JARO Podcast: Prince Cre McEntyre On How Creativity Remains Resilient Through Times of Adversity
In episode 301 of JARO’s Podcast offering, Prince Cre McEntyre reunites with Tomeka M. Winborne for another essential conversation. Last year, McEntyre became one of JARO podcast’s first guests, speaking with Winborne about navigating mental health issues and his stage play, My Life Matters, in episode 102. Now, the adept playwright, songwriter, and actor is back for a timely discussion about his latest project, and how creativity prevails through pandemics, racial injustice, and other tragedies.
McEntyre’s musical EP “Project One Race United: Protest Music Documentary” was birthed through his personal experiences with grief and calamity due to COVID-19 and the ongoing murder of Black lives by the hands of police. ”Project One Race United came to me after losing over a half dozen of friends to Coronavirus in the state of New Jersey in one month, and it broke my heart. With all that’s going on in the world with the virus and the violence, I had to turn to music to help restore the joy in my heart,” he said.
“Protest Music Documentary” features a variety of musicians from all walks of life. Although they have never met, each artist is connected through their passion for music and standing up against racial injustice. Celebrated singer and songwriter Wé McDonald, who finished as second runner-up on The Voice in 2016, is the artist that headlines the project. The first song that has been released, titled “Shaking My Head (Savior Master Healer),” is sung by McDonald and features New Jersey-based rapper XEL. Written by Levi Little of the Grammy-winning band Blackstreet, “Shaking My Head” is a faith-based anthem that serves as a reminder to call on a higher power to help guide us through these trying times.
Other artists on the EP include Alyssa Curto, Isha Mar’ae, Giavanni Dené, and Matt Pelt. “Protest Music Documentary” will be released mid-August on all digital streaming platforms.
The engrossing conversation goes in-depth about both the power of music and the political unrest in America. McEntyre discusses the songwriting process and shares snippets from tracks on the EP, while also emphasizing the importance of using our voices to condemn racial injustice, the reality of being a Black man in America from his own perspective, and more. Listen now to the full 44-minute podcast.
