VIDEOS: Note To Self – The Context Behind the Series of Album Visuals | Jah9

As we do our best to navigate these unprecedented times, it will also serve us to remember we are not alone. More than ever, Africa’s arms are outstretched. Note To Self, the album, is soundtrack music; perfect in many ways for this time. The album’s time and place of release coincide with a deeper message; that it’s time to go back to where it all began. Now nestled in the heart of east Africa, Jah9 is sowing seeds with the intention of building bridges that the diaspora can use to return, acclimate, learn and settle down.

Having released the final music video in her series of album visuals, Jah9 is ready to share the context behind them.

No actions go unnoticed and I am ever reminded that what we pay, will be weighed, when we meet our judgement day. -9

“These four visual offerings form a whole, combining my album’s core themes into different visual tales that connect at the centre. Here, my transition from awareness, to acting on awareness to then accepting responsibility for my actions in this state of awareness is represented. I speak about the karmic cycle and it’s real implications for the individual relative to their actions on “Each Man”. No actions go unnoticed and I am ever reminded that what we pay, will be weighed, when we meet our judgement day. For I, it represents a coming of age, an initiation into the real meaning of social & personal responsibility, an understanding that fosters self discipline and strength of will; the key tools for rising above karmic forces.

Ma’at (Each Man)“Even as my search takes me inward, with the practice of ritual and discipline, I can attest that it is all best applied with the supplement of a guide. With Highly (Get To Me) , I was able to distill some of the conversations close to my heart, about the role of the guide in our lives. In stories of old, the motif of the guide serves as a cautionary companion on the hero’s journey. I have His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie, a marker against which I contrast the routes in my own path, and the path of others. These themes and transitions are visited on the songs throughout the album, and then revisited in narrative form through this video trilogy and the Note To Self Album Documentary. Together they present a summary of my latest effort, a self thesis.

Highly (Get To Me)“Note To Self is my most personal album to date, so much of what was recorded during this journey to its completion are simply conversations with myself about myself. Note To Self: An Introduction, serves as a reminder that even the most polished gems went through a process. This documentary is about the process of writing, putting together instruments and melodies, filming, and amidst all that creation, practicing self love. It shows some very real intimate moments where I speak candidly about my process of self study. Through this collection of moments, my listeners are able to experience the making of Note To Self, the album and what to expect when listening.

The narrative that manifests within the visual is one of liberation and the search to find peace within.” -9

“Okay (Note To Self) is the titular track from the album and forms the core. Chronixx put a verse on a track I produced for my previous album 9 and I knew I still wanted to create something together with him from scratch. The verses he wrote for the song note to self were as though he took them from my own heart! And his contribution inspired even the way I approached the delivery. This song most suitably defines the term mantra music, it was written as a reminder to myself and a reminder to listeners as well. All will be well in time. The visual for this track takes the themes of mediation and accentuates them with slow moving transitions, smooth angles and color grading that comforts the eyes. The narrative that manifests within the visual is one of liberation and the search to find peace within.” -9

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