Kanika Protests 50 Years of Roe V Wade: Dance, Music, & a time to Unite

It’s My Body’ was written and produced by John Gordon, who has worked with legendary icons such as Prince and Stevie Wonder to name a few. The song also includes the inspiring collaboration of G.U.M nominated producer Josiah Bassey – Grammy nominated in 2022 for his originally written track, ”Hold Us Together” performed by H.E.R., featured in the Disney Plus movie “Safety” – who contributed to Kanika’s single as a member of the vocal production team. Remix produced by John Gordon [White Collar Music]

A RAW AND EMOTIVE TRACK THAT HAS BEEN REWORKED INTO A DANCE ANTHEM: DEMONSTRATING THE POWER TO CHANGE THE WORLD WHEN WE USE MUSIC AS A TOOL FOR CHANGE!

Kanika partnered with popular K-pop choreographer, Tinako, to host the ‘It’s My Body Dance for Choice’: A Flash mob of 17 Asian youth dancers ranging in age from 8-16. All dancers participated because they believed in the message of It’s My Body and that it spoke directly to their feelings and beliefs! The dance video is slated to go live on Jan 22nd to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Roe V Wade, and Kanika is taking the flash mob campaign to the masses. With video submissions fas the main form of participation, digital additions to the flash mob production are welcome – more information at Kanika’s website.

WATCH THE DANCE FOR CHOICE VIDEO NOW

KANIKA writes: “There’s something dynamic about the boom of the base and pulse of the electronic sounds in the It’s My Body remix that just makes you want to dance. This song has so much BIG positive energy. It makes me want to stand up for something I believe in, women’s rights…human rights. I can only hope others will feel the same way when listening!”

An activist curator and cultural spokesperson, KANIKA is a musician native to Baltimore, who deeply resonates with the injustices occurring on our doorstep. Previously released as a neo-soul track in 2022, ‘It’s My Body’ was one of the highly anticipated songs teased from her 3rd solo album, coming Spring this year. Invoking and facilitating conversations around important societal themes, Kanika’s work truly embodies the meaning of unity, female empowerment, and freedom of expression. Despite centralizing upon heavy topics, such music proves technically beautiful and atmospheric. Known for layering up-tempo dance tracks with soulful ballads over rock guitar, Kanika proves undefined by genre with the recent release of ‘It’s My Body’ CLUB REMIX. Coupled with thought provoking lyricism through a dance beat and powerful vocals, this party track encompasses a melodic narration of lived experiences from the United States as we approach an important time: January 22nd marking the 50th Anniversary of Roe V Wade.

ABOUT ROE V WADE:

In 1969, a 25-year-old single woman, Norma McCorvey using the pseudonym “Jane Roe”, challenged the criminal abortion laws in Texas – forbade abortion as unconstitutional, except in cases where the mother’s life was in danger. Ms McCorvey was pregnant with her third child when she filed the case, and alleged that she had been raped. But the case was rejected and she was forced to give birth. In 1973 her appeal made it to the US Supreme Court, where her case was heard alongside that of a 20-year-old, Sandra Bensing. By a vote of seven to two, the court justices ruled that governments lacked the power to prohibit abortions, and judged that a woman’s right to terminate her pregnancy was protected by the US constitution. The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Mississippi’s ban on abortions and in doing so, it has effectively ended the constitutional right to an abortion for millions of US women. Individual states are now able to ban the procedure again, with the universal expectation that half of the country is expected to introduce new restrictions or bans imminently – removing basic human rights synonymously.

KANIKA WRITES: “Although a very political message in defiance of the Supreme Court’s ruling to end a woman’s right to choose, It’s My Body was always intended to be a female protest anthem that you could bop to. The original afrobeat release caught the attention of many DJ’s and dancers from around the world. In seeing their enthusiasm, I felt doing an EDM dance remix would further heighten not only the message and energy of the song but create powerful moments where dancers could use their body via dance as a form of protest.”

Well-established in the proactive grassroot subculture, Kanika aims to change the world with the lyrics of her music, and to be the type of artist that can create unity through song. Hailed as a high energy performer with a catchy spark, Kanika is an accomplished singer, songwriter and “Artivist” who uses her gift of music and voice to uplift the world and inspire awareness and social change. Over the past decade, Kanika has been known as the front woman of rock/SKA band The Upstarters. By fan demand, she has been invited back for performances at neighborhood events, popular regional festivals and nightclubs as the headliner or concert opener. Kanika doesn’t just sing what she believes but is living proof that you can live your passion AND impact the community.

Recently introduced on network TV from United States Congresswoman, Lisa Blunt-Rochester – proudly serving Delaware, Kanika made an appearance on DETV’s New Year’s Eve special, an African American owned and operated TV network airing on Comcast channel 28. Not her first political statement in protest, Kanika sang for over 24 hours straight in Washington DC, to break the record of the longest filibuster and demand the Senate pass the Freedom to Vote Act. Also a finalist in the Songs For Good national writing contest during the 2020 election cycle, her “Vote in 2020” soundtrack for democracy became one of the top TikTok sounds used by voters across the US – contrasting from The Real Housewives of Potomac to Sports Illustrated swimsuit models. A career day frequent flyer and TED Talk speaker, Kanika advocates for economic equality and has assisted over 1,000 unemployed Baltimore residents in receiving workforce training to acquire a healthcare career.