I always come back to classic soul, Motown, and R&B when I need to feel grounded, and lately life has pushed me deep into my collection of 60s party hits—which includes the 1966 single “In the Basement” by soul singers Etta James and Sugar Pie DeSanto. James earned her share of fame with hits such as “I’d Rather Go Blind” and her most recognizable tune, a rendition of “At Last” (first dance for the Obamas in 2008, remember?), but DeSanto hasn’t gotten the accolades she deserves from mainstream audiences.
DeSanto recently appeared as a subject of the May 19 Project, a social-media and video campaign created to promote solidarity with and among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. It was launched by See Us Unite, a coalition of nonprofits working to stop anti-AAPI hate. It’s great to see DeSanto talking about the diverse and inclusive music scenes that fostered her sound, and her story is an exciting reminder of the new multicultural music that’s surely being created right now by young people in their basements. v
