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Audio: The Black Opera X yU "Black Superstar"

Lenny Kravitz, Grace Jones, Lauryn Hill, Lion Babe, Thundercat, SZA & More Rock The Afropunk Festival 2015 in Brooklyn, NY.black-superstar

What we love most about the enigmatic Black Opera collective is that they combine their thorough knowledge of counter-cultural discourse with undeniably dope music. On this joint, they jump on a blaxploitation-nod courtesy of yU, which goes along nicely with their message about the ambiguity of black superstardom, most pointedly expressed in their own words:

The Black Superstar has always been a paradox in American Culture. African-Americans, and many racialized ‘others’, have for a long time held this odd allure as naturally cool, while at the same time suffering the effects of a body that is instantly criminalized. This is a dangerous duality that can serve as simultaneous impetus and hindrance. This polarization drives an ill collaboration between yU and the mysterious Black Opera, hosted by Mello Music Group.

Grab the free download via Bandcamp.