Even if you’re not a news connoisseur or a political junkie, the past few weeks have been so deeply embedded in politics, race and injustice that silence is an awkward choice of an option to roll with when the country is burning in consistent flames of chaos and disarray. If there is any song that captures the state of America right now, it is “We the ones” from legendary production trio and group Organized Noize. With everything going on it’s safe to say that "We the Ones" qualifies to be America’s theme right now. The song features the Dungeon Family's Big Boi, Ceelo Green and Big Rube. It's a "protest anthem" capturing the emotions of everyone who is impacted by this suspended state of social uncertainty that we’re in.
“It’s a response to how the government is handling things right now,” begins Organized Noize producer and singer, Patrick “Sleepy” Brown in his naturally smooth baritone voice. "We wanted to give people the boost they needed to feel strong and motivated. We want them to know that they are not alone in this fight. It’s something we can all get through together.” As the son of Jimmy Brown, the dynamic lead vocalist and saxophonist for the 1970s Atlanta-based funk band Brick, Sleepy's DNA has always been comprised of music. A self taught musician, Sleepy believes that music can be a therapeutic tool for unity and love.
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As captured in the Netflix hit documentary, "The Art of Organized Noize," Organized Noize has been bringing people of varied backgrounds together for years. Rico Wade, Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown created a culture and a movement that has broken records and catapulted the careers of multiple artists. The hit-makers planted the seeds that bloomed Southern Hip Hop into massive success with their Dungeon Family tree whose limbs extend to Outkast, Goodie Mob, Joi, Witchdoctor, Backbone, Big Rube, Killer Mike and more. Organized Noize is responsible for 75 million records sold via a discography that includes hits and production credits for Future, TLC, Eric Clapton, Beyonce, En Vogue, Xscape, Brandy, Ludacris and Janelle Monae just to name a few. This summer, ON stepped outside the shadows of 808’s, drum patterns and unorthodox loops to release their long awaited Organized Noize EP. The EP is an interchangeable mood album so intricately pieced together that it would be tragic to not appreciate the moments gifted to us through patterns of songs beautifully embodying different elements of life, love, feelings, and politics. Why Can't We, Awesome Lovin, and Anybody Out There featuring Joi and Scar are all very sensual songs so it's not a completely heavy EP. It's actually an eclectic Aquarius kind of album that you can vibe to in the club, under the moonlight, or in yoga or ballet.
"I would say that this album and music as a whole is soothing to the soul," shares Sleepy. "Music is therapeutic. It has the ability to calm the mind and get you through different situations. This EP is political, educational, funky and sexy. It’s very special to me."
Sleepy confessed that when Rico and Ray told him they wanted to do an Organized Noize EP he was elated."It was a great feeling. That was more special to me than anything. That after all these years we could all get together as a family and create something magical is beautiful. We were supposed to do this a long time ago. It just took a while."
Filmed on the backdrop of an Atlanta Black Lives Matter rally, to me the timing of “We the Ones” and its video couldn’t be any more perfect. It’s a calm Monday Atlanta afternoon on August 7th and Sleepy’s been on the road with Big Boi touring and promoting the Organized Noize-executive-produced “Boomiverse” album from Big Boi. He's warm yet cool and collected as he casually explains how the EP came together while lamenting over America’s love affair with injustice and cognitive dissonance. Even with all the love received throughout the country–courtesy of Boomiverse and the Organized Noize EP, Sleepy isn't blinded by the reality of what’s happening outside of the Dungeon universe. “I think something is going to happen to really wake people up on a different level," he says. "Something is going to happen where everyone no matter what their race is will connect the dots and see that we can’t just keep living like this and allow hate to flourish," he explains. Strangely enough, in retrospect, I think Sleepy almost eerily predicted Charlottesville during our conversation.
“Tension and chaos is at an all-time high. On our EP, we felt like we had to say something for Black lives, for human rights, immigrants, women’s rights, Gay rights and anyone of any background who is tired of injustice and feels oppressed against a system that is not allowing them to be heard. It’s time to speak up and stand up against all injustices,” said Sleepy. "We can't ignore that hatred and racism exists. We have to acknowledge this truth. People have to put themselves in other people's shoes. We're just fighting to be treated equally. Something as simple as this shouldn't be a threat. One day they’ll see why people like Colin Kaepernick are taking a knee and it will probably bring people closer together,” Sleepy eluded.
"Something is going to make people understand why love has to overcome everything. I believe in love and my next album is centered around love. It's the first thing you experience when you're brought into this world and I think more people have to remember this. You have to embrace love and live your life in love," he says. Sleepy explains that the absence of love leaves room for hate and things that can go all the way wrong. When I tell him the single puts me in the mind frame of Marvin Gaye’s "What’s Going On" he happily says that that was exactly their intention. “It is like Whats Going On and War by Edwin Starr. I think the message is the same. We want people to be aware of what’s happening in our country. I think some people are. Some are not but you know– that's because they have to keep you distracted from paying attention to what is actually impacting us and our livelihood. All that it's going to take is one thing to wake people up," said Sleepy.
Five days later in Charlottesville, Virginia, a rally ignited by Nazi inspired white supremacist left 32-year-old, Heather Heyer dead. 20 year old, Deandre Harris was viciously beaten with metal poles and more than 20 people have been severely injured as a result of the riots.
Organized Noize's EP is available on iTunes and Sleepy Brown is currently working on new music inspired by his loverboy chronicles.
