Saul Williams & Anisia Uzeyman on their film Neptune Frost & other things

Art — in all manifestations — has purpose. And that purpose is defined by those who are able to pick it up and use it.

The spiritual, intellectual, and physical energies that are put into the creation of art are a reflection of the worldview of the artist — of the artist not in an individualistic sense but of the collective energies that culminate into the being that is producing the art — their ancestors, the environment, the community … the material and non-material realities.

Amiri Baraka (1987) in his article, Black Art, published in the Black Scholar, suggests that “art … is an expression of life … there would be a few people who would probably contradict that, who might say that life is an expression of art. But … we believe that art is an expression of life … that art, as such, expresses the values of the artist. And as such, it is a manifestation of the artist’s value system.”

John Coltrane once said that he wanted to play music that changed the world. I would decode this to mean that he wanted to find the universal melodies that move the human mind, body and spirit to become a vessel of peace and justice.

It would also not be misinformed to say that Alice Coltrane appearance in his life was an additional catalyst that pushed him further into spirit music.

I thought it was important to contextualize the program in this way, which may be accessed via the link below, because to understand Neptune Frost, is to understand the interplay between now moments and futurity, specifically an African/a futurity … it is to see how non-material realities are made material.

It is to understand that rhythm is indeed the foundation of all creation … and art is the most readily medium available to express rhythm.

More importantly it shows us that Africa in all of its multiplicity is the hidden face of god.

It is here I quote Cheryl Isheja [and by default, Saul Williams], who plays Neptune in the film: “my truth is encrypted … and yours is easy to read.”

What you will hear via the link below is a conversation with Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman, where they explore the art of Neptune Frost, through futurity as a lens to understand the processes of exploitation yet see the world beyond it.

Saul Williams is a lyricist, singer, songwriter, musician, poet, writer, actor & professional disruptor of normative assumptions of realities.

Anisia Uzeyman is a Rwandan director, actress, cinematographer, playwright and a professional disruptor of normative realities as well. Tap in to Dreamstates.

Listen to the conversation here [or via your favorite podcast platform]!