“Recognizing our power as individuals is essential to recognizing our power as a collective.” – Bobby Vaillant
What themes did you tackle to convey that message?
This whole album started with meditation, talking with nature, soaking up the sunshine and being around things that I hadn't been around before. Put yourself in a space that you haven't put yourself in before. When I'm exposed to the sun's rays, I feel a surge of energy and am charged with energy, and when I felt that, I remembered something. Like winning MOBO or watching So Solid Crew on TV as a kid and thinking, “If they can do it, so can I.''It's a recognition of power – the power that I have, and the power that they have as well, and that's something I held onto for years until I was on stage with Bob to accept the award. is [drums]. We were able to achieve these things only through positive thinking and positive actions.
Recent single “The Hunger Games” feels like a great example, tackling very prescient issues while ending with a message of hope.
In The Hunger Games, we talk about this cost of living crisis and the deprivation that everyone feels. It's no coincidence that it was released right after Christmas, a time when no one has any money. But the song ends with the affirmation, “You are here.” you now. That's what I'm talking about. That's what drags me out of bed. I have the power within myself to make myself happy, and the only thing I can control is my reaction to the world around me.
What do you hope people take away from this album when they finish listening to it?
I hope people feel inspired and empowered. When people are stripped of their sense of power, we see how it destroys the individual, community, and collective spirit. Recognizing our power as individuals is essential to recognizing our power as a collective. And I hope people remember that when they reach the end of the album.
“Humble as the Sun” will be released on April 5th.