GENRE; Alternative Rock/ Art Rock/ Dark Wave/ UK Rap/ Indie Rock/ Groove
RELEASE DATE; 24 July , 2025
RATING; 3/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chris Oledude’s “White Lie: Carolyn’s Story” is the kind of song that stays with you long after it ends. It doesn’t aim to comfort the listener, it challenges them. Released during Black History Month, the single confronts one of the most painful chapters in American history by imagining the mindset of Carolyn Bryant, whose false accusation led to the 1955 murder of Emmett Till. The track pulls you in with a compelling, groove-driven beat, but the real weight lies in the lyrics, which unfold slowly and demand close, repeated listening.
What makes “White Lie” so striking is how it balances musical accessibility with emotional discomfort. The rhythm feels familiar, almost inviting, yet the story it carries is deeply unsettling. In one of the song’s most revealing moments, the narrator confesses, “I live trapped by convention, in need of invention, living with the pain of hiding from the world’s intentions.” The line exposes a mindset shaped by fear and social control, someone boxed in by tradition yet desperate for escape. When it turns to “I don’t know you, but I know what’s good for you-or” the lyric sharpens into a chilling admission of moral arrogance, a self-deception used to excuse dominance and harm. The final words “I tell that to myself to justify the way I rule,(you lied!)” lands like a verdict, stripping away justification and leaving only the truth beneath the denial. Dr. Wendy A. Ward delivers a chilling lead vocal performance that feels restrained but heavy with implication, while Lindsey Wilson and Chris Oledude’s backing vocals add layers of tension and reflection. Geoffrey Owens’ electric guitar work cuts through the track with purpose, adding a raw edge that mirrors the unresolved pain behind the story.
This song fits naturally into Chris Oledude’s long-standing commitment to social justice through music. From his early days performing on the streets of New York to his later recognition from folk legend Pete Seeger, Oledude has always treated songwriting as a form of truth-telling. After years focused on political and civic activism, personal loss led him back to music with renewed urgency. That urgency is felt clearly here “White Lie” is not performative protest, but lived conviction.
“White Lie: Carolyn’s Story” is about refusing to let truth fade. It reminds us that the racist violence that took Emmett Till’s life did not disappear with time—it evolved. By confronting history head-on, Oledude honors the legacy of Till and his mother, Mamie, whose strength helped ignite the Civil Rights Movement. This is not easy listening, but it is necessary listening, and music like this matters now more than ever.
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