Sweet Honey In The Rock® stands as a monumental force in music, a collective that transcends mere performance to embody a powerful African American organization. For over four decades, this Grammy-nominated female a cappella group has captivated audiences worldwide with their vibrant sound and unwavering commitment to empowerment, education, and entertainment. More than just musicians, they are cultural ambassadors, weaving intricate vocal tapestries that resonate with messages of social consciousness and spiritual fortification. Their enduring relevance is a testament to their artistic innovation and their profound connection to the human experience.
Currently, Sweet Honey In The Rock is comprised of the dynamic voices of Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, Nitanju Bolade Casel, and Aisha Kahlil, complemented by the rich bass lines of Romeir Mendez. Together, they create a live concert experience that is both electrifying and deeply moving. Their performances are renowned for their theatrical flair, showcasing the breathtaking versatility of the human voice in a 360-degree sonic spectrum. Year after year, audiences return, drawn to the kinetic energy and cultured artistry that defines Sweet Honey In The Rock.
Their journey spans over four decades, marked by a consistent dedication to creating music that matters. Sweet Honey In The Rock’s songs are anthems of positive change, infused with love and a potent call for social justice. They are activists in harmony, using their platform to advocate for a better world, addressing critical issues with unwavering passion. This commitment is powerfully evident in their 24th recording, #LoveInEvolution, their first studio album in nine years and a project that pulses with contemporary energy.
Released through Appleseed Recordings and their own She Rocks-5 label, #LoveInEvolution is a vibrant tapestry of sound. The album showcases the group’s signature a cappella foundation, seamlessly blending world music, gospel, and folk influences with dynamic elements of hip hop, jazz, and Rhythm & Blues. This sonic evolution serves as the perfect backdrop for their most compelling collection of original songs and reimagined covers to date. Sweet Honey In The Rock’s creative process is deeply collaborative, with the quartet often composing as an ensemble, developing new material through improvisational exploration.
The songs on #LoveInEvolution are undeniably timely, ripped from the headlines of today’s complex world. They fearlessly confront systemic injustice, addressing issues of racial inequality, police brutality, gun control, and the urgent call of the Black Lives Matter movement. These are not just songs; they are sonic reflections of our times, delivered with the unwavering conviction that defines Sweet Honey In The Rock.
“Second Line Blues,” the album’s stark second single, exemplifies this unflinching approach. Driven by a haunting snare drum cadence, the song becomes a somber roll call of innocent lives lost – Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, and the children of Sandy Hook. These are names etched in our collective consciousness, victims of violence ranging from senseless acts to abuses of power. Carol Maillard, a founding member, poignantly notes the grim reality, “Since we started writing this piece, we’ve had to keep adding names…and sadly, we’ll be adding more before things change.” The accompanying music video serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform, demanding accountability for people’s rights and stricter scrutiny for those entrusted to police communities.
Harry Belafonte, a legendary voice for social justice, eloquently captures the essence of Sweet Honey In The Rock’s impact:
“…I have always believed art is the conscience of the human soul and that artists have the responsibility not only to show life as it is but to show life as it should be. … Sweet Honey In The Rock has withstood the onslaught. She has been unprovoked by the 30 pieces of silver. Her songs lead us to the well of truth that nourishes the will and courage to stand strong. She is the keeper of the flame.”
This powerful endorsement underscores the group’s role as not just performers, but as vital voices of conscience.
The album continues to explore themes of lament and remembrance with “I Don’t Want No Trouble At The River.” This poignant track is elevated by a recitation of Dr. Maya Angelou’s profound poem, “When Great Trees Fall,” a powerful tribute granted by her estate. In contrast, “A Prayer For The World” offers a message of hope, seamlessly blending the timeless words of “The Lord is My Shepherd” (Psalm 23) with a contemporary hip hop beat, creating a unique and uplifting expression of faith.
Nitanju Bolade Casel’s songwriting brilliance shines in “Oh, Sankofa.” The song serves as a compelling history lesson, recounting the tragic story of Greenwood, Oklahoma’s Black Wall Street and its destruction by racist violence in the 1920s. This track echoes her previous work, such as “Give the People Their Right to Vote,” which illuminated the historical disenfranchisement of Washington, D.C. residents.
Aisha Kahlil’s innovative sonic artistry is evident in “The Living Waters.” This track is an immersive aural experience, a mournful cry addressing the devastating pollution of our planet’s waterways. It serves as both a headphone journey and a powerful lament for the senseless destruction of natural resources, drawing a direct line to tragedies like the Flint, Michigan water crisis. “The Living Waters” finds a kindred spirit in Aisha’s arrangement of Marvin Gaye’s timeless ecological anthem, “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology),” a song Sweet Honey In The Rock has performed for years, often incorporating spoken word introductions about Gaye’s life and the significance of his masterpiece album, What’s Going On.
