We hear from singer Agalisiga Mackey, whose tune “Tsitsutsa Tsigesv” was a standout submission to this yr’s Tiny Desk Contest.
AYESHA RASCOE, HOST:
Generally, it is not the which means of a tune’s lyrics that get to you. It is the emotion within the singer’s voice. That holds true even when the tune is in a language you do not perceive.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “TSITSUTSA TSIGESV”)
AGALISIGA MACKEY: (Singing in non-English language).
My identify is Agalisiga the Chuj Mackey (laughter). You do not have to place Chuj for those who do not wish to.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “TSITSUTSA TSIGESV”)
MACKEY: (Singing in non-English language).
RASCOE: Mackey was one of many entrants to this yr’s Tiny Desk contest. And although he did not win the highest prize, his tune actually captured our ears.
MACKEY: And the tune is named “Tsitsutsa Tsigesv,” which suggests, after I was a boy.
RASCOE: Mackey is from Kenwood, Oklahoma, a Cherokee neighborhood, and he sings in his conventional language.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “TSITSUTSA TSIGESV”)
MACKEY: (Singing in non-English language).
RASCOE: Mackey sings about his upbringing, concerning the significance of water, and the pristine creek he swam in as a baby. He additionally talks concerning the centrality of seasons in nature and in life.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “TSITSUTSA TSIGESV”)
MACKEY: (Vocalizing).
I speak about respecting our elders and to, you realize – it would not say this within the tune, however that is what I believe – deal with them as in the event that they’re libraries which have hearts.
RASCOE: And like I mentioned, you needn’t know the language to grasp the guts of this tune. However once you do, it actually unlocks one thing particular.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “TSITSUTSA TSIGESV”)
MACKEY: (Singing in non-English language).
RASCOE: Whenever you hear Mackey’s considerate lyrics and his tender, understanding tone, you may confuse him for an elder your self. However he is a younger father who says after his son was born virtually two years in the past, his mission to protect the Cherokee language and cross alongside his love of country-western music turned private. His son was by his facet as he spoke to NPR.
MACKEY: At any time when he was first born, you realize, to get him asleep, I might sing all types of…
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: (Inaudible.
MACKEY: …Extra ceremonial songs…
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: (Inaudible).
MACKEY: …Form of like as his lullabies ‘trigger they’ve, you realize, regular rhythm, and so they’re peaceable. They’re going to knock you out very easy. However then on high of that, you realize, I sing – coming from a background of tradition, I imagine that we have to hold on to the issues which have been handed all the way down to us. I even have the conclusion that to ensure that us to be related and to maintain up on the earth, we will must develop. So we have to hold onto what now we have, however we additionally want so as to add to it. And so for me, doing songs within the Cherokee language is my approach of claiming, hey, look, regardless that this language is previous, it nonetheless has significance to this present day.
RASCOE: And Mackey says he would not wish to maintain that type of pleasure to himself. He needs anybody with an open coronary heart to get an opportunity to expertise and perceive this tradition.
MACKEY: It would not matter what sort of blood you bought or what your pores and skin shade is or who your loved ones is, you realize? In the event you actually wish to be taught Cherokee stuff and the Cherokee language, you simply obtained to commit. That is actually it, you realize?
RASCOE: On the finish of the day, Mackey says, the themes he sings about actually ought to relate to everybody. And music, in any case, he provides, is a common language. So why construct any extra synthetic obstacles?
MACKEY: I do imagine that music, of itself, is simply its personal language for a lot of causes. I believe it is only a pure, I do not know, a part of ourselves.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “TSITSUTSA TSIGESV”).
MACKEY: (Vocalizing).
RASCOE: Agalisiga Mackey – his tune is “Tsitsutsa Tsigesv.” He participated on this yr’s Tiny Desk contest, and he has a full album of songs popping out later this yr. This music second was produced by Ryan Benk.
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