Athfactor Entertainment CEO and “Now Is The Time” Executive Producer Montu Miller visits Clarke Central High School on Feb. 14, 2022. Miller organized the “Now Is The Time” project to honor civil rights trailblazers who came before him, while also carrying on their movement. “I always wanted to do an album that was dedicated to trailblazers that came before us and kind of give them the credit they deserve, at the same time sort of taking the baton, taking the torch and sort of running with it,” Miller said. Photo by Aza Khan
As the nation celebrates Black History Month, “Now Is The Time: Shouting Fire in a Crowded Theater”, a collaborative album featuring Athens hip hop artists, is putting a spotlight on Black trailblazers.
Dedicated to Civil Rights trailblazers, created with the intent to spark change and collaborated on by artists across the Athens community, “Now Is The Time: Shouting Fire in a Crowded Theater” is more than just a regular record.
Released on Sept. 4, 2022, the eight tracks span multiple genres, but each has one thing in common— a message about the current political and social climate.
“Most of the topics we’re dealing with are the different aspects of what’s going on in society today. We wanted to make sure that (the artists) also talked about (issues) from a historical perspective as well, as today’s,” Athfactor Entertainment CEO and “Now Is The Time” Executive Producer Montu Miller said. “We’re talking about race issues, economic issues, police brutality, education, and so we touch on all of that in this record.”
Miller organized the project, a long standing dream of his, along with University of Georgia Distinguished Research Professor of English, African American Studies and Creative Writing Ed Pavlic.
“I’ve probably been thinking about that album for years,” Miller said. “Just ‘cause I always wanted to do an album that was dedicated to trailblazers that came before us and give them the credit they deserve, while at the same time taking the torch and running with it.”
Athenian artists, including Cassie Chantel, Montu Miller, Kxng Blanco and Chief Rocka pose at the “Now Is The Time” release event on Oct. 14, 2022. Clarke Central High School social studies department teacher Courtney Jones attended the event, and appreciated the references to current events in the performance. “I think (the message) was definitely clear. As a history teacher, it was also cool to hear references that I knew of. Knowing anything about current events, history, social justice, (or) anything like that would definitely help your understanding of it,” Jones said. Photo courtesy of Brasher Media
During the album’s production, Miller paired each artist working on the project with a trailblazer to whom they’d dedicate their song. For Athenian musician and Clarke Central High School Class of 2009 alumna Cassie Chantel, whose track “Sick and Tired” was dedicated to Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist, involving trailblazers in the creative process served as an inspiration both musically and in life.
“(Fannie Lou Hamer) is a Black woman, and she (fought) for equal rights. So it’s really parallel to where I am right now and what I’m doing within my community,” Chantel said. “(I found) strength within myself by that representation because it’s always good to see someone else in a position that you’d like to be in or doing something that you admire, because that lets you know that, ‘Oh, I can do it, too.’”
“(Fannie Lou Hamer) is a Black woman, and she (fought) for equal rights. So it’s really parallel to where I am right now and what I’m doing within my community. (I found) strength within myself by that representation because it’s always good to see someone else in a position that you’d like to be in or doing something that you admire, because that lets you know that, ‘Oh, I can do it, too.’”
— Cassie Chantel,
musician
CCHS social studies department teacher Courtney Jones attended the album’s release event on Oct. 14, 2022 where she saw the tracks performed live, and thought its message was impactful.
“(‘Now Is The Time’) was really powerful. It’s a lot of local artists relating things that are happening today to historical events to stuff in the community, so it was really cool,” Jones said. “I’d like to think it’ll have a strong impact, especially for those who were at the event and those who are interested in the music and the artists that were a part of (the project).”
Athens musician and Clarke Central High School Class of 2009 alumna Cassie Chantel visits CCHS on Oct. 20, 2022. Chantel worked on a track called “Sick and Tired” for the “Now Is The Time” album. “The song, ‘Sick and Tired,’ it was really a mood for people of color, Black people specifically, people in America that align with that emotion of being sick and tired of what the government is doing to us and how we’re being oppressed,” Chantel said. “I take it as a mood, like the overall feelings that (Fannie Lou Hamer) had. I feel like that’s what the song embodies.” Photo by Aza Khan
Miller also believes the project will have an impact on the community by sparking conversations across Athens about the important political and social issues it covers.
“When we talk, we’re either talking over each other or if it’s social media we’re talking at each other. I don’t feel like that conversation ever really happens,” Miller said. “I feel like (the album will) open up some questions on all sides, young and old, white and Black, economically disadvantaged and the privileged. I hope that it will allow those conversations to happen.”
