"When I Get Home": Solange's Great Homage to Houston and Black American Culture

Writer: Kimani Leftridge

Solange’s newest highly anticipated 4th studio album “When I Get Home” dropped March 1st at midnight. The has been plenty of buzz surrounding the album’s elusive release and it’s content as fans finally gave it a listen after waiting so long for its arrival. It is through this album that Knowles explores different themes such as the meaning of home, spirituality, culture and the concept of Blackness, all while using early 70s and 80s music influence.

Now after letting the album resonate with others for a few weeks, many have come to consider it groundbreaking and innovative. Mainly due to its use of popular rappers such as Gucci Mane and Playboi Carti on experimental jazz beats and vintage 70s electronic music. Solange also utilized the minds of heavyweight writers and producers such as The Dream and Pharrell on several of her tracks. “When I Get Home” is a great demonstration of Solange’s own musical prowess and further distinguishes her as a true musical historian with an eclectic and artistic style.

A great deal of the content of this album is in homage to Solange’s hometown Houston. There are several tracks that are in reference to different important neighborhoods and landmarks throughout the city. The titles of tracks “S McGregor”, “Almeda” and “Binz” are all allusions to different Black neighborhoods within the city while “Beltway” is in reference to the Beltway 8 Highway that runs through the entirety of Houston.

Thanks to no other than Beyoncé, Solange’s older sister, audiences have become accustomed to seeing artists release a visual component along with their albums. Solange dropped a 33 minute visual to accompany her album by the same title. The video was shot in Houston in several of the aforementioned locations. “When I Get Home”, the visual adopted a very abstract and vintage aesthetic, keeping true to the sound of the album. There is an emphasis on Black Houstonian culture and Blackness irrespective of our oppression and whiteness. Knowles seemingly ensures that her audience is seeing images of Black happiness and joy instead of Black struggle. There are conversations surrounding Black woman sexuality and how while Black women can be free sexual beings, it is important to acknowledge Black women as spiritual beings as well and the many ways that spirituality has manifested itself.

All in all, it seems as though Solange aimed to discuss Hip-Hop and Black American cultures as true art forms with regard that is far much more respectful than it’s depiction as a hobby or a passing trend. Solange recognizes the two as lifestyles and our love for it being far more than a temporary infatuation. "When I Get Home": Solange's Great Homage to Houston and Black American Culture