“A Seat At The Table: Köln Listening Party”

As an artist I am very meticulous about the artists I study and support. I say study because I think we learn from each other and grow from one another. September 2016 Solange Knowles released her hit album ‘A Seat At The Table,’ which opened the door for conversation and transparency not only about race, but artistry and life. It inspired millions and reminded me of a quote by funk soul legend James Brown in regards to his life in the industry and as a black man in America during segregation. James Brown said, “I Don’t Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing (Open Up the Door, I'll Get It Myself).” 

He was stating to anyone that he isn’t asking for a handout, he will get his own success in life as long as he was on an equal playing field with other people. It’s a safe bet to say my friends just opened that door for German artists! When I think of my two friends whom I met a few years ago at a hostel on Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles I Think of Solange and James’s messages. They are bi-racial African-German rappers from Germany trying to enter into the mainstream USA market like most artists. The difference is other artists have come from countries with a less negative stigma associated with their country such as the UK, France and Latin America. 

I was intrigued and elated to see not only how rap music has resonated with people all around the globe, but have inspired them to tell their own stories. I call MVD MICKI the German Drake- but of course not to be compared as they are not synonymous, but his rhymes are melodic and transparent as only someone who's experienced the duality of race and foreignness can express. The juxtaposition of being a descendent of the diaspora, coming from a foreign country that exhibited hatred towards people similar to that of the United States and relating to similar struggles to other descendants in the USA to create this artistic story. Let me introduce these two brothers, not because they’re friends of mine, but because they are artists who helm from an incredible history on both sides as well as creatives who endured the brutality of this industry- went back into the lab and have created The Wavy Way to put German rap artists on the map! It had been at least least two years since I last saw MVD MICKI and 1001ROMEO, we literally met a week before the pandemic in the city that creates stars and crushes dreams of artists every day. 

So, when the pair invited me to their home in Köln (Cologne) Germany to hear their new music I knew it had to be big. The two had of late started purging their social media accounts and what I presume a bit of their personal lives to go into the lab and put it all to music. We arrived at this dope Hookah Lounge in Köln where the inside gave the feel of Dubai and the drinks were made to perfection. A few drinks in and a sampling of some of the best hookah around probably due to Köln’s huge Turkish population and the music started. My friend's new music had songs talking about his trips to the states and the lack of supporters for his music when he first started, but he remained hopeful and diligent and produced a great body of work that only he knew he could deliver. 

When talking about the project MVD MICKI mentioned all the people who advised him on what he should be doing and not really seeing his vision. I think I may have been one of those people- I mean I’m a Virgo, I can’t help but to give a bit of advice. In the end I’m glad he followed his own mind to create the art that he wanted. In the end that’s all that really matters. Sometimes others can not see our vision- but they saw it for themselves and excelled. 

A few of my favorite tracks which I will link with this article are: ‘I Knew It’ featuring artist Climbing Lvls, ‘Lesbian’, ‘Avoiding Her’  and ‘Better’. The 10-Track album was co-produced by younger brother 1001ROMEO who features on five tracks and hosts some amazing collaborations featuring songs in English, German and French. This project in my opinion will change the game with the influx of culture and vibes. After the listening party, we found ourselves at the table. Playing games, eating food, drinking homemade vin chaud I made with their sister and learning from each other. 

The table opened the door for many conversations. I learned that my friends grandfather was a doctor who was invited to be a Nazi. A year into the organization their grandfather learned enough to not only quit but to publicly demand German people to make reparations throughout Europe and even volunteered to swap places with veterans who were prisoners of war. This of course led to coverage in German newspapers. My friends of African and German descent were very open about their family history and the lack of acceptance some German’s of our generation have about their ancestors' history.  

“I Don’t Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing (Open Up the Door, I’ll Get It Myself).” - James Brown”

The table talks with the two brothers as well as their sister on the German film industry followed us up late nights until early mornings filming scenes and rehearsing sides. Finally, after several talks on the  industry we conceptualized and started writing our own German tv series. Basically me bringing a Stateside perspective to mix with Germany’s diverse population to hopefully broaden the reach of artists there. Look out Netflix, we’re aiming for you! Hopefully, there will be more collaborations in the near future. 

