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Crosstown Arts presents Lukah in The Green Room.

The Green Room at Crosstown Arts
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Doors open at 7 pm | Show begins at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $20

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Permanently Blackface is Lukah’s furious, visionary indictment of the American state of exception, presented with unforgettable vocal delivery and haunting instrumentals produced by “The Usual Suspects”. For a special one-night engagement, Lukah will perform the new album for the first and only time in its entirety. Accompanied by a live jazz band, this will be a special opportunity to experience Permanently Blackface the way the artist intended: in one sitting, with undivided attention directed at its narrator. Witness the bold, fearless inversion of minstrel tradition in this poignant commentary on the Black Experience. 

Introducing himself as Mr. Blackface, Lukah identifies the true artist’s responsibility to hold a mirror to the listener in order to confront and disarm taboos. In both content and music, the record balances vulgarity and introspection, the horror of silence, and the comfort of colossal, discordant sound. Over 12 songs the celestial, often blood-soaked color palette of soul and R&B that gave emotional weight to previous masterworks Why Look Up, Gods in The Mirror and Raw Extractions has been scraped away like a charred skeleton. With a small cast of voices consisting entirely of Lukah’s immediate family, and production duties handled in-house by WALZ, Deener, Hollow Sol, Cities Aviv, SB11, and Lukah himself, the record has the intimacy of a theater production.

This performance will be filmed.

Lukah

Lukah has set himself apart as a powerful voice in Memphis hip-hop. Whatever the format—whether it’s through sellout records, acclaimed locally in The Commercial Appeal and nationally in NPR, Bandcamp Daily, and The New York Times; commanding live performances that have won audiences in The United States and Europe; or on the big screen in his three visual collaborations with Studio 143, all selected by the Indie Memphis Film Festival—Lukah is a undeniable giant of deep, meaningful storytelling. Back from his first international headlining tour and a recent performance opening for Noname, Lukah continues to push the envelope and challenge himself creatively by preparing this bold concert.

Opening act and accompanied by live jazz quintet Hope Clayburn’s Soul Scrimmage.

Soul-Jazz-Funk sax player and vocalist Hope Clayburn is on a mission to move the people. Her unique style has allowed her to perform with an eclectic mix of artists around the world, including The Temptations, The Allman Brothers Band, and Valerie June. Hope can be found in Memphis, TN recording and performing with a variety of bands like Lucky 7 Brass Band, Frog Squad, Marcella Simien and Obruni Danceband She has her own funk soul ensemble HOPE CLAYBURN’S SOUL SCRIMMAGE performing her original music. Their new single and music video NOBODY is out now on YouTube and look out for their new album and vinyl record Y’ALL SO LOUD coming this December with the album release party on Saturday December 16 at The Green Room at Crosstown Arts.