This is a truly raw and groundbreaking cassette from Ahza Ahza “BLACK POWER AMBIENCE” :: two sides consisting of an original and brutally honest sound collage made from samples of the street marches and demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s death followed by a B Side mix performed most recently at a 1694 event in Philadelphia.
Ahza Ahza is the ambient bent project of rapper André Altrez whose Sprout cassette on Always Human Tapes a few years back introduced a new diversity in rap sound that crossed golden era hip hop delivery with Eno-worship synth pads and atmosphere. Altrez also has feature verses on my soon to be released double LP on Bedouin Records ::
André has been an enormous musical influence and a champion DIY aesthetic in a world that can be closed off to non-punk sound. He is an astounding artist and I am grateful to be able to release this work that feels much bigger than a platform I can provide it::
As with past releases, proceeds benefit NYC POC Healing Circle.
From the artist:
Black Power Ambience was made during a time of great stress for us as Black people. This was around the time of Korey Gaines, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Mike Brown, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner and countless others. The Eric Garner one hit especially hard for me, having gone to school in that area. Eric was someone I had always seen around the way and on the day he was killed I had just arrived back home. I walked past the scene and saw the lights and just figured it was the usual, I didn't know what happened until I got to my friends house up the block. All of this death broadcasted on the internet was a constant stream of trauma and it became heavy fast. It's nothing new to me, the idea that my life could end violently has always been in my mind. I wonder what it's like to not think like that?
So during all this my good friend Dave asked me to perform at one of his shows. At the time I was only rapping so I had to make something that would fit the bill.
This is how Black Power Ambience was born. My feelings are captured in it, and the vocal samples from my ancestors serve as a connection to the things that matter. I hope you enjoy it, I know I still do to this day. It gave me relief and I am thankful to the field for giving me the chance to channel this energy this way. Enjoy
-Ahza Ahza
credits
released November 16, 2020
Written and recorded entirely by Ahza Ahza in Philadelphia, PA
Recorded before a live audience, these compositions leverage the strengths of two ambient masters into a hypnotic 18-track set. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 25, 2024