Songwriting Masters’ Thesis

For her Master’s thesis at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance in London, Lexi explored Black feminism in the music industry. As a Black American woman, this topic resonated deeply, helping her understand her place in both the industry and the world. Black feminism, rooted in Black women’s lived experiences, involves intellectual, artistic, philosophical, and activist practices. She examined this through the lens of Black women’s experiences in music.

She completed her undergraduate degree at Berklee College of Music during the pandemic, which didn’t end as she had envisioned. Dreaming of teaching masterclasses on activism and Black feminism, she found the ICMP course in London to be the perfect next step.

Working with Dr. Kyra Gaunt, who profoundly influenced her project, she discovered the personal and political dimensions of her research. Dr. Gaunt made education and research engaging, even when dealing with challenging topics.

The biggest challenge was addressing unhealed trauma. Black feminism acknowledges that Black women carry the burdens of both their own and Black men’s struggles. Conversations with her family and extensive research were emotionally taxing but essential.

Refining her focus was crucial. Black feminism is vast, and her goal was to educate while staying true to the specific topic of Black feminism in music.

This project is part of her ongoing journey. Her music will always reflect the Black experience, and her life will remain inherently political. She looks forward to continuing to educate and inspire through her work in the music industry.