Reflecting on their musical roots, Maillard explains, “’Mercy’ stems from a 2010 effort we made to take politically conscious songs from the 60s and 70s by Stevie Wonder, The Isley Brothers and others, and then juxtapose them with sentiments from today.” She emphasizes the historical context of their music, noting that when Sweet Honey In The Rock began in 1973, socially conscious music was prevalent across genres, from Curtis Mayfield to Bob Dylan to James Brown, all stemming from the Civil Rights movement. This legacy of socially engaged artistry is deeply embedded in Sweet Honey In The Rock’s DNA. They further honor this lineage with their rendition of another Gaye classic from What’s Going On, the soul-stirring prayer, “Wholy Holy,” previously recorded by Aretha Franklin.
James Baldwin’s powerful words resonate with the group’s ethos:
“If I love you then I have to make you conscious of the things that you do not see.”
This quote encapsulates Sweet Honey In The Rock’s commitment to using their music to awaken consciousness and inspire action.
While #LoveInEvolution confronts weighty issues, it also embraces themes of optimism, faith, self-affirmation, and romantic love. Carol’s “Same Ol’ Same Ol’ Love” injects soulful blues and a touch of fantasy, exploring the rekindling of deep emotional connections. The album also features the infectiously percussive “Sweet Sweet Honey!” – the group’s 40th-anniversary theme song – and the Latin-infused “This Place Inside Where I Can Rest,” a celebration of inner peace and spiritual grounding.
Perhaps poised for mainstream radio success is the album’s buoyant lead single and video, “IDK But I‘m LOL!” This hand-clapping anthem of hope embodies the core of Sweet Honey In The Rock’s a cappella sound, blending a catchy hook with contemporary lyrics that appeal to audiences of all ages.
Since their inception in 1973 in Washington, D.C., founded by Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, Sweet Honey In The Rock has consistently evolved. From their beginnings as part of the D.C. Black Repertory Theater Company, with original members Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, and Mie, they have become international ambassadors of a cappella excellence and lyrical depth. They are musical missionaries of equality, empowerment, education, peace, love, solidarity, and non-denominational spirituality. Celebrated for their captivating live performances, Sweet Honey In The Rock has amassed an impressive discography of 24 albums, including several dedicated to children. Their double CD, SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK: A Tribute…Live! Jazz at Lincoln Center (2012), is a powerful homage to vocal icons Abbey Lincoln, Odetta, Miriam Makeba, and Nina Simone, featuring collaborations with a jazz trio of “Honey Men.”
Sweet Honey In The Rock’s global reach is undeniable. They have graced prestigious venues worldwide, performing at royal command concerts and international festivals. Their 2015 alone included four U.S. Embassy tours, taking their message of music and activism to Ethiopia, Peru, Jamaica, and Swaziland. Their performances at the Mountain Bushfire Music Festival in Swaziland and the Festival of Voices in Tasmania highlight their international acclaim. Their consistent presence at Carnegie Hall, with 32 appearances as of February 2016, further cements their status as a major force in music.
Their innovative spirit extends beyond performance. Sweet Honey In The Rock was commissioned by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Company to create the score for their 50th-anniversary program, “Go In Grace.” They also debuted their orchestral collaboration, “Symphony 10: Affirmations for a New World,” with the National Symphony Orchestra and other major orchestras, showcasing their ability to transcend genre boundaries. The group was further honored to perform at the National Memorial Service for Nelson Mandela, and have received distinguished awards from organizations like Search For Common Ground and the National Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Their enduring appeal is evident in their status as a favorite group of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, having performed at the White House by request.
Featured in two PBS television specials, including American Masters, Sweet Honey In The Rock remains a beloved and resilient ensemble. Over their 40-plus year history, they have seamlessly integrated the talents of 24 remarkable women into their signature sound, constantly evolving while staying true to their core mission. Even briefly expanding to a sextet before returning to a quartet, they have consistently embraced change and innovation. Their recent holiday single and video, “Silent Night,” supports their annual “Celebrate the Holydays” program, showcasing their diverse musical and spiritual reach. Fans eagerly follow their journey on social media and their website.
“We are very forward thinking as an organization, constantly reevaluating how we can express concepts to uplift and create change through our music and concerts,” Maillard states. “#LoveInEvolution has a more contemporary sound and feel because as people in the group grow and change, we want to hear different things, feel different things, and bring fresh elements to our presentation.” Sweet Honey In The Rock continues to be a vital and evolving force, their music a timeless testament to the power of the human voice and the enduring quest for a better world.
