Biography
Blackdaylight & Cornel West w/James Baldwin is a spoken word project that brings together the voices and legacies of three distinct figures: Blackdaylight (an independent spoken word artist), Dr. Cornel West (a renowned philosopher and public intellectual), and archival recordings of James Baldwin (the celebrated American writer and civil rights activist). While Blackdaylight is a contemporary artist whose detailed biography is not widely documented, Cornel West and James Baldwin are both towering figures in American intellectual and cultural life.
James Baldwin (1924–1987), born in Harlem, New York, rose to prominence as a novelist, essayist, and civil rights activist. His works, such as 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' and 'Notes of a Native Son,' explored themes of race, sexuality, and identity, making him a leading voice in the civil rights and gay liberation movements[1]. Cornel West, born in 1953 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a philosopher, theologian, and activist whose writings and lectures—most notably in 'Race Matters' and 'Black Prophetic Fire'—continue Baldwin's tradition of prophetic critique and moral engagement[2][7].
The collaboration, as represented in the project 'Blackdaylight & Cornel West w/James Baldwin,' is a fusion of spoken word, philosophy, and archival audio. It draws on Baldwin's eloquence and courage, West's intellectual rigor and activism, and Blackdaylight's contemporary artistry to address enduring questions of justice, identity, and resilience. The musical style is rooted in spoken word and jazz-influenced rhythms, emphasizing the power of language and performance to inspire social change.
Fun Facts
- Cornel West has taught at both Princeton and Harvard, often referencing Baldwin in his lectures and public appearances[2][7].
- James Baldwin's unfinished manuscript 'Remember This House' was adapted into the acclaimed documentary 'I Am Not Your Negro.'[1]
- Baldwin survived two suicide attempts and wrote candidly about despair and resilience, themes echoed in the spoken word collaborations[3].
- Cornel West often describes Baldwin's style as 'blues-like,' emphasizing the fusion of suffering and hope in his work[2].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Richard Wright - James Baldwin's early literary mentor and inspiration; Wright's work influenced Baldwin's first essays and novels. (Notes of a Native Son (Baldwin's essays often reference Wright)) [1940s–1950s]
- Amos and Jesus (as archetypes) - Cornel West cites the biblical prophets and Jesus as spiritual and philosophical influences, shaping his approach to prophetic critique. (Race Matters, Black Prophetic Fire) [1980s–present]
Key Collaborators
- Cornel West - Featured as a speaker and philosophical commentator in the project, continuing Baldwin's legacy through contemporary analysis. (Blackdaylight & Cornel West w/James Baldwin (spoken word recordings)) [2020s]
- James Baldwin (archival audio) - Historic speeches and interviews by Baldwin are sampled and interwoven into the collaborative spoken word tracks. (Blackdaylight & Cornel West w/James Baldwin (spoken word recordings)) [2020s]
Artists Influenced
- Ta-Nehisi Coates - Coates cites Baldwin as a primary literary and intellectual influence, especially in his exploration of race in America. (Between the World and Me) [2010s]
- Raoul Peck - Director of the documentary 'I Am Not Your Negro,' which adapts Baldwin's unfinished manuscript and features his archival voice. (I Am Not Your Negro (film)) [2016]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Struggle | 1969-05-01 | Album |
| James Baldwin Reads James Baldwin | 1967-01-24 | Album |
| loganathan's land. | 2022-06-26 | Album |
Top Tracks
- The Struggle - Part I (The Struggle)
- The Struggle - Part II (The Struggle)
- Giovanni's Room "Giovanni and Guillaume" (James Baldwin Reads James Baldwin)
- Giovanni's Room "Joey" - Part 1 (James Baldwin Reads James Baldwin)
- Another Country "Rufus' Suicide" (James Baldwin Reads James Baldwin)
- Another Country "Rev. Foster's Eulogy" (James Baldwin Reads James Baldwin)
- Giovanni's Room "Joey" - Part 2 (James Baldwin Reads James Baldwin)
- Exodus - Pin Drop Mix (Yoshitoshi: Best of 2020)
- Exodus - Pin Drop Mix (Exodus (Pin Drop Mix))
- Exodus - Pin Drop Dub Mix (Exodus (Pin Drop Mix))
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Blackdaylight & Cornel West w/James Baldwin has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 3, 2025 | 00:47 | Sugar & Firefrom Existential Crisis | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis | |
| Sep 22, 2025 | 00:46 | Jazz Freedom | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis |