Maya Angelou’s Grandson Will Drop A Rap Album Inspired By Her
There's no denying the impact and influence Dr. Maya Angelou had on the world through her uncanny wisdom, admirable strength and powerful words. On May 28, the famed poet and author passed away at the age of 86, leaving behind an unforgettable legacy. In order to once again honor Angelou, her grandson, Colin Johnson, announced he will be releasing a thirteen-track hip hop album titled Caged Bird Songs.
"I don't know that they ever have picked up a book of poetry without it being assigned by either me or their school," he said of his children. "To hear somebody that is so famous for her poetry and her message, and then set to some music that you can enjoy definitely feels like this is something that can continue her reach through generations."
The title of the book references one of Angelou's most notable pieces of work, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (1969). The album will feature pre-recorded vocals of Angelou mixed with newly written material specifically chosen for this project. According to an interview Johnson did with the Associated Press, Angelou completely supported the concept of the album and believed hip-hop to be a significant way for today's generation to convey messages.
"Grandma loved it from the beginning," Colin A. Johnson said of the album's concept. "These guys were inspired by grandma's work, which many people are, and felt like giving it a different medium of delivery to make it more obtainable to a larger group of people."
Caged Bird Songs was produced by Shawn Rivera and RoccStarr. The album is expected to be released on Nov. 4 through Smooch Music.
Previously: Common Writes Tribute Letter In Honor Of Maya Angelou
15 Hip Hop Songs That Name Drop Maya Angelou
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