AP History Month: Grace Jones Is Punk As Hell!

So it's Black History Month. Most media outlets are busy honoring the usual historical figures of African descent, as they should. But this is Afro-punk, and it's time to take minute to acknowledge the ultimate counter-culture soldier, Ms. Bad-Ass herself, singer/songwriter/performer/model/actress Grace Jones. I don't care how old you are, you need to know that Grace owns this shit, the timeless talent, the "fuck you" attitude, the outrageous fashion, the political lyrics. Don't come to me talking about your latest starlet of the moment, I'm talking about Legendary here, OK? :-P

Grace Jones Is Punk As Hell
by Lou Constant-Desportes

Born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Grace Jones moved to the U.S. as a teenager when her parents relocated. She comes from a very religious family, which seemingly gave her something to rebel against... She later became a model in New York City and got signed to Island Records in 1977. But we figure you know how to use Google, so instead of giving you a history class about her career and accomplishments, let's focus on her art and how unique and subversive it is.
First thing first, the woman is one of the most charismatic performance artists of our time. The kind of artist you have to see Live to fully understand the scope of their talent. The videos included in this article are there to show you what we're talking about, please watch them.
;) Let's start with a stunning performance during which Jones sings about a man "pulling up to her bumper with his long black limousine", while members of the British Royal Family are in the audience. She got balls, I tell ya!

(note the natural hair when she takes her hat off, while most famous Black female artists are busy
spending all their dough on lace front wigs made of European/Indian hair)

One of Jones' main qualities as an artist is her versatility. Don't even try to put her in a box. One day she's in Jamaica singing in patois with Sly & Robbie, the next she pulls off a jaw-dropping performance next to tenor Luciano Pavarotti, or at a high-profile fashion event. Proud of her Caribbean roots, she often includes reggae and other sounds from the islands in her recordings and shows.

Watch this:

But at the end of the day, if Jones' recording career spans 4 decades, that's because she wrote and recorded timeless music, with the help of inspired producers like Chris Blackwell, Nile Rodgers, and more recently, Tricky. One of the best examples is 'Slave To The Rhythm', produced by Trevor Horn:

'Hurricane', produced by Tricky - another powerful performance:

It's not all about hot tracks and extravagant shows though. Jones' songs often tackle social issues, politics... If you thought 'Slave To The Rhythm' was about shaking your thang at the club, think again. The lyrics are about "the system" and how many of us are slaves to a way of life that involves working 'for the man' and do what society expects from us in order to survive.
'Corporate Cannibal', the lead single from her latest album 'Hurricane', is about capitalism and corporations. Brilliant song and video...

As for her fashion icon status, well, the avant-garde, androgynous, extravagant looks speak for themselves. She's a muse to designers and artistic directors alike. No other pop artist is in her league. Except Madonna maybe... ALL the other ones a pale copies, you heard?!

In today's music world, few artists have such staying power. Like a force of nature, Grace Jones is a better performer than ever at 62, touring the world, giving one mind-blowing performance after the other, putting out the kind of music she wants to make. So yeah... Grace Jones is punk as hell! And that's the gotdamn truth.

Tags: Art, Black, Fashion, Grace, History, Jones, Month, Music, Performance, Politics, More…Rhythm, Slave, The, To, Videos

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Comment by BK_Malik on May 21, 2012 at 10:31pm: Oh yeah, mad props to Grace for having one of the tightest bands ever in existence - Sly, Robbie, Barry "White" Reynolds, and Wally Badarou!

Comment by BK_Malik on May 21, 2012 at 10:28pm: @Ta Riq Vladartz - you really can't confine Grace to any particular style of music, she can do any style that she wants to and does.

Comment by Jeremy Shatan on May 21, 2012 at 9:30pm: Just one of the best ever. The combination of her brilliant vocal approach with the Compass Point All-Stars has never been equalled and Hurricane is one of the most underrated albums of the decade! Happy birthday, Grace.

Comment by BK_Malik on May 19, 2012 at 10:53pm: Like many AP members, Grace shook up my life and my perception of music in a way that has never been the same. She is a true queen of Black music and a REAL icon.

Comment by Larry "Grey Eagle" Beaner on May 19, 2012 at 10:05am: She IS perfect; for me! Birthday wishes to the most daring & imaginative woman evah!! Did I mention sexiest as well? I don't mean as in revealing; I mean honestly frighteningly to-the-core sensuality. Her social commentary is also "right on time"!

Comment by Jordana LeSesne on May 19, 2012 at 3:38am: Grace Jones was a MAJOR influence on my life. I saw her videos when I was little and she showed me that anything was possible. And not only was anything possible. But no matter how odd, out of the mainstream and downright challenging you are, you still could be cool. In fact that WAS cool. She and Prince opened up my mind to a world of possibilities during my formative years. The value of that to the course of my life is immeasurable.

Thank you so much for all that you've given us as one of the original Afro-Punks Grace. You have been a pioneer and an inspiration for multiple generations. Enjoy your birthday. You rock and always will!

Comment by Suspect One on May 18, 2012 at 5:45pm: Grace is Always Fly!

Comment by Trysta_Ismene on May 18, 2012 at 3:08pm: Yeah, Happy B-Day G.J.! And for the record, Madonna doesn't hold a candle to her, in my humble opinion...Grace Jones is High Art incarnate...