ARTIST STATEMENT
I’ve grown frustrated with the desensitization of systemic racism, and uninspired by the traditional fight for Black liberation.
I merge urban contemporary sounds, visual storytelling, and imaginative speculation to investigate complex racial, educational, and gender equity related issues impacting Black communities.
Daydreams of Black freedom visit my mind often, and prompt my obsession to produce artistic pathways that may expedite our journey toward Black liberation.
I seek to spark authentic and solution-oriented dialogue by creating an unconventional lens into intricate topics centering the Black lived experience.
Sincerely,
The Liberation Music Maker
"WE GONNA GET FREE OR DIE TRYING."
- DEAD PREZ
WE KEEP US SAFE
ONRAE LATEAL leads the award-winning DMV-based group of artist activists Freedom Futures Collective, to produce their debut project We Keep Us Safe. The project highlights the nationwide DEFUND THE POLICE campaign through an immersive audio-visual album experience.
Featuring a series of original freedom songs, short films and music videos, We Keep Us Safe spotlights abolitionists, artist activists and social justice organizations in Washington, DC fighting to build a future that prioritizes community safety.
This project was made possible by the Open Society Foundations.
THE BLACK JOY EXPERIENCE
ONRAE LATEAL collaborates with the national Black youth led organization, Black Youth Project 100 to produce The Black Joy Experience, a musical compilation of freedom songs and liberation messages.