Ziggy Ramo drops powerful timely full length album Black Thoughts |
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Hip Hop artist Ziggy Ramo drops powerful and timely new album Black Thoughts last week, coinciding with the Black Lives Matter protests across the globe.
As it happens the Black Thoughts album was written 5 years but is still acutely relevant in today's climate. Tragically, it seems, not much has changed in society's treatment of black people and, in this specific example, the Aboriginal people of Australia.
Now is no better time than ever for Ramo to drop his fervent criticism of the Australian government and the Australian people's blatant and unashamedly cruel treatment, but also silent volition, of the Nation's First People.
The content on the album's 16-song long tracklist frankly highlights just some of the atrocious circumstances and reporting in the media on and surrounding Aboriginals. Merely scratching the surface on an issue that runs deep into Australia's history and the people's psyche, the album samples media coverage on the 2016 blackface scandal involving West Coast Eagles player Nic Naitanui, abhorrent reporting back in the 80's on Western Australian mining magnate Lang Hancock's suggestion of poisoning and sterilising Aboriginal people, and the vilifying of boxer Damien Hooper by the Australian media for his wish to wear an Aboriginal flag at his first Olympics in 2012.
If you or anyone you know has ever questioned the relevance of the Black Lives Matter movement in Australia and/or are under the assumption that racism does not exist in Australia (spoiler alert: it does you ignorant fuck!), then Ziggy Ramo's Black Thoughts is a worthy listen for you, in order to get educated. Ramo also touches on why there is now a discussion on wanting to change the date of Australia Day, the lack of respect and understanding shown to the generational struggle of the Indigenous Australians and the omission of Aboriginal history and the true story of Australia's discovery by Captain Cook from the Australian education system.
As it happens the Black Thoughts album was written 5 years but is still acutely relevant in today's climate. Tragically, it seems, not much has changed in society's treatment of black people and, in this specific example, the Aboriginal people of Australia.
Now is no better time than ever for Ramo to drop his fervent criticism of the Australian government and the Australian people's blatant and unashamedly cruel treatment, but also silent volition, of the Nation's First People.
The content on the album's 16-song long tracklist frankly highlights just some of the atrocious circumstances and reporting in the media on and surrounding Aboriginals. Merely scratching the surface on an issue that runs deep into Australia's history and the people's psyche, the album samples media coverage on the 2016 blackface scandal involving West Coast Eagles player Nic Naitanui, abhorrent reporting back in the 80's on Western Australian mining magnate Lang Hancock's suggestion of poisoning and sterilising Aboriginal people, and the vilifying of boxer Damien Hooper by the Australian media for his wish to wear an Aboriginal flag at his first Olympics in 2012.
If you or anyone you know has ever questioned the relevance of the Black Lives Matter movement in Australia and/or are under the assumption that racism does not exist in Australia (spoiler alert: it does you ignorant fuck!), then Ziggy Ramo's Black Thoughts is a worthy listen for you, in order to get educated. Ramo also touches on why there is now a discussion on wanting to change the date of Australia Day, the lack of respect and understanding shown to the generational struggle of the Indigenous Australians and the omission of Aboriginal history and the true story of Australia's discovery by Captain Cook from the Australian education system.
Ramo questions society's demonising of the shade black which has contributed to systematic racism, "why white pieces move first in chess? why is black the appropriate funeral dress?" and he also calls out the racist rhetoric placed on Aboriginal people, "tired of holding their hand and giving cars, I heard they get money from the government, so why they still struggling."
Not only is Black Thoughts dripping in Ramo's rich storytelling and powerful messages but it is coupled with beautifully crafted music that signifies the poignant and importance of his thoughts.
It is horrifying to think that this album was actually written 5 years ago and yet today in 2020 it is only MORE relevant and MORE needed. Ramo has said that he "never put [Black Thoughts] out because [he] knew as a country [Australia] weren’t ready to listen", it's seeming like now in June 2020 that Australia is maybe ready to listen and ready to drive change.
Ramo is an enlightened man and understands that he doesn't have the answers but sees Black Thoughts as "a starting point of continued conversation. A lot of you have been asking what you can do to support change during this time. You can start by listening.”
Follow Ziggy Ramo and his pivotal music through socials: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | Soundcloud
Also on Ramo's Linktree page you can find resources on Reconciliation and how to support the Blak / Aboriginal Lives Matter movement in Australia.
Written by Lee Vixen.
Not only is Black Thoughts dripping in Ramo's rich storytelling and powerful messages but it is coupled with beautifully crafted music that signifies the poignant and importance of his thoughts.
It is horrifying to think that this album was actually written 5 years ago and yet today in 2020 it is only MORE relevant and MORE needed. Ramo has said that he "never put [Black Thoughts] out because [he] knew as a country [Australia] weren’t ready to listen", it's seeming like now in June 2020 that Australia is maybe ready to listen and ready to drive change.
Ramo is an enlightened man and understands that he doesn't have the answers but sees Black Thoughts as "a starting point of continued conversation. A lot of you have been asking what you can do to support change during this time. You can start by listening.”
Follow Ziggy Ramo and his pivotal music through socials: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | Soundcloud
Also on Ramo's Linktree page you can find resources on Reconciliation and how to support the Blak / Aboriginal Lives Matter movement in Australia.
Written by Lee Vixen.
