Led by Rufus John, United Artists 4 Change released a powerful EP titled “The Freedom Marching Project”
By: Bashair Ali
United Artists 4 Change, Inc., marketed by Urban X Entertainment, a division of TuneCore, Inc., 2022 (via YouTube)
Over the course of 18 months, Rufus John and a team of incredibly talented Black and racialized artists, musicians and producers around Canada took part in the creation of The Freedom Marching Project — a three-song EP that allows its listeners to get informed, stay connected and join the march.
The music videos of parts one and two were released earlier this month, which incorporated visuals of police brutality, racial injustices and BLM protests.
At first, the EP was intended only for John, but then his team challenged themselves to contact as many people as possible and find out how many artists in their community would be interested in contributing. Soon enough, the choir, his friends from the community and even people who did not know him became involved.
"I found space for everyone to participate and didn't reject anyone," says John.
John uses the art of singing and songwriting to express the message that racism still exists, hoping that people will respond to the issue through donations, voting or simply just seeking out knowledge.
The recurring theme throughout the EP is honesty. John wants his viewers and listeners to be able to resonate with the lyrics and illustrations by portraying similar experiences and being vulnerable. "If you have a story about this topic, then there are probably hundreds of other Black [people] that have experienced the same thing," says John.
Freedom Marching part one introduces characters of different ages, races and classes. Its main plot centres around a protest sparked by unjust treatment towards a 14-year-old boy who was unlawfully detained. Part two shows us how and why the young boy's arrest occurred.
"The whole point of this platform is to use art, activism and education to spark people to get into this fight," says John.
Both music videos feature the personal stories and feelings John encountered at one point in his life. The only difference was that he lacked the tools to combat discrimination, such as approaching his community for help. Instead, he bottled everything up and never repeated it, up until his vision for the music videos came about.
"I was angry when I was younger, and as I got older, I learned that there are people that are here for you," he notes.
So in creating the EP, along with a resourceful website that contains relevant resources and information for those interested in learning more about #JoinTheMarch, he strived for Black individuals to use the project to help them navigate their lives.
“If you have something you can stand on and people are watching and listening, say something,” says John. He feels that his role in society is to be of service and the way he contributes to it is through his music.
John's technique for creating music is not the only factor that leaves his listeners in awe; it's what he writes about that has the ability to connect with people like him. "I'm the bridge between the young and old, the catalyst for change, the kid next door, and I approach all my music that way."
The Freedom Marching Project carries a selection of songs that takes a whole new step into advocating for equity, access, diversity, inclusion and participation of Black and other underrepresented communities. Through his work, John presents his expression of art in an effort to create social change and challenge anti-Black institutions and ideologies.