If you spend enough time on social media, you will find a number of young people either do not know who Orson Welles was — or know him only from YouTube outtakes of Paul Masson or Findus frozen peas commercials.
But the release today of Logic’s album, No Pressure, has sent some fans of the rapper Googling “Orson Welles” because of his presence on two tracks bookending the album: the playful No Pressure Intro and a moving five-minute speech on racism found on Obediently Yours.
Several people posted comments asking who was the speaker on Obediently Yours.
One listener noted that Welles’ 1946 radio commentary on race hate was a call for action today, while another questioned why this generation lacks a Welles or Martin Luther King Jr. to eloquently speak out during uncertain times.
Here is a sampling of comments posted on Twitter, YouTube and other social media platforms within the past 24 hours:
• “What a f–king speech by Orson Welles to end your final album. Thank you, Logic. You got me through so much s–t in high school and your latest work is on the spot, once again. Thank you!” — Hiii
• “His call for action in 1946 should speak to us in 2020 to take action and refuse to allow racism or hate in our free country! And demand that peace and equality be taught to each of our children as the most important thing they can ever strive for! Where are our leaders today? Where are the Orson Welles and Martin Luther’s of our generation? All I hear is hatred and contempt from people that have no morals or values made famous for their ability to shock and awe the public!” — Capeintheshop
• “Logic brought me here and led me to study Welles more closely. This guy was a genius. Wow!” — Otto Lemus on a post of the 1946 radio show.
• “I know some of y’all don’t like Logic but please listen to Obediently Yours, it’s the last song on the album but it’s not a song, but a call to action. Very important words were spoken on this track that I think all should hear.” — Kwatra
• “This is one of the best speeches I’ve ever heard,” — Ethan Morlez
• “If you’re gonna listen to any song off of Logics new album, listen to Obediently Yours, the speech by Orson Welles is incredibly moving.” — Jack Wallworth
• “Logic killed it with the Orson Welles samples.” — Jake From Best Buy
• “Thank you @Logic301 and Orson Welles. This is perfection and equally beautiful.” — RunBilly
• “That Orson Welles at the end of the CD was RESPECT.” — Stu Pedasso
• “The voiceover (Orson Welles’ ‘To Be Born Free’) that was recorded 74 years ago is THE SAME MESSAGE that people are trying to get across now.” — Patrick Romano
• “First time I’ve heard this. Parts of it gave me the chills. The subject is very timely. Thanks to @Logic301 for introducing me to this.” — arbyn
• “It was cool to hear Orson Welles speaking in ’46 on this track… had to look it up.” — Jay Patel
• “Just got to the ending of “No Pressure” and Logic was smart for using that Orson Welles clip for “Obediently Yours”. Very relevant. Thank you @Logic301 for all of the music you’ve given us the past decade.” — Tomiwa of Melbourne
• “The Orson Welles outro on Obediently Yours almost had me in tears with everything going on. If this is it, what a message to go out on from the one and only @Logic301.” — Casey Ciaston
• “Logic sampling the GOAT [greatest of all time], ORSON Welles…. this is amazing.” — Richie Hoffman
• “Logic, nothing is more true to what Orson Welles was saying than as it is today. I ask everyone give this song a listen. Thank you for bringing this to us.” — John G.
• “Logic really said f–k it — throw Orson Welles in there and make them CRY.” — Kaila Taylor
Logic reached out and received permission from the Estate of Orson Welles to sample the radio shows for the two album tracks.
Beatrice Welles, the late filmmaker’s youngest daughter, said she was pleased with the final product — and thrilled that her father’s message on racism from 76 years ago has struck a chord with a younger audience.
She said it was “incredibly touching” to read the comments about her father, who championed civil rights from the start of his career.
“I grew up with those words,” Beatrice Welles said. “He was the most unbigoted man I have ever known.”
She added, “He had so much to give and for young people to discover him this way is really great. He would love it – especially because it was something he cared and believed in so much.”
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