anaiis on her new album: 'I wanted to go back to places that moved me' • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Anise's Album "Devotion and the Black Divine": Explores themes of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora, displacement due to slavery and colonialism, and the power of nature.
• Visual Storytelling in Music Videos: Anise emphasizes the importance of music videos for conveying narratives and historical context that cannot be fully expressed in songs.
• The Maroons of Jamaica: Featured in the "Deuce Deuce" video, representing resistance against colonialism.
• Jamaica as a Filming Location: Chosen for its lush nature, history of resistance, power, and freedom, and its personal significance to Anise's pregnancy.
• Stylistic Choice: Lowercase Name: Anise writes her name in lowercase as a tribute to author bell hooks and her philosophy of centering the message over the artist.
• bell hooks' Influence: Anise admires bell hooks as a radical thinker and visionary who advocated for centering the message and de-emphasizing the artist's ego.
• Live Performance Philosophy: Anise views live shows as opportunities for transcendence, spirituality, heart, soul, intimacy, and vulnerability.
• Aya Nakamura's "DNK": A new album by the highly streamed Franco-Malian artist.
• Victor Lenman's "Ravel Recomposed": A project reinterpreting Maurice Ravel's classical works with modern instrumentation and collaborations.
• Young Bloodood and Aerosmith's "One More Time" EP: A collaboration between a rising punk-pop star and rock legends.

Anise's "Devotion and the Black Divine" and Artistic Vision

Anise, a rising R&B singer and producer mentored by Daniel Caesar and Erykah Badu, discusses her recently released album, "Devotion and the Black Divine." The album, recorded between London and LA, delves into the experiences of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora, addressing themes of displacement caused by slavery and colonialism. Anise explains that her personal journey as a Black woman who has lived in France and Oakland, California, with its rich history of the Black Panther movement, has instilled in her a sense of responsibility to continue the fight for freedom for people of color.

The Role of Nature and Jamaica

A significant theme in the album is the power and nurturing aspect of nature. Anise felt a sense of grounding and increased empathy for humanity when immersing herself in nature, observing its chaos and beauty as part of the human experience. This led her to center the album's visuals in Jamaica, a location chosen for its lush natural landscapes and its historical significance in resistance, power, and freedom. This choice was also deeply personal, as Anise discovered her pregnancy while visiting Jamaica, a transformative experience that reshaped her engagement with her artistry.

Music Videos as Storytelling Tools

Anise highlights the crucial role of music videos in her artistry, especially in the current music landscape where investing in visuals can be challenging due to financial constraints. She believes that music videos are essential for storytelling, drawing audiences into a world, and conveying elements that cannot be fully expressed in songs.

Case Study: "Deuce Deuce" Music Video

The music video for "Deuce Deuce" exemplifies this. It features the Maroons of Jamaica, whose history of uprising and resistance against colonialism, particularly the English, is a powerful testament to their unwavering spirit. Anise explains that while this history influences and inspires her music, it cannot be fully articulated within the song itself, making the visual medium vital for its representation. The Maroons' three-year struggle and refusal to give up are central to the song's message.

Tribute to bell hooks and Artistic Philosophy

Anise's stylistic choice to write her name in lowercase is a deliberate tribute to author bell hooks. She admires bell hooks as a radical thinker and visionary, placing her alongside influential figures like Nina Simone and James Baldwin. Anise resonates with bell hooks' philosophy of centering the message and the work, rather than the artist's ego. She sees herself as a "vessel for music and for ideas and for healing," aiming to carry on this legacy of de-emphasizing personal ego in artistic pursuits.

Live Performance Experience

Looking ahead to her upcoming London performance on December 3rd and her European tour, Anise describes her live shows as experiences focused on "transcendence and spirituality." Audiences can expect "a lot of heart and soul and intimacy, you know, vulnerability."

Music News and Collaborations

The show also touches upon other notable music releases and projects:

Aya Nakamura's "DNK"

Afropop superstar Aya Nakamura has released her fifth album, "DNK." The 30-year-old Franco-Malian artist is one of the most streamed Francophone artists globally.

Victor Lenman's "Ravel Recomposed"

Victor Lenman, a director and multi-instrumentalist who worked on the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony, has reinterpreted French classical composer Maurice Ravel's works in his new album, "Ravel Recomposed." Lenman uses a live orchestra, electronic machines, and collaborations with pop artists like Ra Red Car (formerly Christine and the Queens) to offer new perspectives on Ravel's music. He specifically mentions Ra Red Car's vocal contribution to "Bolero." Lenman expresses his admiration for Ravel and his childhood connection to classical music, hinting at a potential future reconnection with classical music himself.

Young Bloodood and Aerosmith Collaboration

The segment concludes with a mention of a collaboration between rising punk-pop star Young Bloodood and rock legends Aerosmith. They have released a joint EP titled "One More Time," featuring the track "My Only Angel."

Synthesis and Conclusion

Anise's interview provides a deep dive into her artistic process, the thematic richness of her album "Devotion and the Black Divine," and her commitment to using music and visuals for powerful storytelling and social commentary. Her personal journey, her connection to nature, and her admiration for figures like bell hooks all converge to shape her unique artistic identity. The segment also highlights the vibrant and diverse landscape of contemporary music, from established stars like Aya Nakamura to innovative reinterpretations of classical works by Victor Lenman, and exciting collaborations like that of Young Bloodood and Aerosmith. Anise's emphasis on authenticity, vulnerability, and the spiritual dimension of live performance promises a compelling experience for her audiences.