Necessary doses of pan-Africanism: Esperanza Spalding’s “Black Gold”

It’s not too late to take your vitamins. And this. Jazz bass player and bandleader Esperanza Spalding, who defeated Bieber nation last year, takes on school curriculum and Black History Month with the song “Black Gold,” the single from her album “Radio Music Society.” She gets some help from vocalist Algebra Blessett. We’ll forgive the little boy for going on about Africa has “86 countries.” A more pressing issue: Where can I get that book the dad is flipping through? And that’s your #MusicBreak.

Further Reading

On the pitch

This year, instead of taking a publishing break, we will be covering the African Cup of Nations. To transition, we consider why football still matters in an era of enclosure, mediated presence, and thinning publics.