feature: neale hurston releases rebellious ‘haute boheme’ ep

We’ve been greatly anticipating the release of LGBT hip-hop artist Neale Hurston’s ‘Haute Boheme’ EP.  The rapper (formerly known as Tango Pi), outgrew his prentice cocoon and emerged from it a bewitching, valorous butterfly. On the birthday of one of his biggest artistic inspirations, Zora Neale Hurston, decided to release his brand new 9 track ‘Haute Boheme’ EP. And although it may well have slipped under many a music fans radar, Haute Boheme is an otherworldly merging of African cultivation and anomalous synths. You should definitely give it a listen. Neale Hurston boldly states to AFROPUNK: “It’s time to bring art back into hip hop. Create open hearts, not the machine…”

By Ayara Pommells, AFROPUNK Contributor

First track ‘Bohemian Dream’ kicks off with an Egyptian prayer (from the rappers Khemetic studies) before smoothly transitioning to ‘Stone Henge’ addresses both cultural and societal ills.  Drawing from his Khemetic influences as well as popular cultural references, Neale Hurston also released three promo videos to accompany the project, making the compilation a multi-sensual delight. You can view them all below.

Northern Star

“Northern Star is a song about direction. Navigating through the streets. Cola is actually the producer of the track.”

Africa Star

“African Star is a display of where music came from. The drums. The chants. The original source of strength. Rebel music. Get hype music. Art!” *Laughs*

Children Of The Bass

“Children Of The Bass was made for the “kids” my fellow gays… *Laughs* we need a song that would make us rise up.  Children Of The Bass is a song you have to stop and listen to the words because they’re there for the listener’s empowerment…”

The entire project delves deep into the mindset of Hurston, his unabashed lyrical delivery proves that Neale Hurston is a startlingly honest artisan who never pussy foots around his point. Haute Boheme is an EP with purpose.

Stream the project in full below. You can also head to Bandcamp and purchase the EP – naming your own price.

* Follow Neale Hurston on Twitter @NealeHurston

Ayara Pommells is Owner of UK website Rawroots.com and a music writer for Soultrain.com, SOHH.com & AFROPUNK.com. PR for SomeOthaShip Connect and 88DaysOfFortune. Follow @YahYahNah.