Athens, Georgia based rapper, activist, and local politician Mariah Parker, a.k.a Linqua Franqa, is on a mission to destroy apathy. The hard-hitting lyrics on their new album, Bellringer, touch on everything from capitalism, mental health, and racism, to graphic moments of violent injustice. During our live SXSW broadcast from Studio 6a, Linqua Franqa told the story of Latasha Harlins, a young African-American girl who was fatally shot by a liquor store owner in 1991, just 13 days after the videotaped beating of Rodney King. The event that inspired the album’s title track and serves as a chilling example of the enduring wounds of racial violence.
Despite the sometimes serious subject matter, Linqua Franqa brings an infectious energy to all their performances and it’s obvious Parker is doing what they love most: singing, rapping, and being an advocate for those whose voices have not been heard. During our live SXSW broadcasts, Linqua Franqa blessed us with the title track to their new album, Bellringer, released today, April 22 via Ernest Jenning Record Company. Watch it here and be sure to check out the full album on Bandcamp.
Credits: Producer: Deidre Gott; Engineers: Jake Perlman, Rene Chavez; Cameras: Gabriel C. Pérez, Michael Minasi, Patricia Lim; Audio Mix: Rene Chavez; Video Edit: Gabriel C. Pérez
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