The track features three spoken-word samples, interludes from George Carlin, Jay Smooth, and Nina Simone. The latter, he says, in which Simone discusses artists’ responsibilities in society, has been one of his favorite quotes for a while.

“I believe it’s an artist’s role to reflect society; to provoke, educate, comfort, offer relief,” he says. “But I also feel that, if an artist decides that they are going to speak on a political issue, that they seek out those on the front lines of that issue, i.e organizers and activists.

“There are so many well-intentioned artists who try to speak up on issues but their analysis ends up sounding weak and/or incomplete. I am blessed to be surrounded by — and accountable to — many Bay Area activists that have been organizing for years around issues like gentrification, police violence, the school-to-prison pipeline, and violence against women. They’ve definitely informed how I speak and write about the problems that impact our communities.”

Q.Logo.Break

Oh, and yeah: I post newish local songs I like on Fridays now. Got something I should hear? esilvers@kqed.org.

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Kiwi Illafonte's 'Seeds' Taps Nina Simone For an Uplifting Protest Message