief and courage
I been carrying all these burdens
Promise you
Promise you won’t forget me
Promise you

M I D - O U T R O
Every Black kid’s a star
It’s even better when you know who you are
To the kids
Keep going hard

V A M P
Promise you won’t forget me
Been a minute
Been a minute
I been waiting way too long
We been waiting way too long
Liberation
Elevation
We been waiting way too long
We been getting hate too strong
Promise you won’t forget me
Promise you

Oh I promise
Oh I promise
I been waiting
Celebration
Liberation
Hesitation
In a matrix

O U T R O
I gotta whole lotta Black Gold
I love a whole lotta Black souls
Even if I’m down I would never fold
Never doubt that we finna make it home

 V. Benediction

The ending. I want this song to feel like a release. This project is a celebration, but in order to help place the importance, need for, and true blessing that celebration provides, I feel it had to be placed in the context of the hardships and not so pleasant times that helped birth the celebratory aspects of the culture and community. At this point in the project’s journey, there are no more specificities to highlight, important agenda points to relay, it’s simply about encouragement, celebration, and a certain feeling of rest, peace, and calm.

Sonically this song is a lot like “Question,” drawing on black idioms like gospel, jazz, hip hop.

C H O R U S
I pray the sunshine finds its way to you
And pray resistance don’t get comfortable
Know when the rain falls
I’m just a call away
Just know when the sun stalls and the pain walks
The family always prays

We pray the sunshine finds its way to you
And pray resistance don’t get comfortable
Know when the rain falls
I’m just a call away
Just know when the sun stalls and the pain walks
The family always prays

I wanna see the summer nights
I wanna know freedom is nigh
But trust when the rain falls
I’m just a call away
Know when the sun stalls and the pain walks
The family always prays yeah

(Thank you so much, for everything)

V E R S E
Had to pull up just to praise all the waves
that’s flowing from the west to the east
Talking bout Brightwood, Fall Creek, Riverside,
and everything in between
I caught Black Indy fever,
Looked at a whole bunch of different features
From the farms to the fashion, peeped the magic
and realized that there was something deeper

Appreciation
Learning how to honor foundation
And still make space for innovation
Whole lotta nuance in the matrix, gotta face it
Know it’s tough love
That’s why it’s always lit when the sun comes
That why you gotta know where you come from
Never run from
Know I gotta let the homies come and get some,
Talk to em

C H O R U S
We pray the sunshine finds its way to you
And pray resistance don’t get comfortable
Know when the rain falls
I’m just a call away
Just know when the sun stalls and the pain walks
The family always prays

I wanna see the summer nights
I wanna know freedom is nigh
But trust when the rain falls
I’m just a call away
Know when the sun stalls and the pain walks
The family always prays yeah (1-2-3-4-5 tell me how you get free)

O U T R O
A gumbo mix featuring a majority of the musical themes presented in the project

shout outs

Thank You for Breathing Life into this Project

Akeevion Carter
Alia Massey
Ari Dickerson
Aryana Pinex
Ashley Scruggs
Aster Bekele
Aurora Jefferson

Benny Ogayonne
Brooklyn Gray

Caleb Keitt
Caleb Smith
Candace Jones
Carol Evans
Chris Smith
Cierra Johnson
Clark Staton
Clete Ladd

Dalles Patton
Damon Anderson
Damon Covington
Dave Lindquist
David Mckissic
Davion Pulliam
Deborah Asante
Devon (Riverside HS)
Diane Ivey 
Dija Henry
Diop
Disa Watson 
Dorian Hayes
Dreadlock Mami 
Drew Walker
DJ Stallone

Ebony Chappel
Eduardo Luna 
Elayna Pinex
Eleyes Reeves
Elijah Pathak
Emily (Riverside HS)
Erika Blue
Ess Mckee
Eunice Trotter

Forest Dickerson

Gabby Jackson
Garren Chandler
Gary Gee
Gina Fears
Gordo
Gregory 

Hadessa Henry
Hayes Barnes
Hope Staton
Ibrahim Kamara

India Brown 
India Griffin
Israel Solomon
Issac from Rock 

Jackie Owens
Jackson Maxwell
Jacob Berry
Jacob Duncan
Janay Coleman
Jared McClain
Javier Weatherly
Jay Purnell
Jay Thomas
Jayanna Woods
Jayden Dailey
Jayden Talley
Jerry Hernandez
Jerry Swank
JoAnna Lenoir
Joanna Taft
Joe Frank
Johnathan Weatherly Jr.
Jordyn Evers
Jordan Fears-Neal
Joyce L. Moore
Julie Berend

Kamyla Perry
Kassidy McFarland
Kay Hawthorne
Keaun Brown
Keesha Dixon 
Keon Harris
Kelita Dotson
Keri Kirschner
Kevin Price
Kewan Woods
Khylee Roberts
Kip Normand
Kwesi R’Mani
Kyla Jefferson
Kyle Dickerson

LaNisha Clark
Larry Keough
LaToria Porter
Latrell Williams
Linda Belton
Lora McGuire
Louis Mosely 

Macy Lethco
Marry Williams
Maurice Broaduss
Maya (Riverside HS)
Micaiah Henry
Miles Mcguire
Moriah Miller
Mystrie Rose

Naomi Davis
Naveah Quinn
Nick Selm 
Nigel Long

Paradise Bradford
Paul Ross
Paula Brooks
Paul Webster
Payton Carter
Pearl Carter
Percy Bland
Phyllis Hackett
Psylo
Pure-Trition Squad

Quinten Griffin

Rachel Mckissic
Reggie Mcguire
Rio Onomuodeke
Rome Herbert
Ron Lovett

Sampson Livingston
Sarah Peacock
Selah Henry
Shirley Webster
Sidney Brittingham II
Sierra Sillyce
Skylar Gambill

Tedd Hardy
Terrance Asante 
Terri Taylor
Tia Massey
Tristan Wilcher

Wildstyle

Directed, Edited, Written by
David Mckissic 

Director of Photography
Joe Frank

All Songs Written, Produced, and Engineered by
Seaux Chill

Organization Partners
BLACK: A Festival of Joy
GANG GANG
Madam Walker Legacy Center
The Harrison Center
The Joyce Foundation

Inspired by Black Indianapolis