August Greene – Optimistic (Weekly Roundup)

August Greene – Optimistic

You may not know the name August Greene, but you may know some of the people in this band. The rapper and activist Common, for one. And the Grammy-winning pianist and producer Robert Glasper for another, along with the jazz drummer and hip hop producer Karriem Riggins. As August Greene, they’re preparing to release a debut album in early March, and their first single is this carefully chosen song, "Optimistic," which features guest vocals by the platinum-selling R&B singer Brandy. The video for this song has a remarkable ending where the band displays some of its reasons for being optimistic in troubled times. It's part of our Weekly Music Roundup.