Atlantic Records has released a new musical project entitled “On Imagination” — a tribute to women of color featuring singers-songwriters Roberta Flack , Valerie Simpson, Dawn Richard and Valerie June as well as Rep. Maxine Waters, author Danyel Smith, former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and others,

Produced by singer-songwriter Ebonie Smith, the album features poetry by June Jordan, Gwendolyn Bennett, Phillis Wheatley, Georgia Douglas Johnson, and more, brought to life by the aforementioned vocalists and others.

“On Imagination” was first unveiled in commemoration of Juneteenth with a special performance of June Jordan’s landmark 1982 poem, “Moving Towards Home,” read by activist-author Dr. Angela Y. Davis.

“The poems featured on this album are restorative,” says Ebonie Smith. “They helped me recover and find peace after Covid. The language is challenging, requiring the listener to actively engage for a deeper understanding, but those who put in the effort will find the words of these poets truly powerful and transformative. Following Takeoff’s passing,” she continued, referring to the 2022 murder of Migos’ founding member, “I turned to these poems to help me heal and make sense of the tragedies within and surrounding hip-hop culture. The language on this album helped me find strength during that time.”

TRACKLIST:

1. “Dare to Dream” (2022) – composed by Genesis Briggs and performed by Genesis Be

2. “She Came Home Blameless” (1971) – written by Maya Angelou and sung by Roberta Flack and Valerie Simpson

3. “Calling Dreams” (1920) – created by Georgia Douglas Johnson and rendered by Flyana Boss

4. “Songs For The People” (1895) – authored by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper and voiced by Lori Lightfoot

5. “On Imagination” (1773) – written by Phillis Wheatley and brought to life by Danyel Smith

6. “Make My Name” (2023) – penned by adrienne maree brown and presented by Representative Maxine Waters

7. “Douce Souvenance” (1920) – written by Jessie Redmon Fauset and brought to life by Ebonie Smith

8. “Double Standard” (1895) – crafted by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper and interpreted by Divinity Roxx

9. “Fantasy” (1927) – composed by Gwendolyn Benne and given voice by Dawn Richard

10. “Moving Toward Home” (1982) – penned by June Jordan and brought to life by Dr. Angela Y. Davis

11. “On the Death of a Gentlemen” (1773) – authored by Phillis Wheatley and rendered by Tarriona “Tank” Ball

12. “I Sit and Sew” (1918) – composed by Alice Moore Dunbar-Nelson and interpreted by Valerie June