Big Freedia, a music legend known as the Queen of New Orleans Bounce and featured in Beyonce’s “Formation” and Drake’s “Nice For What”, is enlightening and entertaining with the song “Ella Baker Shaker.” The song, a tribute to 1960’s civil rights activist Ella Baker, is not only a catchy, upbeat tune— it also raises awareness and prompts the listener to learn more about the song's focus. The video goes even deeper.
The video takes place primarily in a classroom, in which attentive Black students are being taught about radical Black historical figures. As the camera angles change, we are seemingly put into the role of student, as wer're instructed through song by teachers Big Freedia and Jonathan Lykes.
Filled with Black faces, the video is uplifting and wise in its message and representation. It is both encouraging to hear about strong Black figures and critical to have this education in a space in which it is frequently ignored. The song and its video are, as Big Freedia explains in the same press release, a recognition of “who came before us.
“Ella Baker Shaker” is the lead single on Lykes’ upcoming album The Black Joy Experience Vol. 2: Comrade, featuring Black and LGBTQ+ artists, intends to “[carry] on the aim for social justice that our ancestors started.” The full album is available this March, but you can click here to preorder.Dakotah Jennifer is a senior at WashU who is ready to graduate. She started creative writing at eight and has loved it ever since.
Tags: big freedia , jonathan lykes , ella baker , The Black Joy Experience Vol. 2: Comrade , music video premiere , music video , Big Freedia