Win Tickets ($60): Grammy Winner Fantastic Negrito @ Aladdin Theater | Folk, Blues, R&B
We are giving away a pair of tickets to Fantastic Negrito @ Aladdin Theater on June 14. To win, comment below on this post why you’d like to attend. Winner will be drawn and emailed June 6.
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From our sponsors:
Fantastic Negrito
June 14, 2022
Doors 7PM, Show 8PM | $30 | All Ages
More info: event.etix.com
Aladdin Theater
3017 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland, OR 97202
Part love story, part historical excavation, Fantastic Negrito’s extraordinary new album, White Jesus Black Problems, is an exhilarating ode to the power of family and the enduring resilience of our shared humanity. Inspired by the illegal, interracial romance of his seventh generation grandparents—a white indentured servant and an enslaved Black man—in 1750s Virginia, the collection is bold and thought provoking, grappling with racism, capitalism, and the very meaning of freedom itself, all without ever losing sight of the desire and determination at the heart of the tale. While each track here could stand easily on its own, as could the companion film Negrito shot to accompany the music, stepping back to absorb the collection in its full audio and visual context yields a far more transcendent and immersive sensory experience, one that challenges our notions of who we are, where we come from, and, perhaps most importantly, where we’re headed.
Born Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz, by now much has been made of Negrito’s own unique story—his early years growing up in an orthodox Muslim household, the doomed major label deal that turned him off of the music industry altogether, the near-fatal car cash that permanently damaged his guitar playing hand—as well as the remarkable redemption arc that began in 2015, when he won the first ever NPR Tiny Desk Contest. In the years that followed, Negrito would go on to take home three consecutive GRAMMY Awards for Best Contemporary Blues Album, tour with everyone from Sturgill Simpson to Chris Cornell, collaborate in the studio with the likes of Sting and E-40, launch his own Storefront Records label, perform at Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, Newport Folk, Bryon Bay Blues, and nearly every other major festival on the map, and found the Revolution Plantation, an urban farm aimed at youth education and empowerment. But the events on White Jesus Black Problems pre-date all of that by more than two centuries, and the story here isn’t so much Negrito’s as it is America’s.
“At the end of the day, this is a record about love,” says Negrito. “There’s a feeling out there right now that we can’t get anything done because we’re so polarized, so entrenched in our ideologies and unmoved by facts or logic, but I wanted to share this story because I think it smashes that narrative to pieces. Despite the horrific challenges these two faced, they found a way to be together, and the ripple effects of that act of love have been reverberating for hundreds of years.”
Ultimately, that’s what White Jesus Black Problems is all about.
“I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors, both black and white, who showed me that anything is possible,” says Negrito. “There was a lot of ugliness in their story, but there was a lot of beauty, too, because in the end, they won. Love won.”
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Seeing him would be amazing
Would love to see him!
Love him! Sounds like a fun night!
Sounds like a blast. Thanks for a chance!!
I would love to see this show
The Aladdin is such a cool venue and I love all the food nearby. I’d turn this into a great date night with my dear.
Indeed, love did win. And I’d love to win these tickets!
I am very excited about seeing Fantastic Negrito!
Would love to see Fantastic Negrito!!
Oh my, I’d be the best wife ever if I got tix to this one, my husband might even swoon!! Thanks for the chance to win! 🙏🏼
Chocolate Samurai is my favorite walking my dog in the park song!
Fantastic Negrito is fantastic! Would love to see him live.
Hot damn! Yes please!
Hot damn! Yes please!
So prescient. Great art. I’d love to go.
This sounds fantastic!
Fantastic Negrito is the most exciting artist in contemporary jazz/funk. His examination of race relations in America and analysis of trauma is unparalleled. Add in shovelman, and we’ve got one he’ll of a show. I’d love to have the opportunity to see one of my favorite musicians out right now. BUY/STREAM THE NEW ALBUM “WHITE JESUS BLACK PROBLEMS” ON JUNE 3RD!!!!!
I would love to go to this show!
I love jazz/funk music. Would love to go.
Wow, fun!
This would be so cool! I have never seen him live but did run into him once in Portland when he was here for the Blues Festival. He had a rabbit’s foot on one of his ears and was super nice! haha. Anyway, I love his music and can’t imagine how funky he gets on stage!
Oh, man. That Hendrix/R&B/Funky/Soul sound that he brings is unmatched. I would love to see what kinda show he puts on–especially in this AWESOME city.
This would be a DREAM COME TRUE. I’ve never seen him live but did run into him once downtown at a Vegan foodtruck when he was in for the Blues Festival. He was wearing a rabbit’s foot as an earring and was super nice!
Such a brilliant performer – yes, please!
What a fun, unique show that would be to see!