Georgia Anne Muldrow became the first female signed to Stones Throw Records and released a gem in her solo debut, Olesi: Fragments of An Earth. She followed it up with collaborations in and out of the studio with Dudley Perkins, showcasing her vocals, as well as her beats. Earlier this spring Muldrow made the party even bigger with the release of Ms. One, a true posse records featuring Dudley Perkins, Black Milk, Big Pooh, and others over her soundscapes. We caught up with Georgia to discuss her latest release, which also serves as the precursor to her Olesi follow-up, Omsindo dropping July 17th along with Dudley Perkins’ new record, Holy Smokes…We dig into them, the power of positive thinking, George Bush’s restless nights and more…
RubyHornet: I gotta be honest, Ms. One is a little bit overwhelming, and seems a little scattered. How do you describe it?
Georgia Anne Muldrow: I’d describe the compilation as an inter-generational piece…a multi -dimensional piece that ain’t striving to be cooler than thou or whatever. And that’s only a fraction of the fam! You would have really been overwhelmed if that had you going.
RubyHornet: In terms of who you worked with on the album, how did you go about choosing the LP’s participants?
Georgia Anne Muldrow: Very naturally.
RubyHornet: One overarching theme that I found is not being afraid of love, and I think that even comes in the scatteredness of the project over all, like accepting love in many forms. Am I on to something, or way off?
Georgia Anne Muldrow: Love is the key. It’s what sustains true family! You on to something.
RubyHornet: You say, ‘hey you, man who killed the world, bring this world back to life” on “Mr. President”. Is that straight at President Bush, or a type of man in general?
Georgia Anne Muldrow: Well, the song is aimed at ALL European-styled authoritarians that feel a lustful obligation to tap this precious Earth for all it is and for all it’s got. Bush is that type but he ain’t the only one…Obama be pushing them red buttons too. Sheer institutionalized insanity….AND WE ALL PLAY A PART IN IT!
RubyHornet: I often wonder what Bush must think of himself, or his presidency. I honestly don’t know how he can keep from crying. Any ideas, or do you think he is just as disappointed in himself as we are?
Georgia Anne Muldrow: I don’t care about him OR his mama. Hope they all get what’s coming to them reeeal soon.
RubyHornet: Some tracks on the album credit Ms. One, others Georia Anne Muldrow. I’m under the impression that both of those monikers are yours, is that true, and if so is the name difference indicative of style differences?
Georgia Anne Muldrow: I got mad monikers…but Ms.One is what Declaime named me for being on the one with making beats and rhyming. Georgia is a composer/singer.
RubyHornet: I’ve read some reviews of the album, and some reviewers describe your sound as “earthy” what do you take that to mean, is it accurate?
Georgia Anne Muldrow: I wouldn’t avoid that term…I love Planet Earth. I am presently working on Her behalf. So I really ain’t trippin off nothing but how these babies have to inherit the fruits of our hardheaded ways.
RubyHornet: How does this album compare to your solo material as far as your feelings of ownership of the project?
Georgia Anne Muldrow: I take a backseat and watch it bloom on this record. It’s a shared effort….
RubyHornet: Your debut album was titled Olesi: Fragments of an Earth, and much of the record centered on New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina. Does the title have anything to do with “earth” meaning woman from the 5% nation?
Geogria Anee Muldrow: Sure, in the sense that the Black woman is a fractal image of the universe, just as the Earth can be at times….later on I found out that olesi meant oil in a foreign language-so it’s all related.
RubyHornet: I know your fans are still looking for a proper follow-up, do you see yourself doing another true solo album?
Georgia Anne Muldrow: It’s already done. July 17th Dudley and I are releasing solo albums. His is called Holy Smokes, and mine is called Umsindo (which means ‘sound or noise’ in isiZulu). Don’t sleep…we stay workin’ on it!
RubyHornet: Your stepfather believes that you can get anything you want if you want it bad enough. Do you agree? What do you think you want the most?
Georgia Anne Muldrow: Well….I think he was speaking of the visioning process, which is an ancient African technology. Wanting something bad don’t cut it, as we all know. Because the Universe cannot be pimped. The realm of appearance can be easily manipulated, but not the great black mother called the Universe. My people represent Her, and we are looking for Freedom and Justice.
RubyHornet: What do you want to happen or come from your music? What is a best case scenario for Ms. One?
Georgia Anne Muldrow: Best case scenario: a newfound courage to rebuild our collective subconscious to a much higher level..and necessary cardiac arrests to those who would never cooperate.
