They released their second studio album (Stranger) in 2018, which was called a “finely calibrated mix of purpose and playfulness, executed to stylish perfection” by NPR, “pop caffeine” by Bust Magazine, a “totally vibrant declaration of worth” by The FADER, and “at once triumphant and defiant” by The New Yorker. Tunde toured with Stranger through 2019, opening for Years & Years and My Brightest Diamond.
In addition to their own work, Tunde has collaborated with Detroit artist Flint Eastwood on her track, “Push” and folk singer Chris Bathgate, co-writing and performing on Bathgate’s single “Low Hey.” Olaniran also co-wrote and produced “Hijabi” and “Dog” by Mona Haydar, directing the viral video for “Hijabi,” which was named one of the top 20 protest songs by Billboard Magazine. Beyond music, Tunde was also a contributing author to Octavia’s Brood, a sci-fi/visionary fiction anthology named by Ms. Magazine as one of the top feminist books of 2015.
Olaniran’s art direction and production work with Allied Media Conference (2016-present) included performance collaborations with Angelica Ross, Mariame Kaba, Tarana Burke, adrienne maree brown and Esperanza Spalding.
Olaniran was named a 2018 Art Matters Fellow and a 2019 United States Artists Music Fellow, alongside artists like Juliana Huxtable and Helado Negro. They are currently producing a third studio album during a 2020/2021 UMS digital artist residency. Tunde will be directing their first experimental short film and gallery exhibition in 2022, commissioned by Cranbrook Art Museum, with support from John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts.
The Raven
Tunde Olaniran Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can make the grade
Check the interior
I'm better made
Used to be a boy
I'd rather be a mage
Possession is a ritual
The raven's out the cage
Came unraveled in the 8th grade
Not quite prepared for the alchemy
Couldn't fit the modality
So I flew over the palisade
Now I roll with witches in Williamsburg
Boleros and blazers
Broom is a vintage cinelli
Sidewalk for haters
But they love me they fall like a season
Love how it smell when they breathe in
Converting theists now they
Go hard like thanksgiving for vegans
You had enough
You learn to grow
No tongues to bite
No hands to hold
Incant, this witch can
Cast spells
Deep like quicksand
Shots licked, he crack whips
You talk slick, no 3rd chance
This bold brown boy might wish
Chance and luck he might fight with
Ancient walls that his mind built
Climb it to see where his height get
They come to test my interior
As if the sun wasn't near enough
The Raven must be in my blood
So I learned to make magic
The song "The Raven" by Tunde Olaniran is a powerful expression of self-discovery and empowerment through witchcraft. The artist uses the metaphor of the raven, a bird often associated with witchcraft, to symbolize his own transformation and liberation. He declares that he can pass any test and is better made than before, having moved beyond his previous identity as a boy to become a mage. Possession is portrayed as a ritual, implying that the singer has intentionally taken control of his own life and destiny.
The lyrics describe the singer's struggles with fitting in and finding his place in the world. He mentions coming unraveled in the 8th grade and not being able to fit the modality. However, he has found a community of like-minded individuals in Williamsburg, where he rolls with witches and wears boleros and blazers. The image of the broom as a vintage Cinelli bicycle is a clever play on stereotypes of witches as old-fashioned and out of touch. The singer takes pleasure in the irony of converting theists to his own way of thinking and watching them fall for him like a season.
The chorus emphasizes the idea that the singer's strength lies within himself, not in the opinions of others. He has learned to grow and move beyond those who would test him. His magic is deep and powerful, like quicksand, and he is not afraid to call out those who talk slick. The final lines suggest that the singer is still on a journey of self-discovery, climbing ancient walls to see where his height will get him. Overall, "The Raven" is a powerful statement of individuality and empowerment through witchcraft and self-discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Give me any test
Challenge me, I'm ready to prove myself
I can make the grade
I can achieve success in anything
Check the interior
Don't judge me by my exterior, look inside and see my true worth
I'm better made
I'm crafted with better quality and skill
Used to be a boy
I used to be immature and uncertain
I'd rather be a mage
Now I aspire to be a powerful magician with mystical abilities
Possession is a ritual
The act of owning and controlling something is a meaningful process
The raven's out the cage
I have unleashed my inner darkness and creativity
Came unraveled in the 8th grade
I lost my composure and direction in my adolescent years
Not quite prepared for the alchemy
I wasn't ready for the transformational changes of growing up
Couldn't fit the modality
I couldn't conform to the expected norms and standards of society
So I flew over the palisade
I broke free from my limitations and crossed over into a new realm of possibilities
Now I roll with witches in Williamsburg
I associate with unconventional and powerful people in a trendy locale
Boleros and blazers
I dress stylishly and uniquely
Broom is a vintage cinelli
My magical broomstick is a classic and valuable possession
Sidewalk for haters
I ignore and evade those who criticize or oppose me
But they love me they fall like a season
Those who dislike me can't help but be drawn to my charm and presence
Love how it smell when they breathe in
They are captivated by my attractiveness and magnetism
Converting theists now they
I'm even converting religious people to my way of life
Go hard like thanksgiving for vegans
They are enthusiastic and passionate about my cause like a vegan's commitment to Thanksgiving
You had enough
You can't withstand or keep up anymore
You learn to grow
You develop and mature from your experiences
No tongues to bite
No one can criticize or attack you verbally
No hands to hold
You are on your own and responsible for your own success
Incant, this witch can
I can cast spells with my words and intentions
Cast spells
I can influence and manipulate my surroundings or others
Deep like quicksand
My abilities are profound and powerful
Shots licked, he crack whips
My enemies are defeated and controlled by my actions
You talk slick, no 3rd chance
If you disrespect me or try to oppose me, you won't have another opportunity
This bold brown boy might wish
I, a confident and unique person, might desire or crave something
Chance and luck he might fight with
I may need to struggle or battle against chance or luck to achieve my goals
Ancient walls that his mind built
The internal barriers or doubts that I have created due to past experiences or trauma
Climb it to see where his height get
I am determined to overcome these obstacles and see how far I can succeed
They come to test my interior
People attempt to challenge or question my character, motives, or talents
As if the sun wasn't near enough
As if my value and abilities aren't already apparent or within reach
The Raven must be in my blood
My darkness, creativity, and mysticism are innate parts of my being
So I learned to make magic
I have developed and honed my abilities and talents into something formidable and unique
Contributed by Grayson O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.