The first thing you might notice about the up-and-coming metal band Unlocking the Truth, is that these kids are exactly that: kids. Β
Malcolm Brickhouse, Alec Atkins, and Jarad Dawkins are all just 12 and 13 years old. Β And they just got signed for a bonafide record deal from Sony. Β The other thing you might have noticed is that they’re African-American… playing heavy metal, which just isn’t the norm in the industry. Β Of course, there are notable exceptions like A Band Called Death” and “Living Color”, but generally speaking, black kids playing metal is unique.
And anytime something is unique, it can be divisive. Β We found these comments online: Michael believes, “Sony is exploiting them because of their age and race. Β It’s all about money.” Β But RJ says, “They’re “the new definition of ‘black metal’.” Β Vincent adds, “You have three black teens from Brooklyn playing metal at a sophisticated level. That’s not something you come across every day.”
And that has a grain of truth to it. Β Just look at your radio dial. Β There’s a reason stations program certain music for certain audiences. Β It’s called marketing. Β But things just seem so categorized according to color. Β So our Man on the Edge, Robert Wilder, hit the streets asking: when it comes to music, does race have a sound?
