Fantastic Negrito at The Lower Third would prove to be an event like I’d never been to before. Few artists have the ability to create such a layered evening dedicated both to historically unending world affairs and their own selfless musical soul. A man with a past which has seen him through living on the streets, signed to Interscope, losing all faith in the music industry before having that same dampened flame re-lightened, propelling him to where he is now. Three-time Grammy award winner, touring veteran and owner of Revolution Plantation, a farm dedicated to the education and empowerment of youth. It was time to get to know the man behind the words.
The evening starts with a screening of his recently released short film, ‘White Jesus, Black Problems’. Depicting the story of Negrito’s black enslaved grandfather and white Scottish grandmother (seven times removed) as they underwent the intense hardship and discrimination only a marital pairing such as this in 18th century America would go through. The 42-minute film is a musically vibrant journey featuring tracks from Negrito’s latest album (also titled White Jesus, Black Problems). Hip-busting numbers with a flavoursome troupe of dancers and actors alike you get a real sense of the work Negrito has created and the dedication to his fine art through his story-telling. ‘What is America’s obsession with freedom?’ His voice questions out from the screen as the endless visions of colours and varying scenery flash before our eyes. Even before we’ve seen him in the flesh you can tell this multi-million streamed man has style, is suave and has something to say in a way few have done before. From the get-go the overlaying theme of the night is freedom atop a plethora of fantastically strewn together outfits in an insatiably vibrant viewing. The film ends with eager applause from the audience before Fantastic Negrito himself takes to the stage.
“How’s everyone doing? Thank you for coming to my living room,” he welcomes us with warm humour. Me and (I could only assume everyone else in the room) relaxes into his easy approachability. Dressed in a fedora and a 70s style loosely sleeved pink shirt he opens the floor up to questions.
As usual, it only takes one question for the rest of the room to start raising their hands. Ancestry, the very prevalent touching upon freedom and Negrito’s surprising love for a good black pudding all come to fruition in a sized but intimate setting. It’s not just a Q&A but an honest, alleviating recounting of this worldly history and his. ‘White Jesus, Black Problems’ was created during the pandemic when Negrito’s digging into his past brought up this uniquely fascinating story after he discovered a picture of his ancestors featuring both white and black Americans both ‘dressed immaculately’. How this changed him as a person, how this inspired his art and what he hopes the story can bring to the world through the sheer courage and love of these people are both honest and illuminating. Humour, humility and accessibility are the simple terms I would use to describe Fantastic Negrito. Any chance you get to see, question and listen to this man is highly recommended.
‘I don’t know if I could have been a painter but I could put a song together. I’m not a musician, I’m an artist.’
From losing all faith and interest in the music industry to being discovered by the late Chris Cornell after performing on the streets, Negrito is a story of true artistry prevailing. ‘The more spirituality with music the better’.
After a good half hour of chatting away to his audience, Fantastic Negrito is joined onstage by keys key player Bryan C. Simmons as he himself picks up an acoustic guitar and dives into the set.
Pausing only once mid-set to take out some money and say to those talking in the audience, ‘I will pay you your ticket back to leave if you wanna talk in this show’ (to which the crowd cheers and the talkers swiftly shut up) it’s a delightfully enthralling stripped back – but never toned down – play through. Featuring songs from the latest album, ‘Highest Bidder’, ‘Betty’ and a gorgeously strung out version of ‘Night Has Turned To Day’ it oozes musical excellence.
A cover of the old American folk song “In the Pines” (also known as “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?”, “My Girl” and “Black Girl”) is brilliant as Simmons owns the piano solo instrumental breaks and Negrito’s physical theatrics spring forth from the lyrics.
‘Lost In A Crowd’ from his 2017 album ‘The Last Days of Oakland’ proves to be an audience favourite (That’s what makes the world go round/When you spend your money and come). The back and forth repertoire with his audience is constant. ‘Venomous Dogma’ is as soothingly good as Negrito is on his guitar before the last song is played.
Finishing the show as he does the album with ‘Virginia Soil’ it’s a bittersweet moment as this all-round evening of entertainment and inquisitive conversations comes to an end.
As mentioned before, Fantastic Negrito had said he was an ‘artist not a musician’. Not an ounce of doubt in the truth of that sentence is left after he leaves us with a delightful feeling of an evening more than well spent. Untamed emotion poured it into every syllabus and guitar strum. But it’s the night in its entirety that makes it stand out. If you get a chance, grab those Fantastic Negrito tickets. I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
Review: Monty Sewell
Photography: Tony Giannattasio
FEBRUARY 2023
5th – Glasgow, Old Fruitmarket (Celtic Connections show)
6th – Manchester, Deaf Institute
7th – London, The Lower Third
8th – London, The Lower Third
9th – Berlin, Babylon Kino
11th – Paris, Cafe de la Danse
13th – Rotterdam, LantarenVenster
15th – Torino, Cinema Massimo
16th – Prato, Il Garibaldi
17th – Napoli, Teatro Bolivar
18th – Bari, Teatro Kismet
19th – Cesena, Teatro Verdi / acielocoperto
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