Monticello rapper and hip-hop artist Frank Leone has debuted a new collaborative track with Chicago artist Femdot. Entitled “HOMETOWN HEROES,” The song is a criticism of our country’s current political situation and the feelings of fear, doubt, and anger that many of us may never (and may not want to) shake. It’s also a reflective song that find Leone dissecting and probing his identity as he owns up to his roots in Monticello and lets that be a part of his persona. His Chicago cohort Femdot provides a different perspective altogether, as an unflinching black Islamic urbanite forever aware of the walls all around him, but never ceasing to push.
The track’s release closely followed the date of Trump’s inauguration, and is even more relevant after the disgusting xenophobic events that occurred the past weekend. The two musicians’ are resolute in their refusal to compromise their identities to please hatemongers. There are a whole lot of us who can find solidarity in that.
Listen to the track below, and hear more of Leone’s work at his Soundcloud page.