In the aftermath of the historic election recently that makes Barack Obama America's next president, a lot of discussion surrounding race has come to the surface. Race should never play a factor in a modern world full of multicultural nations but regrettably it does, and despite some noble efforts over time, racism is certainly not a thing of the past.
Some of these discussions I have seen, read and heard about race recently, sound a lot like discussions people have had with me, about how Heavy Metal being a racist artform and is a music exclusive to white people. Those that know metal know that this is not true, but you would be surprised how many people, particularily in visible minority groups that believe this prejudice fantasy.
Music is truly an international language, so it should not surprise you that metal music exists in just about every culture there is on this planet. For the purposes of this article I will simply confine my examples to those artists of African descent (For a broader view of the international metal scene, watch Global Metal, a documentary available in the Forge-Tube, a link is located on the right hand sidebar of this page).
Artists of African descent are thought of as rappers and reggae artists and nothing more by the undereducated and xenophobic. Just because an artist comes from one race or another does not make them better or segregated to one style of music or another. So, if education is the cure for this racist pandemic then I suggest you use only a No. 2 pencil, open your mind to a blank page and prepare to be schooled, because class is in session!
Metal groups that contain members of African descent include:
1.
SEVENDUST: Lajon Witherspoon (vocals)
The group flying under the banner Sevendust since 1998 has played with some of the industry giants like now deceased guitar shredder and Pantera God, Dimebag Darrell, Korn, Godsmack, and Metallica. Up and coming artists even list them as being their inspiration behind their own unique visions.
"Black"- song inspired by Lajon's personal struggles growing up with racism.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O90WBpvlNk"Praise"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXnQZUOlYws2.
GOD FORBID: Byron Davis (vocals), Cory Pierce (drums)
These New Jersey thrash metallers lead the way for the New Wave of American Metal and after much touring finally recieved acclaim in 2006, when their song "To the Fallen Hero," won the Independent Music Award for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Song.
"To the Fallen Hero"- the award winning song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMwhJ6JV25Y"The End of the World"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0273mpIw6F43.
SKINDRED: Benji Webbe (vocals)
Appropriately calling themselves "Ragga Metal" this band hails from Newport, Wales and using Benji's Rastafarian inspired vocal style has made them standout in a sea of cookie monster growls that seems to be overtaking the genre. So much so that they toured with the likes of HIM, Soulfly, Breaking Benjamin, Korn, Papa Roach and fellow listers, Sevendust. More recently they teamed up with Bullet for my Valentine for their Scream! Aim! Fire! tour in 2008.
"Nobody"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRY31d55HSM"Rat Race"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-kmLkfFrtU4.
WICKED WISDOM: Jada Pinkett-Smith (vocals) Rio Lawrence (Bass)
Most find it surprising that the "Fresh Prince's" bride is a metal artist, even when they formed up in Los Angeles in 2003 not many knew what to make of her or her group. Among their accolades are playing the "Rock the Vote" tour, opening for Britney Spears European tour that same year and in 2005 becoming a fixture on the second stage of Ozzfest. An album rumoured to be named "Wrath of the Wicked" is expected out in 2009.
"Something Inside of Me"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA4T77EuzGk"Bleed All Over Me"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhNQKGq4QZwI hope those changed altogether if not at least skewed your perspective on the metal scene in general.
In the meantime, whether your black, white, brown, vermillion, teal or clad in steel, keep those horns high!
