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Ebony bones

Ebony Bones unveils politically charged "No Black In The Union Jack"

25 June 2018, 16:20 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

Brixton's Ebony Bones gets political on new release "No Black In The Union Jack" which opens with fragments of Enoch Powell’s notorious Rivers of Blood speech.

Having announced her forthcoming album Nephilim with the title track earlier this month, Ebony Bones is back with an intricate reflection on the shambles that is the political system.

"No Black In The Union Jack" is opened by the racist remarks of Enoch Powell's Rivers of Blood speech, and, much like first single "Nephilim", the video is directed by Ebony Bones herself.

While pursuing a more upbeat sound than the last single, Ebony Bones strikes for just as powerful a message.

Speaking about her forthcoming album and new track, Ebony Bones explained, "The new album explores themes including the emergence of nationalism in the world post-Brexit and Trump. Xenophobia aswell as fear of immigrants and foreigners was strongly associated with support for leaving the EU, post-Trump and Brexit have created a hostile environment for immigrants, fanned by nationalist bile and scapegoating as displayed in 'No Black In The Union Jack’. The song begins with an audio clip of British Member of Parliament Enoch Powell’s notorious 'Rivers of Blood’ speech attacking immigration in 1968. This hate speech was so vile, it had never been broadcast in full until recently. It is one of the most incendiary racist speeches of modern Britain and this year marks it’s 50th anniversary. It was emotional directing the video in parts of London including Brixton where I grew up, aswell as Grenfell which has become an international symbol of systemic, institutional and structural inequality."

Nephilim is out 20 July on 1984 Records and sees Ebony Bones collaborate with The Beijing Philharmonic Orchestra. Find out more.

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