Russel Taylor Delivers a Message in “Wake Up”

WAKE UP, is a call to action for Black, Indigenous, People of Color and their Allies, and is written and produced by Russell Taylor, and co-written by the artist CROWN for IndigoBlue Music. The short music-film was directed by Dominga Martin on location in Boston in August 2020 and was created in conjunction with The Poor People’s Campaign voter outreach effort, “We Must Do MORE: Mobilizing, Organizing, Registering, Educating People for a Movement that Votes.” WAKE UP is available on all streaming and download platforms now.

“The precise role of the artist, then, is to illuminate that darkness, blaze roads through that vast forest, so that we will not, in all our doing, lose sight of its purpose, which is, after all, to make the world a more human dwelling place.” James Baldwin.

Russell shares, “creating this project was a beautiful partnership that showcases the power of art to sound the alarm. Sickness, social injustice, poverty and violence ebb and flow like the waves of our polluted oceans. It is time for us to Wake Up and take action —first, we must mobilize the BIPOC and Ally vote for a government that actually represents her people.”

Russell Taylor has been labeled as a “sanger” not to be confused with an ordinary singer. Simply put, when he sings he feels it from the deepest, most soul-saturated part of his being. So does anyone who is treated to the Rt! experience. It’s really real. He isn’t singing for social media likes or trappings. His has a true passion for the craft. His loyal fan base, loving dubbed #Souljers, will gladly second this emotion.

Growing up amidst the rich musical legacy of Philadelphia, Russell absorbed the sounds and style of the artists that came before him as well as his contemporaries. From Gamble and Huff to Jill Scott, Russell has been inspired by the authentic musicianship of fellow
Philly artists.

After successfully releasing the “War of Hearts” and “Tin Man: The Blue” projects, Russell Taylor has been able to capture the attention and hearts of music lovers, leading to sold out shows at the Apollo and Blues Alley, a video for NPR’s Tiny Desk and multiple media appearances in major cities across the U.S., not including the enormous amount of attention he has received from the VH1 franchise. After being voted one of the network’s You Oughta Know Artists in its first ever crowd sourcing contest, Russell’s music stayed in heavy rotation on the network. He was also featured on VH1’s The Morning Buzz Live and the 60 second mini-performance segment Stop/Watch. Music fans may have also heard War of Hearts on television shows like The Fosters, Degrassi the Next Generation, Atlanta Exes and Black Ink Crew. Russell says, “I live a life of gratitude. I am grateful for this God-given ability and that I have been so well-received for so long.

WakeUpthe.Vote is a national initiative led by artist Russell Taylor to engage potential voters in the BIPOC+Ally community ahead of the November election, with a goal to reverse the lower poll turnout seen in the 2016 presidential election. Learn more at WakeUpthe.Vote.