'It's dark in the US right now. But I turn on a light, you know?': Mavis Staples on Prince, Martin Luther King and her 75-year singing career

Mavis Staples' latest album is a culmination of her 75-year-long singing career, which has spanned various genres from gospel to soul and beyond. Her collaboration with Hozier and Allison Russell on the song "Human Mind" sets the tone for the entire record, emphasizing themes of love, hope, and resilience.

The album features Staples' signature powerful vocals, accompanied by a mix of classic and modern sounds. Tracks like "Beautiful Strangers" and "Sad and Beautiful World" explore topics such as war, fighting, love, and social injustices that still resonate today.

Staples' musical journey has been marked by her influential work in the civil rights movement during the 1960s. The legendary singer-songwriter reflects on iconic moments like singing alongside Mahalia Jackson at the 1969 Harlem Cultural festival and performing at Wattstax in 1973, a Stax Records benefit concert that aimed to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the 1965 riots.

In discussing her experiences, Staples reveals a personal connection with musical legends such as Prince, who produced her first album after she discovered his work. The singer shares a touching anecdote about meeting Prince for the first time and how he incorporated elements from her letters into some of his compositions.

One of the most poignant aspects of this conversation is Staples' candid response to questions regarding the contemporary civil rights movement. While acknowledging that times have changed, the singer emphasizes the importance of maintaining hope and pushing forward in the face of adversity.

Throughout the article, it becomes clear that Mavis Staples' legacy extends far beyond her extensive discography. Her unwavering dedication to social justice and music has made a lasting impact on generations of artists and fans alike.

Ultimately, this conversation underscores the power of resilience, community, and artistic expression in shaping our understanding of the world around us. Like turning on a light in darkness, Mavis Staples continues to inspire and uplift her audience with her remarkable life story and enduring legacy.
 
omg u guys i just listened to mavis staples new album & i'm literally shook 😍 she's been singing for 75 yrs & it's insane to think about all the historical moments she's witnessed! like, i know some ppl might not even be born yet who don't know about her activism during the 60s 🀯 and how she got to sing with mahalia jackson πŸ™Œ but what really got me is when she talked about prince πŸ’” like, she met him for the first time & he actually used some of the things she wrote in his songs πŸ“ it's crazy to think about how that connection happened & i'm so grateful we get to hear her story now ❀️
 
I'm not surprised she's dropping a new album after all those years, but 75 years is still crazy 🀯! It's awesome that she's collaborating with newer artists like Hozier and Allison Russell, it's about time we hear some fresh sounds from her. I love how the album touches on social injustices and hope – it's so relevant right now. Her experiences in the civil rights movement are truly inspiring, and I'm glad she shared those stories. But what I'd really like to see is more nuance in her commentary on modern politics... maybe not a total agreement with everything that's going on πŸ€”
 
I remember listening to Mavis Staples' music back in the 80s with my grandmother πŸ‘΅. She'd play that "Treat You Right" song on repeat and we'd sing along at the top of our lungs 🎀. I didn't know who she was or where she came from, but there was something about her voice that just spoke to me. Fast forward to now, I'm hearing how influential she was in the civil rights movement during the 60s... it's mind-blowing! The fact that she still makes music after all these years and is pushing for social justice is a testament to her strength and conviction πŸ’ͺ.
 
Mavis Staples' new album is like a warm hug from an old friend - it's comforting, soulful, and totally reminds me of the golden era of music πŸŒžπŸ’–. I love how she weaves together different genres and styles to create this rich tapestry of sound that's both nostalgic and fresh at the same time. And can we talk about her collaborations? Hozier and Allison Russell are total dream teaming partners - they bring out the best in each other, and it's amazing to see Mavis pushing boundaries while still staying true to herself. What I admire most about this album is how it sparks meaningful conversations about love, hope, and social justice - we need more music like this that inspires us to be better versions of ourselves 🎢πŸ’ͺ.
 
omg u guys mavis staples is literally a legend her new album is everything i've been listening to it nonstop i love how she incorporates old & new sounds its like she's passing on the torch to the next gen 🎸πŸ”₯ and can we talk about her collab with hozier and allison russell on "human mind"?! that song gives me chills every time πŸ’• what i love most is how she still speaks her mind on social justice & civil rights even after all these years it's like she's saying we gotta keep pushing forward no matter what πŸŒŽπŸ’– and meeting prince for the first time is literally the coolest story ever i need more of those stories from mavis staples πŸ™Œ
 
omg i just found out who mavis staples is 🀯 she's like this legendary singer from back in the day and it sounds like her music is all about love hope and stuff... i mean idk if you've heard of the civil rights movement but apparently she was a big part of that back in the 60s? πŸ•ŠοΈ i'm kinda fascinated by how she met prince too, who wouldn't want to meet prince for the first time lol what's your fave song from her album? 🎢
 
awww, i'm so inspired by mavis staples' latest album πŸŽΆπŸ’–! she's an iconic legend who's been spreading love, hope, and resilience through music for 75 years πŸ™Œ! it's amazing to think about how her journey spans genres from gospel to soul and beyond, and yet she still manages to create music that resonates with us today ❀️. i love how she shares stories of meeting prince and how he incorporated elements from her letters into his compositions 🀩 - talk about a beautiful connection! πŸ’« what's also beautiful is how mavis staples continues to speak out on social justice issues, reminding us that times may have changed, but our values and dedication should remain the same πŸ’ͺ. she's a shining example of how music can bring people together and inspire us to be better versions of ourselves πŸŽ΅πŸ’–
 
