The Playground Meets: Lo Village - Discussing New EP ‘Lost In America’
Written by: Laroche Cineus
Interviewed by: Virginia ‘Steph’ Donalds
The Montgomery Village rap and neo-soul inspired trio, Lo Village, follow their 2019 It Takes a Village EP with their most direct release yet, a five track EP that dropped late last year titled Lost In America. While Lo Village unifies their perspective as a collective artistically, they don’t allow location to be their defining factor, though it plays an influence in reinforcing their sense of community.
Reaffirming the mounting racial tension and violence experienced being Black in America on the opening track “Sick”, Ama and Kane exasperatedly sing:
“I'm so sick, ohhhh, they just shot my baby, right in front of me (Ya, Ya)/ I'm so sick, ohhh, they just shot my baby, who gon ride for me? (Ya, Ya)”
With no response to the question, Ama directly addresses the uncertainty of the Black collective seeking allyship in order to confront these social issues. But through this questioning, they’re left to realize that weight still remains squarely on their shoulders. From that need for solidarity we see Lo Village’s desire for autonomy manifest in their creation of the Rebel Music Collective. Founded in 2011, their motivation was to create a structure that provides them the ability to control their own destiny, after witnessing many artists before them struggle at the end of their careers.
“No one ever wants to preach to people, or try to seem more holier than thou. So you kind of tip toe around what you really want to say,” Kane tells us, in reference to the social climate of 2020. Being aware of how a politically charged message is often received, the Montgomery Village trio felt it necessary not to turn a blind eye. “We’re all black, how can we not be?” Ama says, and that transparency and honesty is reflected not only in how they hold themselves accountable, but those who identify with the collective struggle yet sympathize with the opposition.
“If you aint for the squad, you can go. Love you too much, this time’s personal/ Won’t hold you back, your life, you choose”
While we’re connected through the codes we stand on, 2020’s forced isolation has placed many of us in a distant reflective state. Amidst the restrictions preventing them from touring, Lo Village managed to maintain. With the abundance of time seeming daunting at first, Lo Village accepted they were given the opportunity to simply live and explore more about themselves. Along with providing perspective, the Lo Village members grew ever more aware of how they collectively want to be perceived.
In that same confidence of self, they leave us with the reminder not only to believe in ourselves and be ourselves but to trust the process as we explore what that means. And most importantly “Wear a mask, wash your hands, sanitize, and drink water.”
Be sure to check out Lo Village’s latest release Lost In America EP - and check out the video for the title-track “Lost In America” below.