A Marvel in music in 3 parts

POWERFUL: DEF JAM STARS SAINT BODHI, BOBBY SESSIONS, KAASH PAIGE TELL THEIR STORIES

Storms into Black History Month tomorrow with Black Panther #23.

Def Jam Recordings and Marvel Comics – two iconic brands which have left an indelible stamp on popular culture – have announced a special collaboration, designed to integrate the voices of young black creatives, with one of the most transformative characters and storylines in graphic arts history: Black Panther.

Three of Def Jam’s rising stars – Saint Bodhi, Bobby Sessions and Kaash Paige – will each contribute character-driven short stories in Black Panther #23, #24 and #25, the last three issues of the Intergalactic Empire saga, from the creative team featuring writer Ta-Nehisi Coates and artist Daniel Acuna.

In celebration of Black History Month from tomorrow, Black Panther #23 will see buzzing Los Angeles singer-songwriter Bodhi share her take on Storm for an emotional story, grounded in tragedy and acceptance.

One month later in issue #24, Dallas rapper Sessions will tell a story about the King of Wakanda, Black Panther himself.

And in the series finale in April, Toxic R&B breakout star Paige will forge a tale about Wakandan Princess Shuri and the power of knowledge.

Aligned with the Def Jam Forward initiative to promote social, economic and educational equality, each threepage story will also feature an exclusive one-page Def Jam artist profile.

“Bringing these two logos together was a dream,” said Def Jam partnerships consultant Jonathan Rheingold. “There was a mutual desire to unite these two great brands for a mission and a cause – leveraging Def Jam’s rising stars and the legendary Marvel characters to tell powerful stories that would make an emotional connection with fans of both cultures.”

Bodhi, Sessions and Paige are stepping into comics for the first time, but have a long-standing passion for Marvel and the world graphic arts.

The challenges faced by Marvel’s heroes are not so far removed from their own.

“My album Mad World is a raw, honest and very personal journey,” Bodhi writes. “I grew up with a not-so-normal past. I say the things people are afraid to say. I let you experience the ‘mad world’ that is my life.”

“Teenage Fever is my debut album and it was important for me to capture my last year of being a teen through my music,” says Kaash, 20. “This chapter of my life is coming to an end so I wanted to put all my experiences into a document that will live forever.”

Sessions added: “My album Manifest is a guide for people to transform into the greatest version of themselves. A body of work that will lead people to find their inner superhero!”

Bodhi, Sessions and Paige will bring their short stories to life alongside some of Marvel’s most talented comic book writers and artists.

Bodhi has teamed up with co-writer Danny Lore, artist Alitha Martinez, and colourist Rachelle Rosenberg.

As a bonus, Bodhi’s debut story will also be included in Marvel’s Voices: Legacy #1, a celebration of black voices and artists.

Over the next week, fans can tune in to Marvel’s podcasts on SiriusXM, including This Week in Marvel, Women of Marvel, and Marvel’s Pull List, to hear from these artists.

Founded in 1984, Def Jam Recordings has represented the cutting-edge in hip-hop music for more than 35 years.

It began as an independent label, and over the following two decades, established its dominance. Now in its fourth decade, Def Jam’s music and lifestyle has grown into a global brand.

In its passion for and commitment to hip-hop culture, it has expanded its global reach to become the most-followed major label on all major social media platforms.