🌟 you know what really gets me about mavis staples' album? it's not just the powerful vocals or the classic sounds, it's the way she weaves together love, hope, and resilience - these are timeless themes that transcend genres and generations. i mean, think about it, when was the last time you listened to music that didn't try to fit into a specific mold or category? mavis staples' album is like a warm blanket on a cold night - it's comforting, it's familiar, but also it's pushing us to think about what really matters.

and i love how she talks about her experiences with the civil rights movement - it's like she's sharing this ancient wisdom that still resonates today. but what's even more inspiring is how she's passing on that legacy to new generations of artists and fans. it's not just about the music, it's about the community and the impact we can have when we come together with love and hope. 🀝
 
I'm so down for an album from Mavis Staples after all these years 🀩! I mean, 75 years is crazy, right? She's like the ultimate legend in my book πŸ™Œ. I love how she collaborates with other artists to create something new and fresh, but still stays true to her roots. The fact that she talks about her experiences during the civil rights movement is so inspiring - it's clear that music has always been a powerful tool for change 🎡. And can we talk about Prince for a second? That's some amazing behind-the-scenes info 😍. What I think is most important, though, is that Mavis Staples is still pushing forward and spreading hope, even in these crazy times πŸ’ͺ. She's like a beacon of light, reminding us that music has the power to make a difference 🌟.
 
omg i'm literally so emotional reading about mavis staples' new album πŸ™πŸ’– she's literally been doing this for 75 years and it's just mind blown 🀯 like what can you even say to someone who's been a constant source of hope and inspiration for so long? πŸ’­ her collab with hozier and allison russell on "human mind" is giving me LIFE πŸ”₯ i mean, the themes of love, hope, and resilience are more relevant now than ever 🌎 and it's amazing to see her reflecting on her experiences in the civil rights movement - she's such a legend! πŸ’ͺ
 
🎢 I'm glad she's releasing new music at 75, it's amazing how talented people stay relevant after that long, but what I wanna know is who actually curated this album? Who picked the tracks that showcase war and social injustices? It sounds like a mix of classic and modern sounds to me, maybe it's an attempt to make her legacy seem more relatable to younger generations?

Also, can anyone confirm that Prince did produce her first album after he discovered her work? That's pretty convenient for him to help out an artist who was then on the rise. What are the sources for these claims? And what about Mahalia Jackson and Wattstax? Were they really as influential as described in the article?
 
meh, 75 years in music is a big deal i guess... sounds like she's still got it but what's the point of releasing an album just to release an album? can't she just, like, stop already? lol just kidding sorta 🀣 anyway i'm glad she's using her platform for good and all that jazz. hope her fans are enjoying the nostalgia trip though... it's cool how she's collaborating with these newer artists tho, maybe they can bring some fresh energy to her sound. still not sure about this whole "human mind" thing tho πŸ€”
 
I gotta say πŸ€”, Mavis Staples is still killin' it at 95+ years old πŸ˜‚, what's next? World tour? I love how she reps Prince, it's like the ultimate nod to music royalty πŸ‘‘... but can we talk about her collab with Hozier and Allison Russell on "Human Mind"? That sound is straight fire πŸ”₯. And I'm loving all the nostalgic vibes from the 60s and 70s πŸŽ‰, it's like we're reliving history through her music. What do you guys think? Is Mavis Staples a national treasure yet? πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ
 
omg i just cant even right now.. mavis staples is literally a legend 🀩 her album is like a culmination of all her hard work and passion over the past 75 years, and its so inspiring to see her still going strong πŸ’ͺ she talks about how music brought people together during the civil rights movement, and it gives me chills thinking about mahalia jackson and prince being part of that era 🎀 prince even wrote songs using mavis' letters lol thats like music history right there

anyway whats most beautiful about this is how mavis still has so much to say and share, even after all these years. she's not afraid to speak her truth and stand up for what she believes in, and that takes a lot of courage πŸ’ͺ especially when it comes to the contemporary civil rights movement, which can be really tough to navigate nowadays

mavis staples is literally a beacon of hope and light in a world that needs it more than ever 🌟 shes reminding us all that even in the darkest times, music and community can make all the difference. i'm so grateful for her legacy and cant wait to dive into this album 🎡
 
I'm loving Mavis Staples' new album! It's like she's taking all the love, hope, and resilience from her 75 years of singing and pouring it into this record 🌟. I mean, who else can make a song about war and social injustices sound so beautiful? And to see her reflecting on her time with Prince is giving me all the feels ❀️. But what really gets me is how she's still pushing for change and hope in the face of adversity. We need more people like Mavis in this world, you know? πŸ’–
 
🀩 I love how Mavis Staples' new album captures the essence of her incredible 75-year career! The fact that she's still pushing boundaries and exploring themes that resonate today is truly inspiring πŸ™Œ. I'm not surprised to hear about her personal connections with musical legends like Prince, it's clear she's had a profound impact on so many artists over the years πŸ’«. What I find really admirable is how she stays true to herself and her values, even in the face of adversity 😊. The way she talks about hope and resilience is something we can all learn from, especially during these turbulent times 🌎. Can't wait to dive into her new album and experience it for myself! 🎡
 
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