Bay Area group Artelia Green has released “Love Ain’t Paid No Rent,” the latest from their forthcoming LP, In No Particular Order,” out March 8, 2024 via Redtone Records. The song, a playful depiction of the love rollercoaster, resonates with all who have experienced the exhilaration and pain of romance. It uplifts spirits, suggesting perseverance in love, irrespective of past heartbreaks.
“Love Ain’t Paid No Rent,” follows the album’s first single, “Ghetto Children Funk,” a blend of soul, funk, and hip hop that “celebrates the resilience of BIPOC youth in the hood,” says band founder Tiffani Marie. “Inspired by a youth-led participatory action research (“YPAR”) project conducted in collaboration with former California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris, the song sheds light on stressors such as gentrification and racism, which are referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (“ACEs”) and can result in chronic illnesses and early mortality.”
The song’s video delves into the historical context of state-sanctioned violence and its contemporary impact on children, emphasizing the concept of “vertical forms of violence” within policy decisions that neglect children’s well-being. The narrative centers around The Bell Man, a Bayview-Hunter’s Point legend who was an educator and activist but ultimately disappeared. Drawing from African concepts like ubuntu, the video highlights how we all bear the weight of these traumas and can also be marginalized without critical interventions. The video concludes with a critical reimagining of The Bell Man’s potential if provided with vital childhood resources. It serves as a call to action, urging us to address the link between state-sanctioned violence and ACEs while empowering us to heal ourselves and lead meaningful lives.
Helmed by Tiffani Marie, an author, educator, organizer, activist, and music-maker, Artelia Green was birthed from a fusion of Frisco swagger, Arkansas’ ancestral roots, and the enduring spirit of Yoruba culture. Artelia Green stands as a nexus toward critical thought and transformative action. The group stitches together the soulful strains of funk, soul, gospel, and djembe, creating an immersive soundscape that transports listeners to another time and space.
More than a musical experience, it’s an invitation—a call to acknowledge the raw reality of Black suffering and, more importantly, its transcendence. Channeling inspirations from legends like Parliament Funkadelic, Lauryn Hill, The Roots, and more, they narrate a timeless tale of love and healing.
The tracks of In No Particular Order hail the legacy of hip-hop, while exploring the depths of often-overlooked history, and traverse the intricate landscapes of love, loss, and healing – all bearing a deeply-rooted connection to community and culture.
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