Don’t Talk to Me About Racism if You Don’t Know Earth, Wind & Fire’s Catalog
It’s time for a musical litmus test for enlightenment
Update 6/7/22: Level has a new home. You can read this article and other new articles by visiting LEVELMAN.com.
After the most recent Verzuz event this past Sunday, I’ve come to a social determination: There can be no further race conversations with people who are not familiar with Earth, Wind & Fire’s catalog.
The Verzuz format is so simple that it’s collectively embarrassing that no one thought to put it into motion prior to the pandemic: Put two legendary musical acts in the same room and make them have cookout debates over whose catalog is better. Almost none of the acts bring competitive energy to the challenge, with most artists appropriately deferring to each other’s greatness throughout. The shows are understood to be celebrations of artistry and the resilience of Black skin care.
I’d been pining for a battle between standard-bearers Earth, Wind & Fire and the indefatigable Isley Brothers since the early days of Verzuz. While neither group was hurting for royalties, it isn’t hyperbole to say that they’re two of the greatest musical acts of the 20th century. Any legitimate conversation about influential musical artists from the last century has…
