There's Something (Beautiful) In The Water (Vol. 6)
The everpresent symbolism of water in Black music, media and text
“All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was.” — Toni Morrison
On vacation with my mom, my nine-year-old excitedly calls me to tell me about her day. She recounts how beautiful Jamaica is and revels in her time in the water. Without hesitation, she says, 'Mommy... I feel at one with the water. I just feel like I belong here.'"
Suddenly, my mind recalls a tweet I had bookmarked earlier in the day on Twitter, where she draws a connection between women in the music industry and their visuals, where water takes center stage. In it, SZA, Tems, Victoria Monet and more are either submerged, surrounded and/or entranced by the calm it provides. Which prompted me to write about the everpresent symbolism of water in Black music, media and text.
Victoria Monet is submerged in water, at eye level, on the cover of her album "Jaguar II".
Nothing in this world compares to the solace that water provides me. Water, for me, acts as a purifier, washing away my stress and worries—even if it’s just for 15 minutes. In an article titled, “What Spiritual Baths Mean for Black Wellness” by Shamira Ibrahim for Allure (2017), she states: “In many Black spiritual practices that predate colonial interactions, there has long been a reverence for water and cleansing. These rituals and concepts have been preserved and transported to the Americas and beyond as a byproduct of the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade.”
Sitting with that for a moment to truly grasp the weight it carries, I contemplate water and its transformative nature. Water purifies, offers nourishment, and evokes a feeling of renewal and rejuvenation. However, it is also destructive. Its influence is both material and symbolic, representing not only purification (in the physical sense) but also spiritual rebirth (in the emotional sense).
Photo captured by image maker Roya DeSol
In the scholarly article "The Ecstasy of River Baptisms under Suns Just Like This One: 'Sula's' Rites and Sites of Memory" by Tiffany N. Hinton, published by the John Hopkins University Press (2017), she establishes a connection between Toni Morrison and the symbolism of water in her texts. In a recent conversation, I asked Toni Morrison about her novels’ recurring water imagery. Morrison's answers focused exclusively on her second novel, Sula (1973). When conceiving Sula, the author says she intuited that "Nel's images were another thing but Sula was water" (Morrison, personal interview). Years after the novel was published, the anthropologist Frances S. Herskovits informed Morrison that "Sula means water in Twi," a Ghanaian language, and reminded her that South African artist "Miriam Makeba's song, ‘Sula Me,’ means Water Flow."
"Make me sweat / Make me hotter / Make me lose my breath / Make me water," sings South African singer and songwriter Tyla in her hit song. Respected music artists Kelela and Janelle Monae, are also submerged in water on their album covers, Raven and The Age of Pleasure that were released earlier this year. Many years before, Beyonce captivated fans with her stunning visuals in Lemonade (2016), specifically “Love Drought” that has been applauded for its incredibly powerful imagery — and its link to the Igbo Landing.
Still taken from “Love Drought” music video by Beyoncé
Before Beyoncé and the aforementioned artists, a diverse array of music artists preceded them, harnessing the elemental power of water as a resonant symbol encompassing rebirth, tradition, lineage, self-discovery, renewal, and transformation.
Janet Jackson photographed for her debut album in 1982
Mary J. Blige in her music video for “Everything” in 1997
Examining cultural references more closely, Mami Wata and Yemaja are potent embodiments of this connection, representing the extensive influence of water across diverse traditions and belief systems.
These archetypes serve as pivotal points of reference, illuminating the multiple ways in which water has etched its significance into our collective consciousness and are deeply intertwined with African and diasporic spirituality.
It is no wonder that it finds poignant expression within the realms of music and visuals, particularly for Black women, as a medium for exploring identity, strength, and resilience.
Looking for some new music to add to your rotation? Click here to follow the Around My Way playlist on Spotify. A blend of beautiful sounds, updated weekly.
Here’s what I’m feeling the most at the moment:
Victoria Monet - How Does It Make You Feel
Interpolating "Diamonds & Pearls" by Prince and the New Power Generation, this song is a prime example of how to sample correctly. Jaguar II by Victoria Monét is more than just "Alright" and the viral Tik Tok hit '“On My Mama,” she flexes her deep knowledge of music on so many records and “How Does It Make You Feel” is an easy favourite.
“I know that it's God up there / Giving me the signs / Out of all the world / You and I aligned”
Things I found interesting [this week] around my way!
Read: “How Instagram Ruined Personal Style” penned by Chris Black for GQ here. “Real personal style died with the rise of Instagram. Plenty of people still look great, but the barrage of inspirational images, ease of consumption, and overabundance of trends and styles (often quickly duplicated by fast-fashion giants) have changed the landscape. We are now focused on “pieces”—buying the one, often high-dollar item—that will make us feel good and give us the instant gratification we need. But style, as I see it, takes years to develop and refine.”
Watch: ‘Water’ by Tyla
Read: “Beyonce’s Silvery, Shimmering Renaissance” for New York Times here. “Three nights later, in Las Vegas, the town glimmered with anticipation. Everyone understood the assignment: Gleaming chrome thigh-high boots, glittering purses, shiny Telfar bags and rhinestone cowboy hats caught and bounced back the light from the stark desert sun, sending Morse signals to the rest of us who were in town for the same reason.”
In the meantime, tell your friends, so they could tell their friends, about around my way, so we could be friends.
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