Theodor Black is on a powerful tirade for racial justice in explosive new single “Sub Culture”

Staying committed to the lo-fi sound that's becoming Theodor Black's trademark, “Sub Culture” is the most honest and raw offering than anything the South Londoner has put forward to date. His potent vocals are the driving force on a track that's openly critical of the police and the treatment of black women and black culture.

“Give the culture back before we clash,” he demands in an attempt to highlight the issue of appropriation of black cultural practices, later stating: “melanin skin don’t make me a dealer”, bringing attention to the damaging stereotypes attached to the black community in Britain.

“I wrote it about a year ago and funnily enough it just seemed to fit into the context of the times we’re currently in,” says Black. “I was angry about a lot of things when I wrote it, my filter was completely switched off and I ended up writing what I would say is one of the most honest pieces of music that I’ve composed so far.”

Written against the backdrop of stop-and-searches in the UK that are shown to disproportionately target black people, Black’s anger remains at the forefront as he hammers home the injustices at the heart of the track. He uses a spoken word sample that demands fairer policing practices in the UK: “Young people are not saying they’re against stop and search,” the sample begins, “they’re against the overzealousness, the aggression that is being used disproportionately when they’re doing their stop and searches against innocent people.”

The accompanying video was shot on location in his home city and harmonises perfectly with the message in Black’s lyrics. “The visuals are very fitting and really tie in well with the song,” Black says, “it’s raw and expressive of the issues that we as the black community currently face.”

Theodor Black is demonstrating his ability to rise to the moment, offering strength as well as defiance in his music.