If All I Was Was Black

“Mavis has done it all and worked with just about everybody from Bob Dylan to Prince to Jeff Tweedy… She still is singing for justice and equality and influencing a new generation of musicians and fans.” -PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA MAVIS STAPLES is an American Music legend. She was at the forefront of the civil rights movement in the 1960’s, as singer for the legendary gospel group, The Staples Singers. Mavis, along with her father, Pops, and siblings marched and worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr on the fight for equality in this country. In December 2016, Mavis went to Washington, DC to receive the coveted Kennedy Center Honors from President Obama, with whom she has had a long standing friendship. Mavis invited Wilco frontman and dear friend, Jeff Tweedy as her guest for the weekend’s festivities. The two spent hours discussing the current events and how today’s fight for equality is very similar to those in the 60’s. Inspired by these events, Mavis and Jeff got together and wrote Mavis’ new album, If All I Was Was Black, produced by Jeff Tweedy. The new album is a perfect message for our time and is by far Mavis’ best work to date.