logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
28m 18s

The Mythical Black Artist™

Ismatu Gwendolyn
About this episode

Otherwise entitled, “Everybody wanna be Nina Simone; don’t nobody wanna sing Mississippi Goddam.” In which ismatu gwendolyn, writer and public scholar, unpacks our collective desire for artists that reflect the times (and holds up a persistent and unforgiving mirror).


The full transcript can be viewed at threadings.io.

Up next
Aug 2025
a letter on metacognition [ft. a social experiment]
having the most delicious caramel pu'erh. 
22m 52s
Aug 2025
the strip club did indeed make me bonkers!
In which ismatu gwendolyn, public servant, recounts the praxis they got from their local strippery in regards to the acquisition and distribution of US dollar bills. Full transcript available at https://www.threadings.io/the-strip-club-did-indeed-make-me-bonkers/ 
45m 17s
Jul 2025
The Financial Transparency Meeting but Instead of Showing Graphs I Yell
In which ismatu Gwendolyn, budding revolutionary, reminds everyone (once again) that their goal is NOT a life where they are individually comfortable! Sign up to support them financially at threadings.io:https://www.threadings.io/the-financial-transparency-meeting-but-i-yell-inst ... Show More
29m 48s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2024
Nell Irvin Painter
Throughout her prolific writing career, Nell Irvin Painter has published works on such luminaries as Sojourner Truth, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Malcolm X. Her unique vantage on American history pushes the boundaries of personal narrative and academic authorship and asks readers to ... Show More
1h 14m
Feb 2021
Her-Story 2021
A socio-conscious tribute to the strength & beauty of the Black Woman. 
1h 37m
Feb 2021
February 18, 2021: Nina Simone, Singer-Songwriter
Today’s quote comes from a song of the High Priestess of Soul, Nina Simone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
2m 46s
Nov 2024
No Snakes (Reprise)
“I wish you could know what it means to be me.” —Nina SimoneFeaturing, in order of appearance: Mathieu Bitton, Radio Rahim, Mo Amer, Michael Che, Michelle Wolf, Cipha SoundsContains audio clips of Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and Nina Simone, and music from Nina Simone, Brittany Howard, an ... Show More
27m 2s
Mar 2024
Nina Simone | To Be Young, Gifted and Black | 2
Nina Simone's star is rising - however cracks in her personal life are starting to show. Meanwhile, the civil rights movement is catching up with her. Where does she stand in the midst of this? And will she be on the right side of history?Join Legacy+ for bonus episodes, early ac ... Show More
47m 37s
Oct 2023
Rhiannon Giddens
The Grammy award-winning American singer sits down with Andrew Mueller to discuss her remarkable career and mission to highlight the untold stories of people who have contributed to musical history in the US. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
31m 59s
Jun 2022
How Black girls can reclaim their voice in music | Kyra Gaunt
How does music shape us? Digital ethnomusicologist and TED Fellow Kyra Gaunt studies how Black girls can preserve the integrity of their own voices while listening, dancing and singing to pop songs largely engineered by men, often with lyrics that express anti-Black, patriarchal ... Show More
7m 26s
May 2021
The Artist's Voice
Art not only spreads joy, but also inspires us to think deeply about the world around us. This hour, TED speakers explore how dance, poetry, and film can shift beliefs and empower creative expression. Guests include choreographer Camille A. Brown, director Jon M. Chu, and poets A ... Show More
49m 53s
Jun 2021
The emotional cost of being a Black woman in America
Monica Johnson is a social justice educator who uses the legacy of Billie Holiday’s world renowned performance of “Strange Fruit” to expose the world to the true struggle of being a Black woman in America. This talk was filmed at TEDxBloomington. All TEDx events are organized ind ... Show More
8m 25s