Santan Dave’s WAAITT is a powerful social commentary on the Black experience 

Music has always been a source of relaxation and enjoyment for many people, but it can also be a powerful tool for sending messages. Artists who use their platform to share their personal experiences and struggles can have a profound impact on their listeners, especially those who can relate to their message. Santan Dave is one such artist who has a unique way of delivering his message through his music. Dave’s album “We’re All Alone In This Together” has been widely praised for its exploration of issues that impact the Black community in the UK. The album’s social commentary is both powerful and relevant to the current social and political climate in the UK. Dave’s ability to speak truth to power is a testament to his talent and his passion for bringing important issues to the forefront. The album brings to light the truth of matters that need to be said, especially regarding the black community and the challenges they have faced, from the Windrush generation to Dave’s own generation. Dave’s commentary on these issues is significant because of his life story and experiences in the UK, which can translate to black communities everywhere. Dave’s play on words is complex and riveting, leaving listeners wondering and reflecting, especially those who can relate to his message. His ability to express his thoughts through music is a true gift and one that should be celebrated. “We’re All Alone In This Together” is a must-listen album for anyone who wants to learn more about the struggles and experiences of the Black community in the UK and globally. In a world where mainstream media and culture often overlook or ignore important issues, Santan Dave’s album is a reminder that music can be a powerful tool for change. The album is a call to action for all of us to pay attention to the issues that impact our communities and to work together to create a better world for all.  

In the album, there are many times in which Dave speaks of the black experience and how we’re viewed in society especially with us being labeled as aggressors for example The lines “Man see Blue Story, they’re mortified / Man see Scarface and it’s glorified / ‘Cause when you’re black, everything gets scrutinised / That’s why they call it ‘Urban’, it gets euphemised” (Santan Dave) That line highlights the media’s portrayals of Black culture are often subject to double standards and stereotypes. While movies like “Scarface” are often celebrated, movies like “Blue Story” are met with shock and horror. For more context, Scarface is one of my favorite movies but is an extremely violent film that portrays the world of organized crime and glamorizes its characters despite their violent and criminal behavior., the movie is seen as an all-time great movie and seen as beautiful in some senses but a movie like Blue Story, which lacks the excessive violence and misogyny Scarface shows is still seen as worse or rather isn’t seen as beautiful or as a “real film”. Dave and others like him (me) can relate to this because, as a Black man, everything that Santan Dave and men in our communities do is put under a microscope. This constant scrutiny is why they use the term “urban” as a euphemism – to avoid the harsher realities of being Black in a society that often treats people of color differently. 

In a review of the album for The Guardian, writer Rachel Aroesti notes that “We’re All Alone In This Together” is “The rapper’s long-awaited second album darts between hedonistic swagger and unsparing social commentary to cement his place at rap’s apex” (Aroesti). Although this is Dave’s second album he’s already seen as an apex in the music scene, not only does he talk about his experience in the UK he also speaks about his upbringing as well As a Nigerian, I can relate to the challenges, and circumstances that Dave faced growing up. He also speaks about the Windrush generation, referring to those who People arriving in the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries have been labeled the Windrush generation. “It refers to the ship MV Empire Windrush, which docked in Tilbury on 22 June 1948, bringing workers from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and other islands, to help fill post-war UK labour shortages. The ship carried 492 passengers – many of them children.” (BBC News) According to Aroesti, Dave’s parents came to the UK from Nigeria when he was a baby, and he follows a song called “Three Rivers” that chronicles the experiences of various generations of immigrants to the UK, including Windrush, Eastern European, and Middle Eastern, over elegiac keys. “Three Rivers” is one of only a handful of straightforward showcases for Dave’s most striking talent, which is his ability to distill awful but also sometimes ambivalent realities where the lines between hero and villain, victim and aggressor, can be painfully blurred (Aroesti). Despite his youth, Dave speaks on these heavy topics with such a tone and essence that you’d think he’s a decade older than he is, with his eye-opening reveals. In the song “Three Rivers” Dave says “Imagine a place where you raise your kids The only place you live says you ain’t a Brit They’re deportin’ our people and it makes me sick ‘Cause they were broken by the country that they came to fix It’s like” (Santan Dave) These lyrics symbolize how the Windrush generation from the 60s are being treated, it’s sick and degrading especially since they wanted to make it their homes but were frowned upon. Further down in the song, Dave speaks on the British politicians closing their eyes to the injustice they sign off on. A genius notation of the lyric reads ” Dave is addressing the British politicians who make decisions to close off their borders for any asylum-seekers, hence stopping vulnerable children arriving from war and famine-ridden countries to have a better life in the UK – and in a whole: survive. It was reported in June 2021 that more than 430 asylum-seekers arrive to the UK borders everyday – with most coming from the Middle East.” (Genius) I was debating using the lyrics or the notation, but I chose the notation because it’s so detailed and highlights the help that could be given but it’s not. It’s why once again Dave is revered as an amazing writer and artist due to him speaking about raw honesty that sends shivers down one’s spine. 

