Today, Brandon Lucas released a remix package of his “Got That Hope” single featuring esteemed intellectual and thought-leader Dr. Cornel West. The remix package boasts reworks by house and techno tastemaker Seth Troxler and funky-soul-fusion Texan producer Seven Davis Jr., with both versions offering distinct takes on Lucas’ original that was released in September. Troxler’s transcendental version features intricate pitch layering intertwining with Dr. West’s hopeful message, while Davis’ offers a club-focused and higher tempo take on the record.
Lucas has been working with philosopher, political activist, social critic and author Dr. West since 2008. During the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests earlier this year, Dr. West asked Lucas to post on his social media on his behalf to share his message. As Lucas was wondering how he should protest during this time, Dr. West and his message became the inspiration for his music.
“At that time I was feeling really conflicted because I was like, ‘how do I protest?’ How do I use my voice?’ Lucas says. “And talking to Dr. West, he inspired me to create music because I had already started creating music, and I realized when I went outside to protest that protesting wasn’t necessarily me. I think that everyone protests in their own way.”
Lucas used a clip from one of Dr. West’s keynote speeches in 2020 and combined it with his deep and soulful beats to create “Got That Hope” as an outlet of protest. The artist, DJ, producer and talent coach continued to help spread this message of hope leading up to the election by being involved with Rave The Vote, a voter registration and fundraising digital event presented by INFAMOUS PR, 2+2 Management and Soul Clap that featured educational segments, calls to action and live stream DJ sets.
“We’re living in a very, very divisive time, a very, very challenging time where people just need hope,” Lucas notes prior to the election. “Dr. West says it in his way that we have a neoliberal disaster on one hand and a neofascist catastrophe on the other. We got to choose one. But that’s what we’re dealing with right now, so it’s hard to see beyond that. Dr. West says he’s not an optimist but a prisoner of hope, and I think that’s the message we have to push forward.”
The release of “Got That Hope” also marked the inception of Lucas’ Purple Label Sound imprint, which focuses on music, fashion and technology and aims to champion a new generation of underrepresented artists and producers in house and electronic music. “I truly believe the dance community as a whole is one of the most inclusive communities I know at its core, but many artists of color I know that have been in the industry for years and have extensive resumes have expressed to me the lack of consideration and looks they get in comparison to their white counterparts with similar resumes,” Lucas says.
Lucas believes this can be changed if promoters step out of their network to book different artists for festivals and shows. He added that legendary Black artists who founded house and techno music—such as Frankie Knuckles, Ron Hardy, Larry Levan and Marshall Jefferson—are renowned by many, but new Black artists don’t get the same attention and respect even if they have released on major labels. Lucas plans to utilize his background as an artist and executive who has developed talent, executively produced albums and developed careers to bring house music back to the Black community by marketing it in the appropriate way and amplifying underrepresented voices.
“I feel like I’m in a unique position to help make an impact on the culture for everyone,” Lucas says. “So although the label isn’t exclusively going to be about that, we’re going to work with everybody, I think that we’re definitely going to have a focus on elevating underrepresented communities for sure. And also, bringing house music back to the Black communities. To be honest, it started in our community but most people don’t understand that’s where it comes from, even Black people themselves. I think that has a lot to do with the way that it’s marketed.”
The Inglewood, Calif. native started making music as a child in gospel groups and church choirs. He says he fell in love with dance music by listening to artists such as deadmau5, Above & Beyond and Kaskade, because they reminded him of the music he grew up on. “The songs just reminded me of church,” Lucas says. “I used to be on the praise team, and we used to lead praise and worship and it felt like…it’s weird to say I’m out partying and having a good time, but it felt like praise and worship. It felt like the music moved the way a gospel song moved in a really interesting way, and I was like, ‘this is perfect. This is me.’”
Looking back on his illustrious career to date, Lucas says if he could give his younger self one piece of advice it would be to take his time and allow himself to find his voice and discover who he is, which he feels he has now done through life experiences.
“I think a lot of artists want to sing and they want to create music, but I think it’s about what do you want to say? What do you have to offer the world?” Lucas says.
Learn more about Brandon Lucas here.
