The Story Of Everything featuring Chuck D, Gary Clark Jr & Andra Day
The Story Of Everything featuring Chuck D, Gary Clark Jr & Andra Day
“The Story of Everything” was born out of a feeling of frustration with the state of affairs in America at this moment in time. As a single mother, I feel a responsibility to my children to speak to the urgent issues that are shaping the world they will inherit from us through my music. I felt that so much hope accompanied our first black President into office, but that hope turned into fear and division. My old friend Chuck D has been speaking to the history of racial struggle and inequality in his music for decades. Chuck and I got to know each other around 1994, in the Rock the Vote days. He is one of the most important poets of our day. And Gary Clark Jr, who plays guitar on the track, has risen to make his own fierce musical and social statements. Back in 2009, Gary came in to audition for my 100 Miles From Memphis tour, and it was evident from the second he plugged in his guitar that he had a bigger destiny than being just a sideman.
I heard Andra Day’s incredible song “Rise Up” on the radio and asked her to sing on “Story” because when you hear her singular voice, you BELIEVE what she’s saying. Also adding the funk to this track is the great Greg Phillinganes, who has been a dear friend for ages and who spent many an hour teaching me his philosophy to writing musical hooks. Deep love and gratitude to Greg! “Threads” is out August 30th!