Twin Cities Mix 1
A Write-Up by Maddy Melloy
Hey there,
Thank you for taking a moment of your time to be here and listen to this music.
With our collective efforts in the fight for justice, we took a pause on creative projects at TRASH MAG in order to take action in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Now, as we look to the future and the need to advocate for systemic change in our everyday lives, I want to use this newfound platform as a music journalist to holistically amplify musicians and artists from the Twin Cities.
As I write to you from Minneapolis, the unjust death of George Floyd and countless other Black lives at the hands of police brutality has deeply affected our community. With young Black organizers leading the way, a revolution for justice has echoed across the world. Minneapolis is making strides in reimagining a community built on inherently anti-capitalist support and safety.
While we celebrate the progress of the movement, it is essential that we keep up this momentum. This work will look different for everyone as we consider where our voices, interests, and talents lie. As a white music journalist occupying space on the web, I want to hold myself accountable to this standard. I’m dedicated to learn more and share a representational history of music – especially local – as the foundation of the ‘Minneapolis Sound’ was rooted in Black, queer expression from Prince and many of his contemporaries.
In order to address the local music scene in the Twin Cities, it’s important to acknowledge both its beauties and shortcomings. As a city known for cultivating strong support for its local artists, this same support must be extended in full to Black musicians. This looks like advocating for paid gigs for Black musicians at venues and shows, purchasing albums & merch, and crediting Black artists where credit is due. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but here is where I started to better understand how to support Black creative ecosystems, written & posted by New York based designer and poet Annika Hansteen-Izora.
With this in mind, I put together the first edition of the Twin Cities Mix featuring some of my favorite Black artists from Minneapolis & St. Paul. Some of the featured artists played a large role in the soundtrack of my years growing up in Minneapolis, while other artists I’ve been exposed to through DJing at Radio K. Many artists featured on this playlist have been on the frontlines protesting in Minneapolis as well as promoting change through their music. Non-black listeners and fans – we have to hold ourselves accountable in how we practice radical empathy and appreciate this creative labor. I hope to uphold these values through the Twin Cities Mix, as I continue to write and share a biweekly collection of music with you.
Across the Twin Cities and beyond, there are many artists to support as we continue along this long-term path of transformative justice. Take a moment to look through your own playlists and consider how you’re showing up for artists in your community. During this time, we’re prompted to think bigger but on a smaller scale. Whether it's rethinking community safety or shopping locally – why not shop local for your playlist? Continue to stream and support these artists through Bandcamp’s fundraiser for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund on Juneteenth, June 19th this Friday. If you’re looking for more places to donate, take a look through the many Twin Cities Black-led arts organizations paving the way for young creativity.
And as always, if you found yourself digging a track on the playlist, make sure to stream, share & tag the artist!
Thanks for tuning in,
Maddy Melloy
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See below for tracklist and playlist.
