Photo by @olea.lens

It is imperative to remember that a simple change in political regime is not a cure-all for society’s ills. Problems persist in our global society, and one of the primary functions of art is to address those issues. So when you hear a piece of art described as “politically-charged,” remember that such a term often works to limit that art – and the discourse it raises around the issues it addresses – in  a sort of vacuum; we admire the work and the message, but fail to take to heart the lesson that we, as an audience interacting with art, have a role to play in working for change. 

Milla Thyme – a rapper, bassist, and producer hailing from Montreal – is using his new single and video for “Borders” to create a dialogue surrounding the necessity of respecting and honoring Indiginous communities around the world. 

The song itself blends hip-hop lyricism with hard rock instrumentation; Milla Thyme cites Rage Against The Machine as an influence to the track’s sound, a comparison that is driven home by the song’s overt political message. For the chorus, Milla Thyme enlisted the aid of R&B singer Myrtle Thomas, who adds a soaring gospel performance to play off the pointed lyrics of Milla’s verses that critiques a social issue that has persisted throughout the history of both Canada and the United States. The corresponding music video opens with footage of a group of protestors objecting to the Dakota Access Pipeline. Through the rest of the video, you see footage of displaced people climbing fences in search of asylum and the Berlin Wall protests of 1989, among other historical moments. According to the artist, “the idea is to show that if we take away these borders or barriers that there is more that unites us than what separates us.”

“Borders” is the third single from Milla Thyme’s upcoming album Everything Has Its Thyme, which is due out in April 2021. To coincide with the release, Milla Thyme also wants to highlight organizations like Montreal en Action, the Native Friendship Centre Montreal, and Rap Battles for Social Justice, the last of which he was an active team member from 2016-17. Watch the video for “Borders” below.