Artist: Miko Marks
Hometown: Flint, Michigan
Song: “Hard Times”
Album: Our Country
Release Date: March 26, 2021
Label: Redtone Records
In Their Words: “This is our arrangement of an 1854 song by Stephen Foster. Those who know about Fosterās involvement with minstrel shows earlier in his life may wonder why I would include a song of his on my album. Much of his success came through the appropriation of Black culture and music, and for me this felt like an opportunity to take a song of his and reclaim it through my own voice as a Black artist. It was also a way for me to pay tribute to Mavis Staples, whose arrangement of this song is absolutely gorgeous. The lyrics also have particular significance that I think everyone can relate to because of the hard times weāve been going through this year. I love the melody and the mood. Itās sweet, sad, and hopeful all at the same time.” — Miko Marks
Photo credit: Beto Lopez, Mooncricket Films
