How We Can Fight for Racial Justice in the Rock Scene: Brandon Cunningham’s Story
Kawaii AF with Brandon Cunningham (center, seated). Photo courtesy of Kawaii AF.
Never in my life have I tried to conceal my black heritage or hide my skin. The very blood in my veins. But everyone around me treated me as such. You don't know how damaging it is to have been called "white" my entire fucking life. This has been told by white folks, black folks, and Hispanic folks. "Haha this boy is acting white". Why? Because my BLACK parents made sure I was educated and because I liked rock music.
Brandon Cunningham
The above excerpt was lifted directly from a Facebook post by musician Brandom Cunningham. His words, which continue in fiery prose, ignited a new passion in James Cross, producer and voice of the Better Band Bureau podcast on 105.9 FM The Radiator.
Protests, police reform, and systemic racism are the themes behind most discussions these days. From the realm of politics to education, conversations about race have touched nearly every aspect of society. With the passionate frontman of Kawaii AF joining him as co-host, James Cross and Brandon Cunningham want to bring the conversation into the world of rock and roll. A musical genre with historically black roots, with pioneering artists like Chuck Berry, Jimmie Hendrix, and our local friends Death.
Kawaii AF is a punk rock band from New Orleans, Louisiana, and has been nothing but different. Nothing but itself. Aggressive, and edgy within the expectations of post-90s punk, but with a colorful, poppy energy inspired by Japanese anime.
Every form of individual expression was beaten and forced out of our ancestors and then generations were brainwashed into believing that's how it always was anyway. That creativity and imagination was "corny" and that we should stay in our lanes. What's the lane? BASKETBALL and GANGSTA RAP!?
Brandon Cunningham is angry, and rightfully so. Brandon goes on to explain that the “brainwashing” is no longer an exclusively outside force working against the black community, but has now become so ingrained that forms of expression are now stifled by their own communities. This is a problem in the black community that stems from the White hijacking the black man's soul before any of our time.
The episode explores a number of topics. Race, rock history, police reform, generations raised on nihilism, removing the “circus-act“ novelty of black rockers, and why we should never stop learning. Brandon Cunningham recollects the Trayvon Martin killings, and how George Floyd almost became “another one.” The fear of silencing and ignoring George Floyd became a spur in Brandon’s side. He talks about how he felt pushed out of rock music, and the negative forces existing within the black community.
The episode will be broadcasted on June 24 at 7pm on 105.9 FM, and an online version and discussion forum will also be made in the BBB group on Facebook, June 24 at 8am.
Also, check out Kawaii AF’s music and content on Instagram, TikTok, Spotify, Soundcloud, Apple, Music, Patreon.
Text by Luke Vidic.