Watch: Meshell Ndegeocello - Live at Le Guess Who? 2024

Curated by Arooj Aftab Recordings

Meshell Ndegeocello is a true multitalented and multifaceted artist: singer-songwriter, rapper, bassist, collaborator, GRAMMY-winner, neo-soul movement igniter. Yet, even when sinking seamlessly into each one of her many roles, she has always worn her artistry and identity as a proud Black queer woman on her sleeve.

You can now relive her performance at Le Guess Who? 2024 below, curated by Arooj Aftab and following the release of No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin.

Ndegeocello's latest album, No More Water, released via Blue Note, is inspired by the work and legacy of writer and activist James Baldwin. "All I want from the listening of this record is that maybe you go pick up one of his books," she says. "It's a win-win for me. I just want you to have the experience I had and maybe just change a kernel of yourself."

"You feel that you can step out of a weekend Le Guess Who? with hope. All you have to do is dive into the work of the names that Ndegeocello mentions and highlights. Oppressed artists who stood up to the daily (micro) violence against them, and paved a path toward the light. With the knowledge and footsteps of those days, it is still possible to move forward, and Ndegeocello is planting that seed. Like many others with her in a total work of four days of reflection, indignation, anger, sadness, joy, release, connection, inspiration, and above all hope, that with so many like-minded people you are not alone, and can work together toward a more equal world." - OOR

Le Guess Who? Recordings

The publication of this recording is part of Le Guess Who?’s ongoing expansion of the festival’s recordings archive, with 100+ recordings from past editions now freely available online.

This archive contains audio and/or video recordings of performances by Kamilya Jubran, Alan Sparhawk, Stereolab, Tom Skinner, Selda Bağcan, clipping., Aldous Harding, Deerhunter, Art Ensemble of Chicago, The Microphones, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Lightning Bolt, Neneh Cherry, Arooj Aftab, Beverly Glenn-Copeland, and many more.

Captured at TivoliVredenburg's Ronda on Sunday, 10 November 2024.

Meshell Ndegeocello – bass guitar, vocals
Abe Rounds – drums, vocals
Kyle Miles – bass guitar
Jebin Bruni – keyboards
Chris Bruce – guitar
Jake Sherman – organ
Justin Hicks – vocals

Direction: Dammes Kieft
Camera: Anaïs Saebu, Emily Duurland, Jonathan Sipkema, Nicky Pajkić, Rikash Gobardhan, Yuma Eekman, Dammes Kieft
Production: Studio Dammes, Ramon de Lima
Montage & Grade: Emily Duurland
Sound recording: Marc Broer
Photography: Lisanne Lentink