Often times Hollywood and pop culture images of Black fathers are in a negative light, with the positive aspects often ignored or glazed over. Stereotypes of criminals, deadbeats or sperm donors dominate the narrative. The many men setting great examples, raising their sons and daughters as single fathers, co-parenting or in a nuclear family are rarely praised.
Keeping that awareness at the forefront is poet, activist and three-time Apollo Theatre showcase champion Messiah Ramkissoon. His lead single “Black Fathers” from his forthcoming release The Eye of Freedom is powerful and refreshing.
Shot in black and white, the visuals perfectly help paint the picture from Messiah’s potent lyricism, showing a father playing basketball with his sons, reading to them and picking them up from their mother’s place with the kids running into their father’s arms. Messiah’s lyrics truly come to life alongside the video.
Sharp, vivid and straight to the point he delivers lines like, “Birthed from the Black essence / So it’s unnatural for a Black father to lack presence / there to provide lessons / when babies ask questions / that got ’em through imperfections / doubts and transgressions.”
If “Black Fathers” is any indication of what type of content and message The Eye of Freedom has to offer, Messiah Ramkissoon will have a lot of ears, eyes and minds open eager for more.
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