Fela Anikulapo Kuti said, "Music must awaken people to do their duty as citizens and act." Further, he said, "With my music, I create change . . . I am using my music as a weapon." Those words, for me, are truly inspiring and motivating to drop the mic right now and create!  There is no question that songs like Zombie; I.T.T. (International Thief Thief); Sorrow, Blood and Tears; and Water Get No Enemy, and many others were not only political but weaponized.  Not only the lyrics of these songs but the rhythm and pulse of Fela's Afrobeat, sax solos and the cadence with which Fela delivered the lyrics raised the vibration, being deliberate and intentional.  Fela's music stands out as defining music as a weapon.  

And in this episode, I will not only talk about my political art but also highlight the potent  and impactful works of Faith Ringgold and Elizabeth Catlett.  This episode leaves no doubt about the entanglement of politics and art—Art history, check.  Contemporary art, check.  Political art, absolutely.  Weaponized art, no question.