Saul Williams, actor, poet, activist and musician has recently licensed his 2004 song “List of Demands (Reparations)” to shoemaker Nike for their new advertisement campaign. The commercial is below.
To some, the song may be an unusual choice for the billion dollar corporation, as it uses lyrics like “call the police, I’m strapped to the teeth,” to emphasize the author’s stressing reparations. Williams has never veered from bold writing, often criticizing R. Kelly, southern rap and other elements of contemporary culture.
Williams has been working with The FADER label, from the makers of the acclaimed magazine since 2004. Last year, The Inevitable Rise And Liberation of NiggyTardust was released digitally at a pay-what-you-like rate, and the David Bowie-referencing work was acclaimed for its experimental covering of various Rock songs.
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Williams has worked with Hip Hop artists including Blackalicious, Sage Francis and Sway & Tech. His debut 2001 album Amethyst Rock Star, was produced by Rick Rubin. Of his four books, Williams‘ most recent is 2006’s The Dead Emcee Scrolls, an anthology of the poet’s writings on and inspired by Hip Hop.