In the meantime let's not drag this article along, check out the album THE WAVY WAY!

WEBSITE LINK

SPOTIFY LINK

CHRISTMAS GOOSE IN COLOGNE

Spoiler: If you are Vegan or Vegetarian this blog will cut you like a knife. 

To my North American, particularly USA friends this may sound like something out of a Charles Dickens ‘Christmas’ novel, but I ate roast Christmas Goose this holiday season and it was amazing! Honestly, I prefer it to turkey. To me it tasted like a roasted chicken and honey baked ham with a brown sugar glaze had a baby! I loved it and I must find it stateside. Believe it or not you can find it here in the USA. I turned to the handy dandy Youtube to find recipes and states that may prefer the goose to the traditional turkey. 

You may have read my German Mulled Wine Christmas story about my trek in what I can only describe as the Farmers Market for Christmas… well adjacent to the Mulled Wine stall was a stall with the most delicious smelling meat roasting right before my eyes. I asked my three German friends what it was as it was this huge slab of meat, but I couldn't tell which animal it came from. Just as surprised as I was that they were cooking a real goose, my German friends were surprised it isn't traditionally a part of our holiday menu. Being the bread lover I am, I requested my goose in the form of a sandwich- we of course all know bread in Europe is better, even in Germany (although I still prefer the bread in Italy best!) added with this sandwich was this creamy mayo and a delicious sauerkraut. It was a minute before I realised that this was my first time trying sauerkraut as well. Wipe of the mayo (unless that’s your thing) add some sriracha and it was the best sandwich I’ve had in ages!

The beauty of traveling to foreign places are these cultural differences and exchanges. I mean through this we talked not only about holiday foods and languages, but our conversations chartered into world history, politics and of course WWII. When one thinks of going to Khön (Cologne) Germany for two days to hear their rap artist friends' new music one doesn’t expect to be enriched by history, foods, spirits and culture in such a short time. The experience was incredible and I hope you, my readers, whomever is out there reading this pick up your passport and visit. I also hope you find roasted goose and give it a try!

WHAT IS THE B.A.G.?

So, you’re probably wondering what the B.A.G.  means, or what exactly it is? Well let me answer that- the B.A.G. (Black American Gay) is a travel blog from well… a Black American Gay man’s perspective. I first started traveling internationally in 2016 and have even lived abroad in Paris for a year. As a gay man I was subscribed to blogs and youtube channels from other Gay Americans and even started using Misterbnb (gay version of Airbnb) becasue of it. I was always able to find spaces held for North American expats and even spaces for POC from the USA as well as spaces for LGBT people from the USA. 

But I could never find the spaces held for the LGBT people of colour, especially gay men. I mean I can’t explain too much for the lesbian or trans perspective whilst abroad, but I can definitely tell you my black american gay perspective. I wish I could tell you where all the black american gay men are hiding? As cliche as it sounds maybe they're on the beaches of Miami, or having brunch at a new trendy soul food spot in Atlanta, possibly waiting for Blatino Oasis in Palm Springs; however, what I can say is I’d like to see more of us on a Gondola in Venice, atop of the Eiffel tower in Paris or even hiking to the Big Buddha, in Hong Kong. We shouldn’t just travel for cute engagement photos or to tropical caribbean islands where the laws of being LGBT are severely punishable. 

Not to discredit these experiences, but we should definitely see how our influence  has reached the world. You might ask why do I think it’s important for us to occupy a seat at the travel table and the answer is quite simple- similar to women who travel who are subjected to worries of safety and activity I need to know whether or not I have to worry about racism or homophobia or sometimes both when I travel? In some countries my being black is more of an issue than my being gay- at which point being gay helps me, but then in other countries being black is fine as long as I am not gay which could mean jail, abuse or even death. Lil Nas X might sing about the beauty of Dominica, but the dark side for its LGBT inhabitants who have not escaped to other countries for asylum are bodies forever lost in the jungles. So, grab your passport and sign up for those frequent flier points as we travel the world, try new foods and new experiences. 

Let's cultivate groups and discussions that will help the LGBT POC after us!