A Masterclass in Rhythm with Drummer Nikki Glaspie

Ahead of her performance with The Nth Power supporting Snarky Puppy at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, NJ, legendary drummer Nikki Glaspie sat down with writer and cultural worker Jamara Wakefield for an uncompromising, soulful dialogue. From touring the globe to anchoring the rhythm section, Nikki unpacks what it means to carry the heartbeat of our people, issuing an urgent call to action: Make something.

This conversation maps the deep structural power of Black creativity, linking artistic genius directly to the broader struggle for self-determination:

• The Truth of the Rhythm Section: Nikki breaks down the spiritual foundation of the beat. The drum is our oldest communicator—a tool used to signal, heal, and unite our people across artificial geographic borders, connecting Red Bank to Newark, Harlem, and beyond.
• Reclaiming Our Value: In a system designed to extract our labor and resources, our imagination is a territory that cannot be occupied. When we create, we practice self-sovereignty.
• A Universal Call to Create: This isn’t about corporate perfection; it is about the sacred necessity of expression. Whether you are picking up a drumstick, a paintbrush, a pen, or a camera, making art is how we reclaim our humanity and document our survival.

"Make something. Whether it’s music, a drawing, or a photo, our creativity is our greatest value." — Nikki Glaspie