(September 30, 2020) Russell Taylor is a SoulTracks favorite who has blessed us with music that blurs lines between dance, rock, funk, soul and hip-hop. His vocal range allows him to easily handle ballads and up-tempo dance tunes. Now, Taylor, like so many of his musical peers, has decided to use his gifts to raise awareness about what is at stake in this most consequential year.
Taylor has released the video for his new song “Wake Up” in a collaborative effort with the Poor People’s Campaign of Massachusetts. Taylor has been working with that group on a variety of initiatives, but especially voter education, registration and mobilization for the upcoming election.
“Wake Up” is inspired by all that has happened in our country over the last few years, but particularly the killings of Black men and women by police and vigilante violence and the pandemic that has taken a disproportionate toll on people of color. Russell Taylor fans will hear a lot that is familiar in this song, from his soaring vocals to an arrangement that moves from gospel, to soul to rock.
The imagery in this video is powerful, as is the message that comes from a people who are tired but definitely not weary. Check out the video here.
By Howard Dukes
Russell Taylor – “Wake Up”
