Fantastic Negrito | credit: Johnny Galvan
Fantastic Negrito reveals desperation and urgency in his new album PLEASE DON’T BE DEAD
“He’s the story of a man who struggled to ‘make it’, who ‘got it’, and who ‘lost it’ all.” Fantastic Negrito has been through hell and back over the years. The Oakland native has used his struggles as a tool to make meaningful, inspiring music through its narrative and sound, representing that old school blues rock and his black roots. After winning the inaugural Tiny Desk Contest from NPR Music, then his 2016 album The Last Days Of Oakland, Fantastic Negrito followed up with PLEASE DON’T BE DEAD via Cooking Vinyl and Blackball Universe.
The eleven track collection reveals desperation and urgency, and Fantastic Negrito says it is “for anyone who ever felt like it was over yet hoped it wasn’t.” He wrote this album based on his fears with the uncertainty of how his children’s lives will turn out due to the chaotic society we now live in. Each song shreds light on the darkness that waiting for you at every corner. As he continues:
“Will someone shoot up their school? Will they become addicted to prescription pills? Will they wind up on the street, sleeping under freeways and overpasses? Will the police murder my son? I came up with the name Please Don’t Be Dead because I felt like we’d lost of our way as a society – and I know what happens when you chase the wrong things. It’s the story of my life.”
Along with the new record, he also released a music video for his single titled “The Duffler.” Directed by Freddy Macdonald, the whole video is focused on Fantastic Negrito and begins with him in an empty field, doing jumping jacks, as you hear fans in the background cheering. Then the video cuts to the 49-year-old on stage giving a wild performance filled with violent dancing, smooth guitar riffs, and the sound of his glorious gritty vocals.
Fantastic Negrito will be embarking on a National Tour in support of PLEASE DON’T BE DEAD which hits including Pasadena, CA’s Arroyo Seco Weekend, Newport Folk Festival, and AFROPUNK FEST as well as the 25th Annual XPoNential Music Festival along with The War On Drugs, David Byrne, Sylvan Esso, and more.
Listen to Fantastic Negrito’s record PLEASE DON’T BE DEAD and check his tour dates below.
Tour Dates:
JUN 24 Arroyo Seco Weekend Pasadena, CA
JUN 26 Club Congress Tucson, AZ
JUN 27 Last Exit Live Phoenix, AZ
JUN 29 Bunkhouse Saloon Las Vegas, NV
JUN 30 The Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, UT
JUL 01 Globe Hall Denver, CO
JUL 05 Antone’s Austin, TX
JUL 06 The Bronze Peacock at House of Blues Houston Houston, TX
JUL 08 The Cambridge Room at House Of Blues Dallas, TX
JUL 10 THE OLD ROCK HOUSE St Louis, MO
JUL 11 Knuckleheads Saloon Kansas City, MO
JUL 13 The Bourbon Lincoln, NE
JUL 14 North Liberty Blues and BBQ North Liberty, IA
JUL 17 City Winery Nashville, TN
JUL 18 Proud Larry’s Oxford, MS
JUL 21 The Masquerade Atlanta, GA
JUL 24 Motorco Music Hall Durham, NC
JUL 25 Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Washington, DC
JUL 27 Newport Folk Festivao (SOLD OUT) Newport, RI
JUL 28 XPN Fest Camden, NJ
AUG 03 A Summer’s Tale Luhmuhlen, Germany
AUG 04 Weinturm Openair Bad Windsheim, Germany
AUG 06 VEGA – Musikkens Hus, Lille VEGA København V, Denmark
AUG 10 Nell’s Jazz and Blues London, United Kingdom
AUG 11 Boomtown Festival Winchester, United Kingdom
AUG 12 Zomerparkfest Venlo, Netherlands
AUG 14 Place des Palais Bruxelles, Belgium
AUG 25 Commodore Barry Park Brooklyn, NY
AUG 26 Commodore Barry Park Brooklyn, NY
SEP 02 Blues Views and BBQ Festival Westport, CT