Rhiannon Giddens on Music, Heritage, and Hope

Musician Rhiannon Giddens shares her deep connection to her heritage through music. ‘There’s times I’m playing the banjo and I feel the ancestors,’ she says. Her performances often evoke the spirits of those who came before. This connection is vital to her perseverance in the music industry.

Giddens focuses on the Black string band tradition, tracing back to slave times. Notably, she played banjo on Beyoncé’s hit ‘Texas Hold ‘Em.’ Beyond that, she serves as the artistic director for the Silk Road Ensemble, founded by cellist Yo-Yo Ma. This group collaborates with musicians globally, incorporating diverse musical traditions.

Her recent album, Hope Is the Thing with Feathers, derives its title from an Emily Dickinson poem. Giddens sees hope as a direct link to her ancestors, who endured severe poverty in the American South. ‘What right do I have to not have hope when I don’t have to worry about starving?’ she reflects. Despite feeling uncertain about humanity, her faith in individuals remains strong.

This interview was produced and edited by Therese Madden and Nico Gonzalez Wisler for broadcast. Bridget Bentz and Molly Seavy-Nesper adapted it for the web.