In conclusion, Santan Dave’s album “We’re All Alone In This Together” is a powerful work of art that speaks truth to power about the challenges faced by the Black community in the UK and beyond. Dave’s ability to use his platform to explore and comment on important issues is a testament to his talent and passion for creating change through music. His commentary on the media’s portrayal of Black culture, as well as the challenges faced by the Windrush generation and other immigrant communities, is both poignant and relevant to the current social and political climate. Overall, “We’re All Alone In This Together” is a must-listen for anyone looking to learn more about the Black experience and the issues that impact our communities. It serves as a reminder that music can be a powerful tool for change, and we should all work together to create a better world for everyone. I personally recommend taking a listen to the album and specifically Heart Attack, In The Fire, Both Sides of A Smile, and Survivor’s Guilt. In relation to this op-ed, they are a must-listen. 

Reflection 

Reflecting on my op-ed piece, I realize that it was a very personal and vulnerable piece for me to write. I typically keep my personal tastes and experiences separate from my academic or professional writing. However, in this case, I felt compelled to blend the two because of the nature of the op-ed format. It allowed me to present a more intimate perspective on a topic that was deeply meaningful to me. As I think about potential publications that might be interested in my op-ed, I can see it resonating with audiences who value music journalism and cultural commentary. Specifically, I believe publications like Complex, Pitchfork, and The Guardian would be a good fit for my piece. These outlets are known for their thoughtful coverage of music, as well as their willingness to delve into topics related to social justice and identity. Out of these three, I am particularly drawn to Complex and Pitchfork, as I feel their styles align more closely with my own as a writer. In terms of my intended audience, I envision my op-ed appealing to people who are fans of the British rapper Santan Dave, as well as those who are interested in exploring the black experience across generations. By weaving together personal anecdotes, historical context, and critical analysis, I hope to offer readers a unique perspective on the intersections of music, race, and identity. My ultimate goal is to start a conversation about the ways in which music can serve as a powerful tool for cultural preservation and resistance. In terms of rhetorical situations, I see my op-ed as a response to the ongoing struggles and triumphs of the black community. By focusing on the music of Santan Dave and the themes he explores in his work, I am able to highlight the ways in which music can both reflect and shape the experiences of marginalized communities. Through my writing, I am advocating for the importance of centering black voices and experiences in conversations about culture and identity. To achieve this goal, I used a variety of rhetorical strategies in my op-ed. One of the most important was my tone. I worked hard to strike a balance between personal reflection and critical analysis, aiming for a tone that was both accessible and authoritative. By presenting myself as both a fan of Santan Dave and a knowledgeable critic of his work, I hoped to build credibility with my readers and establish a sense of shared investment in the issues I was discussing. Another key rhetorical strategy I employed was purpose. I made sure that every aspect of my op-ed served a clear and intentional purpose, whether it was providing historical context, offering close readings of specific lyrics, or sharing personal anecdotes. By tying each piece of the puzzle together in a cohesive and purposeful way, I aimed to create a compelling argument that would resonate with my readers and inspire them to think critically about the role of music in our lives. Overall, I am proud of the work I did on my op-ed piece, and I believe it has the potential to make a meaningful impact in the conversations we have about music, race, and identity. By taking a personal and reflective approach to this topic, I was able to offer a fresh perspective that I hope will resonate with readers and spark important conversations about the power of music to inspire change.