nuno/diffuze
Shunaji takes the listener through her rich world with distinctive wordplay and flow - which is bilingual, no less - while a super slick, laid back jazz-funk groove provides the backing. I especially enjoyed the second part where everything subtly swings a bit more leading into the shouts of “GOLD, GOLD” in the end. A total journey in 4 minutes. Loved it.
‘Black Girl Blues’ is Shunaji's funk-inspired hip hop tune, full of the producer and songwriter's quirks.
Shunaji cleverly raps in English and Italian while making witty references to films, artists, and video games, all of which are framed within a broadcast from her ‘Black Girl Blues’ channel. Its vibrant sound is elevated by a smooth trombone arrangement that effortlessly blends Shunaji’s melting pot of sounds together, as the self-professed nerd celebrates her identity by declaring “Outside it’s black, inside it’s gold.”
The track’s supporting music video is just as fun, with Shunaji taking centre stage to portray a variety of characters from her ‘Black Girl Blues’ transmit. Switching between a sophisticated career woman and a dedicated musician, Shunaji’s world turns nostalgic as she’s joined by a live band for a soulful performance that’s full of sparkle.
Speaking of the creative process behind the track, Shunaji explains: “I had so many talented musicians involved in this track, and it features one of my favourite musical instruments: the trombone. The energy of Black Girl Blues is irreverent, fun, and wise all at once. The whole cast and crew were truly amazing and supportive; so much work went into the production of this single - and it shows.”
lyrics
I wake up in the morning feeling cynical
I write it out in syllables, miracles come in words
Lyrical swords from the maverick cause a havoc
I’ve gotta have to inhabit my enemies’ nightmares
Not into recycling rhymes but plastic is cool
I dream of Jeannie Cusamano and my bullies in school
It’s true news from the Black Girl Blues Channel
Tunnels at the end of the light at the end of the tunnel
I don’t wanna go down in the annals
Without trying to dismantle my nemesis
Misrepresenting, my legs trembling
From intentions to avenge me
“I’m gonna shut you up!”
The backlash could crack your back
Neck stuck, whiplash, look down, what's that?
Insomniac, reporting trouble in heaven
"Adrenalinically" shaken
I’m up all night to get lucky like Slevin! Get it?
If I could choose, I’d save my soul
Outside it's black, inside it's gold
Now let me show you all the things that I know
Come see the panther, watch her eyes as they glow
Con mille cose da dire darei notizie dure
Eppure in tasca ho zero lire, erede sì di sole rime
That’s who did it first, the stronger the curse
The higher the verse, a ghostwriter’s oath to host
Most clinically proven hoaxes, consciousness and jokes
That make me ever so clever, I never sat with the Heathers
‘Cause I’m a nerd with self-worth or a bird of a feather
To OutKast and Hemingway, guess I'm a heavyweight?
TU! pensa più a te stesso e sei lo stesso, in un riflesso indefesso
Quello che hai detto, l’hai detto
Mentre io adesso sul mic come splendo, cado - mi riprendo,
Illuminata immensamente sniffo fake ho il sesto senso
E vedo: Adidos, Adibas, Abibas, Addis Ababa
Gente che paga per la mediocrità
Dei Kardashian, “che belle labbra”
ABBRACADABRA! e ti risvegli mami
Nera senza legami e un master in tokenising!
If I could choose, I’d save my soul
Outside it's black, inside it's gold
Now let me show you all the things that I know
Come see the panther, watch her eyes as they glow
Black Girl Blues
"Tonight, on Black Girl Blues TV"
Please, stop! I think there’s something wrong with this song
I ring him like ding dong, honey, the witch ain’t gone she’s here for drama
I'm Donkey Kong with the bananas, hit the stores in my pyjamas
Unlike spangled banners I’ve got manners to show
Never letting go, I’m melting in sweat
Yet I’m so frozen my emotions are dead
A human on the surface, with an alien in her head
Let’s make a nation instead and call it Planet X
Becks, where’s my check? I'm high street
Next to nothing that you’ve ever seen in the scene
So you won’t find me stressing like I need
The validation of keepers at the gate
The institution is comparatively the same
As decades of pyramids and slaves
And I can’t explain the life of MJ
May they rest in greatness, please excuse my lateness
As I try to break these chains, take me to court with Cobain
If I could choose, I’d save my soul
Outside it's black, inside it's gold
Now let me show you all the things that I know
Come see the panther, watch her eyes as they glow
If I could choose, I’d save my soul
Outside it's black, inside it's
GOLD, GOLD!
(Now let me show you all the things that I know)
(Come see the panther, watch her eyes as they glow)
credits
released October 1, 2021
Produced by Shunaji
Lead vocals: Shunaji
Backing vocals: Naima Adams, Evie Asio
Bass: Alley Lloyd
Drums: Tash Keary
Keys: Roella Oloro
Samples, synth and programming: Shunaji
Tenor Saxophone: Ben Vize
Trombone: Laura Impallomeni
Mixed by Tony Nwachukwu
Mastered by Andrew 'Hippy' Baldwin at Metropolis Studios
supported by 9 fans who also own “Black Girl Blues”
Moodymann creates innovative soul funky music with deep 70s inspiration. The vocals are simply outstanding. A step back in time, 50 years ago! Superb. jef37
supported by 9 fans who also own “Black Girl Blues”
We turned on to Emma Jean at Monterey Jazz Fest, and she's the reason I went from 'ehhh I'm not sure I like Acid Jazz and I sure as hell don't like fusion" to "what the hell is *this awesome galactic brilliance?!* A rare talent and a damn fine slab of wax that I have on heavy rotation. I love many tracks including 'Spectre', and i wonder to myself how much it owes to Kate Bush's spectral "Watching You Without Me." jaxers
The 18-year-old Maryland rapper’s newest album combines coming-of-age themes with refreshing, expansive production. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 22, 2022
Inventive flows, abstract arrangements, and clever lyrics make 16-year-old Maryland rapper redveil an artist worth watching. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 2, 2020
supported by 9 fans who also own “Black Girl Blues”
Like so many others, this came like a bolt out of the blue and, even though it's well before payday, I had to have this astonishing album on vinyl to prove it exists. The feel of the tunes makes me feel like the Impressions do, Curtis Mayfield, the big spaces and instinctive horns and stuff drifting in and out. Great grooves and I can see lots of ghosts nodding along to this with big smiles on their faces. At last! Anthony Cottrell
