Chicago’s Zeshan B has just released “O Say, Can You See?” —the first-generation Indian-American’s new album is steeped in social justice, while blending timeless soul, gospel, and at its core, a perpetual eye on community building. The first single to radio is a powerful bit of forward-thinking uplift in “Change (Is On The Way).”
“When there’s so much strife going on, singing something optimistic is just therapeutic. There’s something you feel, there’s some redemption, some hope, some solace. Music from the Civil Rights era had so much idealism. I need to hear this optimism. I need to sing it to myself. And maybe, just maybe there are others who could use it too.” – Zeshan B
++ Classic, gospel-infused R&B with passionate lyrics about American social justice” — Variety ++
“seeks out commonalities between classic soul and the Indian and Pakistani music he learned from his immigrant parents” — New York Times
“powerful soul singer” — Rolling Stone (’10 Artists You Need To Know’)
“Soaring vocals with swaying rhythms that inspire the soul and move the feet to action.” — No Depression
“For Bagewadi, soul isn’t just a specific genre – it’s a feeling that pervades American and Indo-Pakistani music alike”— NPR/Weekend Edition
Recorded live in Brooklyn, NY., “O Say, Can You See?” was produced by Mike MacAllister (co-writer/performer on a few tracks too), and features a talented cast of musicians including concert-master Antoine Silverman’s chamber orchestra and singers from the famed Resistance Revival Chorus. The album is is executive produced by former U.S. Attorney for New York’s Southern District, Preet Bharara, who shares a passion for social justice and unity through art.
In Zeshan‘s own words, “All Preet’s life, he has fought for justice in the courtroom. All my life, I’ve fought for justice with a microphone.”
Each of the songs were written by Zeshan in the midst of life-altering “low points” in recent American history, including the murder of George Floyd, the 2020 election, the January 6th riot, and the day Roe v. Wade was overturned. Despite challenging topics, each song is infused with courage and hope for the future.