Athens, Georgia-based rapper, linguist, activist, parent, and politician Mariah Parker (they/them), who performs as Linqua Franqa, will release acclaimed new album Bellringer today April 22 via Ernest Jenning Record Co.

Released today alongside a vibrant official video, rebellious new single “Oh Fxck” (feat. of Montreal & Pip The Pansy) is the ultimate self-empowerment anthem. Crooned by of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes, the hook challenges the notion that you must first love yourself in order to find love, instead inviting the kind of relationship we deserve as means of teaching ourselves self-love. Joyful chants describe a boss bitch that balls out, bewitches lovers, and entrances everyone she meets, even in the face of self doubt, ending with a gentle reminiscence of the time when LF was briefly institutionalized and their then-girlfriend, who the chants describe, called to tell them she loved them. 

Produced by Parker, Reindeer Games and Joel Hatstat, the new album features guests including Jeff Rosenstock, Of Montreal, Kishi Bashi, Dope KNife, Wesdaruler, and Angela Davis, touching on issues like police brutality, social media addiction, mental health, anti-capitalism, labor organizing, among other topics ripped from the headlines. Previous singles “Wurk,” “Bellringer” (Feat. Jeff Rosenstock) and “Necessity” touch on frontline employee labor rights as well as domestic and racial violence.

“lingua franca” is a term for a language used to communicate across cultures. Weaving a rich tapestry of hip-hop lyricism and neo-soul hooks, Parker uses music as a tool to communicate – and educate – across cultural boundaries, imbuing every song with a sense of urgency and keen social consciousness. Bellringer is a natural continuation of the work Parker has committed themselves to both as an artist and politician. Parker is a prominent voice of change and progress in the entertainment community as well as their work as Athens-Clarke County Commissioner. They also co-host popular iHeartRadio Waiting on Reparations podcast (3k+ weekly listeners) with Dope KNife.

Photo Courtesy: Sean Dunn