Today, GRAMMY-nominated ensemble Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science released the entrancing new single “Identity Song,” from the forthcoming album Trip the Night Fantastic (out July 31 via Candid Records). An alternative R&B anthem featuring vocalist Michael Mayo, emcee Nappy Nina, and harpist Brandee Younger, “Identity Song” tenderly addresses gender and queer identity, in support of sexual and gender minorities who are disproportionately impacted by queer-phobic bigotry. Empowering the queer and non-binary communities, Mayo beautifully sings “Just be,” while Nappy Nina doubles down with, “Be who you are in the face or the nose / You perfect from toes / Ain’t nothin’ here to dispose.”
“As a teacher, I encounter a lot of young people who are choosing not to stay within the binary when it comes to gender identity,” shares Carrington, who, in addition to being a GRAMMY Award-winning drummer, is also the founder and artistic director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. She continues, “We are living in a new time where this topic is part of the cultural, social, and political conversations of the day, and while there are many people who are rejecting this, it is real and people’s struggles are real. People are being discriminated against, and people are dying for being themselves, due to others’ discomfort.”
“‘Identity Song’ feels really special because the music itself embodies the message,” adds harpist Brandee Younger. “There’s something playful about the track. The production is layered and quirky, with a very serious sense of groove, making you want to dance while also making you listen very closely. The lyrics create a space for people to exist fully as themselves without judgment. It celebrates whoever you are, whoever you love, and however you identify. I think that’s part of Terri Lyne Carrington’s genius. She has this incredible ability to create music that is sophisticated and thought-provoking while still feeling very human and honest. The music and the lyrics are both achieving the same thing. The song reminds us that individuality and connection can exist simultaneously and that embracing our differences is where the magic happens. That’s what makes this track stand out to me.”
The soulful single follows the release of “Autonomy Song,” a compelling declaration of women’s independence and self-determination, featuring renowned artists Ledisi, Brandee Younger, Tarriona “Tank” Ball, and J. Ivy. Blending jazz with old-school R&B, “Autonomy Song” transforms heavy social critique into a movement-inspiring groove, reclaiming the narrative around women’s liberation with a message that is both celebratory and cautionary. Both singles are part of Trip the Night Fantastic.
The acclaimed Social Science collective (Matthew Stevens, Aaron Parks, and Morgan Guerin), led by four-time GRAMMY Award-winning drummer, educator, and activist Terri Lyne Carrington, returns with a new record to follow up their 2019 GRAMMY-nominated debut, Waiting Game. Boasting an illustrious roll call of emcees, spoken word artists, and instrumentalists, Trip the Night Fantastic explores systemic and contemporary themes that demand the listener’s attention, call them to action, and add stunning breadth to the time-honored tradition of amalgamating art and activism.
Climate change, immigration, gender justice, women’s empowerment, community building, and animal rights are all elucidated with a freshness, depth, and creative brilliance that can only be birthed from a group whose creative core is rooted in empathy and humanity.
“As a teacher, I encounter a lot of young people who are choosing not to stay within the binary when it comes to gender identity,” shares Carrington, who, in addition to being a GRAMMY Award-winning drummer, is also the founder and artistic director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. She continues, “We are living in a new time where this topic is part of the cultural, social, and political conversations of the day, and while there are many people who are rejecting this, it is real and people’s struggles are real. People are being discriminated against, and people are dying for being themselves, due to others’ discomfort.”
“‘Identity Song’ feels really special because the music itself embodies the message,” adds harpist Brandee Younger. “There’s something playful about the track. The production is layered and quirky, with a very serious sense of groove, making you want to dance while also making you listen very closely. The lyrics create a space for people to exist fully as themselves without judgment. It celebrates whoever you are, whoever you love, and however you identify. I think that’s part of Terri Lyne Carrington’s genius. She has this incredible ability to create music that is sophisticated and thought-provoking while still feeling very human and honest. The music and the lyrics are both achieving the same thing. The song reminds us that individuality and connection can exist simultaneously and that embracing our differences is where the magic happens. That’s what makes this track stand out to me.”
The soulful single follows the release of “Autonomy Song,” a compelling declaration of women’s independence and self-determination, featuring renowned artists Ledisi, Brandee Younger, Tarriona “Tank” Ball, and J. Ivy. Blending jazz with old-school R&B, “Autonomy Song” transforms heavy social critique into a movement-inspiring groove, reclaiming the narrative around women’s liberation with a message that is both celebratory and cautionary. Both singles are part of Trip the Night Fantastic.
The acclaimed Social Science collective (Matthew Stevens, Aaron Parks, and Morgan Guerin), led by four-time GRAMMY Award-winning drummer, educator, and activist Terri Lyne Carrington, returns with a new record to follow up their 2019 GRAMMY-nominated debut, Waiting Game. Boasting an illustrious roll call of emcees, spoken word artists, and instrumentalists, Trip the Night Fantastic explores systemic and contemporary themes that demand the listener’s attention, call them to action, and add stunning breadth to the time-honored tradition of amalgamating art and activism.
Climate change, immigration, gender justice, women’s empowerment, community building, and animal rights are all elucidated with a freshness, depth, and creative brilliance that can only be birthed from a group whose creative core is rooted in empathy and humanity.
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