#Feature_The Romantic Movement
2012. No flying cars yet but over hundreds of television
channels controlled by one small dial. Mad media spewing all sorts of pre-apocalyptic
mess and sex- sex with many, sex without regard, sex without love. The youth
soaks up this trendy debauchery through their eardrums, music is our savior and
the only gospel we adhere to. We’re in the midst of cultural anarchy caused by commercialized
rap warlords with their video girl mercinaries and soul-less pop djs armed with
the crudest techno-boards. The situation yearns for a white knight- an artist that
pursues pure streams of inspiration and releases genuine, uplifting works of
art. Jesse Boykins iii emerges as the new generation in a long standing league
of the spiritually inclined and sensual artists of the “neo-soul” genre such as
Dwele & Bilal.
His 2008 offering The
Beauty Created LP, was just that- beauty created. Calm guitar melodies and
massaging grooves laced with sensually probing lyrics it is the exploration of
a supreme love. Jesse makes opening up
seem effortless “I’m not the kind of man
to be afraid to say…hello, how’re you doing…come to my room” – a far cry
from the beckoning slurs of most urban hits, but instead, a trusting invitation
to intimacy. Fast forward just 3years later into the David Guetta era and you
might think he has “sold out” with Ways
of the Wayfarer. That is the phrase used to characterize transformation and
encapsulate it in a box of negativity. The sound has evolved to whimsical with
a dancing pulse and a kaleidoscope of influences (eccentricities I identified
with the likes of Little Dragon and Andre 3000). Factoring in the production
expertise of Travis Stewart aka Machine Drum, who is acclaimed to be the next
Timbaland, sees Jesse Boykins seizing the magic of each present moment and
unleashing a fresh and overwhelmingly positively charged sound wave.
In partnering up with the visionary talents of Melo X and a
group of musicians so fittingly known as The Romantic Movement and creating his
soon to be released project called Zulu
Guru, Jesse Boykins iii elaborates his vision and purpose – that of pushing
back the sonic boundaries of the constricted urban mind.
“The history of the ZuLu is one
rich with stories of royalty, valor and the warrior spirit. In an age of
creative freedom through the use of social networks, we have become warriors of
free expression. Never bound by the shackles of genre, we travel and shift
through musical landscapes, breaking down barriers in the process. Our approach
to music is similar to that of the spirited tribal warrior; conquering new land
as we travel the world winning wars through romance. “
Just like that, the glimmer of redemption to the world
returns. The reality of the disenfranchised spirits of the youth is cast aside
to open up the dreams of a vivacious rather than draining coexistence with each
other and life. Music of the nature of Jesse Boykins III in this day reminds us
to live for ourselves and love ourselves in our youth. It helps us repossess
our souls from all those idiot-boxes with the satellites on top, peacefully
liberating us from the watch of the sentinels of popular culture and trend.
(catch Jesse Boykins III in South Africa at the STRCRD festival in JHB on the 28th & 29th September)
-Fenix
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