Roots
2020
Artist: Ayesha Jordan & Justin Hicks
Medium: Song
Please listen with headphones or good speakers
Roots (Lyrics)
written by Ayesha Jordan & Justin Hicks
A marked body
A privileged body
A limp body
A strong body
A virile body
A broken body
A choked body
An average body
A live body
A dismembered body
A peaceful body
A non-aggressive body
An innocent body
A guilty body
A muscular body
A skinny body
A fat body
A wanted body
A dreamy body
A sexy body
A funny body
A lonely body
An exceptional body
A touched body
A neglected body
A burnt body
A hung body
A starved body
A dead body
A somebody
A forgotten body
A nobody
An anybody
A marked body
A privileged body
A limp body
A strong body
A virile body
Roots I Can’t Lie Can’t Lie I’m So
So Low In-side
In-side Why Cry
Why Cry No Sigh
Sigh Pride Flies In No Time
A marked body
A privileged body A limp body
A strong body
A virile body
A broken body
A choked body
Roots I can’t lie
Can’t lie I’m so
So low in my mind
Low mind and I don’t know why
I gave up what I knew, and then it flew, it flew
I gave up what I knew, and then it flew, it flew
Roots I Can’t Lie Can’t Lie
I’m So So Low In Side
In Side Why Cry
Why Cry No Sigh
So where do you parcel your energy
Will you take what you see, is the joke on me
The body you wanted the one you need
If you’re free will you be
Will you be indeed
I’m gonna lay down my burden
Oooh, gonna lay down my burden
I’m gonna lay down my burden
Roots I Can’t Lie Can’t Lie I’m So
A long time ago
My heart said yes
Now i stand
In this peace
At ease
In this peace
Now i stand
In my ease
My heart said yes
Finally
A long time ago
My heart said yes
Now i stand
In this peace
A long time ago
My heart said yes
Now i stand
In this peace
At ease
In this peace
Now i stand
In my ease
My heart said yes
Finally
A long time ago
My heart said yes
Now i stand
In this peace
A long time ago
My heart said yes
Now i stand
In this peace
At ease
In this peace
Now i stand
In my ease
My heart said yes
Finally
A long time ago
My heart said yes
Now i stand
In this peace
She and her collaborators, Justin Hicks and David Sainte, recently presented the work Shasta Geaux Pop: Blended Therapy, November 2020, as part of The Shed’s Up Close and as a commissioned artist for their Open Call. Shasta Geaux Pop has been presented on The High Line (NYC) with collaborator Charlotte Brathwaite. Shasta Geaux Pop was also presented at Under the Radar Festival 2018, Right About Now Festival in Amsterdam, NL, and in Orange County, CA for the Off Center Festival at the Segerstrom Arts Center. In 2017 they were also at the La Jolla Playhouse's Without Walls (WOW) Festival, the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center, Under the Radar Festival (Jan 2017) and at The Bushwick Starr (Sept 2016).
Justin Hicks is a Drama Desk-nominated singer-songwriter, and sound artist. He’s worked with notable artists such as Abigail DeVille, Kaneza Schaal, Meshell Ndegeocello, Hilton Als, Bill T. Jones, and Steffani Jemison. His work has been featured at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, The Public, Baryshnikov Art Center, Festival steirischer herbst (Graz, AT), and The Albertinum Museum (Dresden, DE). Most recently he was the composer for Lynn Nottage's latest play Clyde's on Broadway. Hicks was a member of Kara Walker’s 6-8 Months Space and holds a culinary diploma from ICE in New York City.
