Rhiannon Giddens Instagram – So it only seems fair to feature my actual banjo nephew on this, the day of his birth. Justin Harrington, aka Demeanor @demxmusic, has been doing the impossible – combining clawhammer banjo, bones, beats and rap while advocating for rap as a folk form. He attended the Black Banjo Gathering at age 5, where he received his first pair of bones from elder Cliff Irvin, and has since soaked up every bit of vibe from his aunt’s folk world and his own hip hop world.
He is also a fierce organizer, being an important voice on the Greensboro scene for truth and justice. His groundbreaking rap set at the Newport Folk Festival paved the way for Killer MIke, who is there this year, and he is active in the playback theatre scene in North Carolina; he also tours with Jake Blount (he is featured on that Tiny Desk). He is also a presenter and creator of the Underground Everywhere video series. He is a young man to be proud of, even if we weren’t related.
Git it, Demeanor!
Pic by @karencoxphotography | Posted on 26/Feb/2024 00:04:23
