VASHTIE

Back in July 2016, I made a mixtape titled “This Machine Kills Racism”.

At the time, I was overwhelmed with all that was happening and had been happening in the world, specifically in my beloved homeland of America.

I think many of you can identify with me when I say that I felt wildly helpless and hopeless…and still do.

I was sitting around wondering when our highly regarded celebrities, musicians and influencers would do something powerful…which made me realize, that I didn’t have to wait when I have my own voice and my own platform.

Making this mixtape was cathartic for me and I hoped it would be the same for others…

I also hoped it would inspire everyone to use their own voice and platform as therapy for themselves and as inspiration for others as well.

Back when I debuted this mixtape, I created some visuals to support it that I only shared on my Periscope and my Snapchat. After this past week, I decided to upload it to Vimeo.

Here it is…

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(Original Post via July 13th 2016)

“Shocked. Disillusioned. Heartbroken. Angry. Disgusted.

I’ve been feeling this way for a while now, but – the incidents that surfaced in the past week have had me feeling these emotions (and more) to the maximum. I didn’t post much on social media in regards to this because I needed to sit with my feelings. And, as an artist – I really wanted to create something for people in a more meaningful manner.

I am, among other things, a DJ. And, like everyone else – music inspires, expresses and consoles me. I created this mixtape because I wanted…needed, rather, to share my feelings during these turbulent times. I hope this is as cathartic for you to listen to as it was for me in creating it.

In the very least, I hope it will entertain you but I truly wish that this mixtape will spark thoughts, conversations and solutions.”

“This Machine Kills Racism” Tracklist
Billie Holiday – Strange Fruit
Kanye West – Blood On The Leaves
Michael Jackson – They Don’t Care About Us
U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday
Public Enemy – Fight The Power
KRS One – Black Cop
The Clash – Guns of Brixton
Sinead O’ Connor – Black Boys On Mopeds
Joey Bada$$ – Like Me
Tupac – Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto
Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On
James Brown – Say It Loud, I’m Black & I’m Proud
Kendrick Lamar – Alright
Jane Elliott – On White Privilage
Gil Scott Heron – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Bob Dylan – Times They Are Changin
Nina Simone – Mississippi Goddamn
Saul Williams – Amthyst Rocks
Public Enemy – Public Enemy No. 1
Genesis – Land of Confusion
Tears for Fears – Shout
Woody Guthrie – This Land Is Your Land