Sons of Kemet – Your Queen is a Reptile

Released in March 2018, Sons of Kemet’s “Your Queen is a Reptile” is a firebrand of an album. The British jazz group, led by saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings, blends their signature avant-garde sound with pointed social commentary. Through driving rhythms by drummers Seb Rochford and Tom Skinner, and the deep rumble of Theon Cross’s tuba, the music pulsates with energy. The title itself throws down the gauntlet, referencing both the British monarchy and fringe conspiracy theories. The accompanying artwork and liner notes make it clear: the Queen they sing of doesn’t represent the experiences of Black Britons. “Your Queen Is a Reptile” is a powerful statement, a fusion of furious jazz and social critique.