September 30, 2016, Solange explained that she had plenty to say about being Black in America, and how to flourish while being Black in America with the release of her album A Seat at the Table. With 21 tracks that mix commentary from her father (Matthew Knowles), her mother (Tina Knowles), as well as Master P, about the history and present status of the Black body, Solange expresses herself as an unapologetic Black woman in the face of injustices that Black people face daily in America. The spoken word and musical elegance that is found on A Seat at the Table create a timeless masterpiece with a strong narrative that music had been needing for a long time. Here are the top six picks from the undeniably captivating album.
1. Weary
With enchanting whispers on “Weary” Solange sings that she is “weary of the ways of the world” and tackles the issue of the racial and gender-based hierarchies in society, as she asserts that “a king is only a man with a flesh and bones, he bleeds just like you do.” She pushes away all who tell people that only certain people belong in this world and establishes the importance of all types of people’s existence.
2. Don’t Touch My Hair
“Don’t Touch My Hair” is an anthem of self-expression and self-identity with a mellow funk that explains why no one should have any problems with how Black people present themselves to society as “they don’t understand what it means” and how having natural hair and accepting the beauty in being Black is key to surviving while Black. Solange stresses that in order to remain true to yourself in the midst of the world, you cannot let society touch your “soul”, “hair”, “mouth”, or “pride”.
3. Tina Taught Me
On top of a perfectly positioned instrumental of “Don’t Touch My Hair”, on for “Tina Taught Me” Solange sounds in the voice of her mother Tina Knowles who expands upon the beauty of blackness and how Americans seem to misinterpret the celebration of Black culture. Tina says that because people do not understand African-American beauty, African-Americans are not allowed to express pride in being Black “and that if you do, then it’s considered anti-White.”
4. Mad
Light drops of a piano provide the background for “Mad” on which Solange tells us “you got the right to be mad” but in the end, anger should be temporary and life should be enjoyed no matter what problems you are presented with. Rapper Lil’ Wayne also joins Solange on the track to vent about his problems such as loneliness and not feeling any support from his family, but also helps listeners to realize that dwelling on anger is what stalls your life.
5. Cranes in the Sky
Solange also explains the roots of her personal struggles and how she has come to be at peace with them even after she “tried to drink it away” and “work it away” on “Cranes in the Sky”, a song that has the kick of a snare drum mixed with melodic strums and sweet high notes.
6. F.U.B.U. (For Us By Us)
On “F.U.B.U.” Solange is accompanied by The-Dream, and BJ the Chicago Kid, to express the trials and tribulations that plague a majority of African-Americans such as “when a n**** trying to board a plane and they ask you what’s your name again” as well as some of her own personal encounters with racism like not feeling safe in her own neighbourhood as people “ask you where you live again.” Solange takes back what has been taken from African-Americans as she decrees “don’t be mad if you can’t sing along” because “some s*** is for us, this s*** is for us.” The song’s horns and Solange’s slightly annoyed tone give the song its deserved eloquently vengeful atmosphere.
Take A Seat at the Table for a journey of Black empowerment and growth to the sound of polished vocals and carefully crafted lyrics to be enjoyed for years to come.
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