A lot of important conversations have happened this year, sparked by tragic catalysts. When we’re working through painful times and striving toward a future that doesn’t hurt, art can be such an invaluable resource, and Emanuel‘s “Black Woman” is truly a work of art. An ode to the overlooked and a celebration of indomitable spirit, “Black Woman” is a beautiful, haunting ballad that says, “I see you, I recognize you, I appreciate you and I love you”.
Watch Emanuel’s “Black Woman” video directed by Jamar Harding:
For as striking as “Black Woman”‘s lyrics and accompanying video are, it’s Emanuel‘s singing that elevates the innate poetry of the whole experience to incredible heights. There’s so much purity and freedom to his performance that it reminds you exactly what a boundless instrument the human voice can be. Paired with the vignettes of the women in this Jamar Harding directed video, “Black Woman” is able to go to all of the places that words alone often can’t reach.
What did I do to deserve you?
Why do I always desert you?
How do you feel when they don’t feel for you?
How do you love when they don’t love you back?
Alongside this single, Emanuel also launched the “Black Woman” portrait series, highlighting five influential black women from Toronto’s artistic and advocacy communities. There are great songs and there are important songs, and Emanuel has certainly made one that is both.
Lyrics
Black Woman Cocoa butter kisses, wipe my tears away I wanna feel you like cold water dripping down my face I wanna fly high like the stars that I see Like the birds in the sky, like the birds in the sky How do you reconcile, rectify, free your mind Bondage, they have me in shackles How do you smile when you got nothing to smile about How do you love when you got no one coming back to the house Black woman, sometimes Sad woman, but all of the time She’s a queen from another place, why are you so displaced She’s a goddess walking on earth baby Superwoman, power comes from the sun Lovely woman, my only one Mother of creation, all the nations sing your praise without knowing Black woman, sometimes Sad woman, but all of the time She’s a queen from another place, why are you so displaced She’s a goddess walking on earth baby How do you love, how do you love the way you do What did I do to deserve you Why do I always desert you How do you feel when they don’t feel for you How do you love when they don’t love you back Woman, sometimes (How do you love, how do you love the way you do) How do you love, how do you love the way you do How do you love, how do you love the way you do Black Woman
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