CHRISTIAN JOHN WIKANE
music journalist / essayist
UNSCRIPTED: CONVERSATIONS WITH CHRISTIAN JOHN WIKANE
"Unscripted: Conversations with Christian John Wikane" is a series of video interviews produced by filmmaker Sekou Luke and music journalist Christian John Wikane that spotlights the stories of both legendary and innovative artists, their resilience, and creative regeneration. Since launching in May 2020, "Unscripted" has garnered more than 150,000 unique views on the series' YouTube channel in tandem with Christian's headline articles on PopMatters. Season 1 featured interviews with André De Shields, Nona Hendryx, Melba Moore, Ruth Pointer, Valerie Simpson, Kathy Sledge, Bruce Sudano, and Fonzi Thornton, culminating with a special 17-minute film, "Season 1 Extra: Your Greatest Challenge." Season 2 currently features interviews with Joshie Jo Armstead, Cory Daye, Lisa Fischer, Christian Holder, Van Hunt, Rahsaan Patterson, Van Hunt, and Ray Shell. Please visit and subscribe to the Unscripted channel on YouTube here. All artist portraits by Sekou Luke Studio / Rebel Media.
Flowers for Hermes: An Interview with Performing Activist André De Shields / 23 October 2020 (PopMatters)
Cosmic Dust and Interstellar Grooves: An Interview with Nona Hendryx / 1 May 2020 (PopMatters)
"Let the Sunshine In" with Tony-Winning Legend Melba Moore / 28 August 2020 (PopMatters)
Going Beyond the "Neutron Dance" with Ruth Pointer of the Pointer Sisters / 17 July 2020 (PopMatters)
Making a Masterpiece: An Interview with Legendary Composer Valerie Simpson / 13 November 2020 (PopMatters)
Finding the Light: An Interview with Kathy Sledge / 7 August 2020 (PopMatters)
Reaching for the Sky: An Interview with Singer-Songwriter Bruce Sudano / 29 May 2020 (PopMatters)
He's the Leader: An Interview with Aretha's "Main Man" Fonzi Thornton / 11 December 2020 (PopMatters)
The Urge Keeps Coming: An Interview with Original Ikette Joshie Jo Armstead / 30 April 2021 (PopMatters)
Cherchez La Femme at 45: An Interview with Grammy-Nominated Vocalist Cory Daye / 28 May 2021 (PopMatters)
Song Goddess: An Interview with GRAMMY-Winning Vocalist Lisa Fischer / 20 August 2021 (PopMatters)
Night Writer: An Interview with Grammy-Winning Funk Rocker Van Hunt / 16 July 2021 (PopMatters)