Review Summary: She by Charity Ekeke is a "women's album" which chronicles her observations about the treatment of women around the world. The rights and issues, as well as the inequity women must deal with are what "She" is all about.
There is no question that the masses of the world have renewed their contract with the ideals of social activism. From protests on the streets around the globe to athletes dropping to one knee when the national anthem is played at sporting events, there's something happening out there. People from all walks of life are proclaiming they're mad as hell and they've not going to take it any more. There's a feeling in the air that battle lines are being drawn. That we the people may no longer trust, much less than expect, that those in the position of authority are looking out for our best interests or protecting our rights. There's also "She" by Charity Ekeke.
Nigerian recording artist Charity Ekeke is a care giver in not only her profession, but also in her life and music. A registered nurse who was born in Africa then immigrated to the United States she's seen more than her fair share of social injustice along the way; especially when it comes to the treatment of women around the world. As a person she's taken care of her family, as a professional she's taken care of the infirm and elderly, as an artist she's taken on injustice, but as a woman she's treated as a second class citizen. That is what her album "She" is all about.
Charity Ekeke uses the genre of alternative rock music like a surgeon uses a scalpel. She cuts away at the curtains, veils and matrix that hide the obvious which those who hold power prefer we not see. Her songs on "She" do this with precision and they do it to a traditional rock & roll backbeat. Her voice is not pretty - it's honest. Charity's songs are not cute - some of them are downright angry and if you really listen to the lyrics, she has every damn right to feel that way. Musically she takes on bullies and bigots, haters and unfair critics, shamers [sic] and blamers and all who claim they're better than anyone who does not share their DNA, geographical origin, religion or political beliefs.
Ms. Ekeke takes the proverbial bull by its bloody horns when she addresses the plights and treatment of the world's refugees on a track named "Bloodline". Here is where she calls out the unfairness of having the fate of you and your family decided by where you were born. This is where she points out the absurdity and hypocrisy of being granted or denied citizenship when after all, as her lyrics remind us; we're all undeniably citizens of the world. If you were to inquiry of whom among us has made for our self the choice of the country where our life begins I don't believe you'd see many, if any, hands raised to be included in that count.
Another of her tunes, "If the Roles Were Reversed" tackles the judgmental negativity of role stereotyping. It doesn't require a vast amount of perspicacity to ascertain that women in particular are victims of these gender assumptions and Charity again lyrically blasts with both barrels blazing when she asks "Did you ever stop to think...how would you feel" and then presents examples of everyday gender marginalization. This song is the gem atop the crown she should proudly wear within this collection that truly makes her record a "women's album".
www.charityekeke.com
