Beyond The Music Blog

Musings about life, artistry, liberation, and more.

Photo by Laura Shapovalov

The Violence of Almost

You said: You’re a woman of color. How can I support you? 
I said: Please join me in dismantling systems of harm. 
You said: Maybe later.
 
(Your later never arrived.) 

— 

I said: Will you be my ally? 
You said…

Read more

No Kings Protests: Hope, Hype, or Harm?

Like millions of Americans, I attended one of the “No Kings” rallies this past weekend. Since then, the internet has been interneting with all sorts of hot takes, and people are divided. Among progressives, liberals, and leftists, I’ve seen a…

Read more

Girmit Daughter (a poem)

Brown skinned girl
With a name coined by Shakespeare (supposedly)
Because my mother feared the judgment of the colonizer

Anglicized—
Not just my name
But my mind
Because for years, I feared the judgment of the colonizer

Assimilate, they said,…

Read more

How To Survive the Election

If you live in the United States—or in any country or territory that is generally impacted by U.S. politics—you might be feeling anxious right now. 

No matter where you land on the political spectrum, I think we can all agree…

Read more

Songs for Black History Month

The legendary Nina Simone once said: “How can you be an artist and not reflect the times? That to me is the definition of an artist.” 

As a musician and artist myself, that idea has always resonated with me. I’m…

Read more

In 2024, Keep Yourself Loose and In Balance

I’ve always liked January. Along with it being my birth month, I appreciate the collective desire that people have at the start of the year to reset, dream, and set new goals. 

But it’s not lost on me that January—at…

Read more

Interested in hiring me for a writing or editing project?

I offer copywriting, editing, and content consulting services. Let me help you create your best content!

Enjoying my writing? Sign up for my email newsletter to receive more content like this!

Sent directly to your inbox. You'll also receive a free, unreleased song download when you sign up.

© 2026 Jessica Pillay. All rights reserved. Contact: jesspillaymusic@gmail.com.