With so much of the world’s attention focused on the war in Ukraine, it’s easy to lose sight of all the tragedies happening elsewhere. Which is sort of indicative of life in general, right? No matter how aware and empathetic we try to be to the plight of others, there’s so much that we miss and overlook. It is incumbent, then, upon all of us to embrace causes that mean something to us and fight like hell for them. For artists, this often means creating works that are used in service to a larger message.
Enter Kawan Moore, who writes and records under the moniker Hommeboy. The Atlanta vocalist and musician has been hard at work on their sophomore EP, Era of Good Feelings, and has decided to donate the proceeds of new single “This One” to help with the conflict in Tigray. Widely considered a flash point in Ethiopia and the broader region, the fighting between government forces and Tigrayan rebels has left thousands dead and forced millions from their homes. For Hommeboy, the release of “This One” is an opportunity to bring attention to the famine and suffering that have followed as a result of the bloodshed.
“In the midst of all that’s happening in the world, war and chaos—music will always be our peace,” says Moore. “I love this song, but the visual and site are what really brings the story to life. It reminds me that there’s always something to fight for in every era, and music is activism. I’m excited to paint the full picture of Era of Good Feelings. A movement always starts with one.”
As for the single, it’s a blissful jolt of positivity that leans into Hommeboy’s predilection for soulful pop and house-infused hip-hop. “I know what you’ve been waiting for / You’ve been waiting on me,” he sings over a mercurial beat buoyed by jaunty synths. Were it not for his announcement, you likely wouldn’t peg “This One” as a social or political statement. What it is, however, is a song of solidarity and inclusivity. Directed by Kevin Wall of S2S Productions, the accompanying video takes up this mantle by presenting Hommeboy as a seventies-era artist working on his craft. Although he spends much of his time alone in his bedroom conjuring up new lyrics and sounds, he finds camaraderie and support from his friends on the front stoop. The period outfits and decor might infuse the clip with a whiff of nostalgia, but for Hommeboy, the message is one that aims to resonate with today’s diverse culture and people from every walk of life, especially the misunderstood and marginalized.
“‘This One’ is for all people,” he explains. “Yes, for the ‘ballers on rodeo’ but it’s also for the homeless on Moreland Avenue. ‘This One’ is for black and brown people everywhere, from Ukraine to Atlanta. ‘This One’ is for my LGBTQ artists who refuse to be boxed in, and my trans brothers and sisters worldwide. ‘This One’ is for the past, present, and future. ‘This One’ is for you. ‘This One’ is for us.”
Watch/listen above.
More Info
Web: hommeboyraps.univer.se
Bandcamp: hommeboy.bandcamp.com
Instagram: @homme.boy
SoundCloud: @heyhommeboy
Twitter: @heyhommeboy