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Mourning [A] BLKstar has spent the last decade creating music that blends soul, hip-hop, jazz and punk with a powerful message of justice.
The seven-piece collective鈥檚 sound has reached audiences around the world, from local venues to Washington, D.C., Germany, the Netherlands and beyond.
The band describes its sound as 鈥淎frofuturist鈥� and prides itself on its diverse lineup and electrifying lyrics that reflect the current times.
It all began with Cleveland artist RA Washington, who envisioned an orchestra of different voices and sounds.
He invited singers LaToya Kent and James Longs to the studio one day and handed them lyric sheets, encouraging the artists to record without hearing the songs.
This was around the time Kent was preparing to record another solo project. She said in that room she felt as though the musicians all shared a common thread and shared experiences.
鈥淲hen we're in a room together, it's magical,鈥� Kent said. 鈥淚t feels so organic. It's like a portal, like a little creative, magical chamber. I feel like you can see it in the air.鈥�
Those spontaneous sessions became 鈥淏laq Music,鈥� the group鈥檚 first album, and Mourning [A] BLKstar was born.
Over the years, the project evolved into a full collective of musicians, each with a strong voice and distinct creative identity.
Dante Foley joined in 2017 after Washington initially invited him to bring a drum to a show at the Grog Shop. Foley never left the band after that day.
鈥淲e're all big personalities, really tuned to our own craft,鈥� Foley said. 鈥淏ut we put that aside to create something together. Every performance, we check in with each other on stage, and that connection has sustained us more than anything else.鈥�
That connection is the heart of the group, both on stage and off.
鈥淓very show we get together and we have a huddle,鈥� Kent said. 鈥淲e connect, we hold hands or we make a circle ... So, when we get on stage, it's not just performative.鈥�
Kent said audiences get to witness the players鈥� connection with each other, and the experience feels like the artists are playing for one another, not just a crowded room.
鈥淲hen we're in a room together, it's magical."LaToya Kent
Hitting milestones and writing new music
Over the past 10 years, Mourning [A] BLKstar has reached new milestones, performing at the Kennedy Center twice, appearing on the cover of The Wire magazine and winning the Cleveland Arts Prize.
Kent said their goals used to be playing venues like Now That鈥檚 Class or the Beachland Ballroom.
鈥淎nd then now, we went to play Australia and all these places like that you would never thought you would even go,鈥� Kent said.
Their most recent European tour 鈥� their fifth 鈥� reminded them how far their music has traveled.
鈥淥ne guy was like, 鈥業 have all the albums,鈥欌�� Kent said. 鈥淚'm like, 鈥榃hat?鈥� He's like, 鈥榊eah I buy all the albums.鈥� So, they appreciate music in a different way.鈥�
Known for weaving social commentary and racial justice into their work, Mourning [A] BLKstar continues that focus on its latest project, 鈥�.鈥�
Inspired by member and trumpeter Theresa May鈥檚 habit of sending flowers to people she cares about, the record is both a celebration and a call to action.
鈥淲e were thinking about what it means to honor each other while we're here,鈥� Kent said.
Foley said the opening track, 鈥淪top Lion 2,鈥� faces hard truths head on.
鈥淭he boot is stomping down on Black and brown people currently,鈥� Foley said.
He said the group has always touched on these themes, particularly the lack of action taken to address this oppression.
鈥淯s being artists of discipline and artists of honesty, we're sick of folks lying and saying that we can merit our ways out of this oppressive system,鈥� Foley said. 鈥淲e have to both stop lying to ourselves and people in power have to stop lying to us.鈥�
The passion of this lyrical content is expressed sonically through unified, boisterous vocals and waves of sound that swell as the tension builds.
The album closes with 鈥淐hoir Alight,鈥� a message of hope and perseverance.
鈥淪o many of us have been in like a state of sadness,鈥� Kent said. 鈥淟ike, we're waiting for the next crushing thing to happen in our country. It's so easy to give up 鈥� what is it like for somebody to tell you four times, 鈥榙on't give up鈥�?鈥�
After 10 years together, the group shows no sign of slowing down.
Kent said they鈥檙e taking time to rest and reflect after a whirlwind tour, but the creative current never really stops.
鈥淯sually by the time we have a record coming out, we already have one that we are working on,鈥� Kent said.
Other members include Jah Nada on bass and production and Pete Saudek on guitar and keys.
