Adrian Dunn Releases The Black Messiah

Critically acclaimed multi-genre musical artist and social justice advocate Adrian Dunn has released a brand new concert film The Black Messiah.  Currently streaming exclusively on the Black Music Experience (BME), this project is a telling of the Christmas story from a modern Black Justice perspective.  A fusion of Gospel, hip hop, jazz and classical genres, this collection of eight songs all written by Dunn are meant to challenge, reshape and give the world a new perspective on George Frideric Handel’s Messiah.  On this project, Dunn is joined by his acclaimed group The Adrian Dunn Singers, an all-black professional vocal ensemble established in 2018.  Featured vocalists include: DarShaya Oden, Erica Renee, LaQuentin Jenkins and rapper/lyricist Tony Famous.

The Black Messiah is a piece that is rooted in Black liberation and recognizes the Christ as a Black man.  In this setting, Jesus is born in the back of a Jeep truck as a product of rape on the Westside of Chicago.  The Black Messiah lives in all of us.  This emphasizes the mentality of Black liberation and justice rests with all persons not just Black folks.  We all must do the work of Black Liberation because that’s the righteous work of God.

“This year we cannot tell the same Christmas story and sing the same Christmas songs that are rooted in anti-blackness and white terrorism,” says Dunn.  “The Black Messiah is a message of hope, peace, love, righteous anger, and the enduring idea of a Messiah who loves, celebrates and will protect at all cost black life.  He is an Avenger, a Super Hero, a deliverer, a fighter and a lover of all things Black.  Simply put it’s a love letter to Black America from Christ.”

As a music and vocal scholar, producer and singer/songwriter, Dunn composed each of the eight songs included on this project.  The album was recorded in its entirety in Chicago, IL which is where Adrian and his group are based.

To watch The Black Messiah in its entirety, viewers should visit the Black Music Experience website: WatchBME.com.