"Selfish Soul" Is An Anthem for Black Women In Their Selfish Era
Inspired by India Arie’s “I Am Not My Hair.”
Violinist and singer-songwriter Sudan Archives‘ latest release is an ode to Black women and their relationship with their hair — a twisted love story riddled with Eurocentric beauty standards. Her goal with the track was to create an India Arie “I Am Not My Hair” inspired anthem, marking a new era for Black women everywhere.
Sudan Archives’ eclectic and vibrant music video marks a beautiful revolution. In recent years — especially after the pandemic — Black women have empowered themselves by pouring into their own cups and becoming more selfish. This has been seen in the rise of Black women aligning with their soft girl era.
Edwig Henson
There’s a learning curve with prioritizing yourself while balancing community and unlearning toxic standards you’ve had to abide by. This new era is about being completely authentic and in Sudan Archives’ case, nothing from her hair to her personality will be managed by another. She is simply her.
“I feel like there’s an American standard of what beautiful hair is, and I wanted to show in this video that’s not what all beauty is; to showcase different hairstyles and different types of women and their hair,” she shared in the press release.
The music video for “Selfish Soul” follows the musician as she ponders what will make her beautiful in the eyes of the beholder — in this case society and its chaotic dating pool. She questions whether her lover will still have interest in her if her hair isn’t bone straight “like those girls on front covers.”
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As the song makes its way to its full circle meaning, the multi-hyphenate artist learns that none of these standards matters. “About time I embrace myself and soul… Time I feed my selfish soul,” her lyrics scream.
But just in case her eccentric nature didn’t deliver the message clearly, she plays the violin upside down on a pole to help you visualize.
Indulge in the full video above.
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