Season 5 | Episode 74: The Necessity of Beauty with Ike Ndolo, Musician & Recording Artist with Common Hymnal

We know that God created everything that is Good, True and Beautiful. How in times like these, with so much that feels so heavy, hurtful and even downright ugly, can we find what is beautiful and in turn find the Divine?

Growing up in Missouri as the son of Nigerian immigrants, the life of Ike Ndolo is a woven tapestry of experiences: Hymns and Bob Marley, injustice and mercy, discrimination and acceptance. As a result, Ike has become a well-tested navigator of the human experience. He aims to share and guide you through stories that inform and even reorient your perspective. 

Ike Ndolo released three singles in the summer of 2018, “Guiding Light,” “Your Table” & “Follow Me,” all of which are featured on his third LP, “Shine,” released on September 17th, 2018. Recorded at Gnome Studios in Nashville, TN in conjunction with Hardspeak Records.

In this episode, we:

Consider why beauty is necessary, especially nowTake a stroll down Ike’s street to appreciate beautyCancel guilt associated with tapping out on occasion and running to beauty  Walk Ike’s path of his media shifting from artistry to anti-racism work Thank Ike for bringing Black female voices to his media and influence

Join us as we walk towards beauty as resistance. May we trust that we are able to engage in partnership with believers to do today’s justice work.

Recommended reading & resources:

Ike NdoloIke Ndolo on InstagramIke Ndolo on TwitterShine by Ike NdoloIke Ndolo on YouTubeVillage Lights Music on InstagramCommon Hymnal

Upside Down Podcast brings together women (and sometimes a few good men) for unscripted ecumenical conversations about God's upside-down kingdom. We're four women from across the US spanning age, denomination, race, culture, and background. We care deeply about the love of God and neighbor and explore themes of the intersections of faith and justice, with a bit of prophetic imagination. We come together as ordinary humans modeling tough conversations so you can be inspired to continue these conversations offline with your local community. In a time when many Christians are deconstructing their faith, we hope to be a welcoming space where people can be curious, learn, connect, and grow into the beloved community.

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