'I'm So Happy I Cry' : Fantastic Negrito and Tank Address Change With New Song & Video

Fantastic Negrito is a two time Grammy Award winner already, and you may have caught his performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert from quarantine.

He's teamed up with "Tank" Ball of New Orleans' Tank and the Bangas for a new single and video, "I'm So Happy I Cry" which addresses some serious themes about change, but also addresses joy at seeing change come about. It's a single off Fantastic Negrito's upcoming August album, Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?

On the collaboration, Tank says:

“‘I’m So Happy I Cry’ to me is about being so overjoyed when change finally comes from living a life of constant fear and survival. It’s the truest testament in believing not only is change gonna come, but it is here.

Fantastic Negrito always told me that we would make history together. I believed him. Fantastic Negrito from a distance is plain ole weird. But when I met him, I found that he was brilliant in his own way. He believes in unity, self determination, music, community, family and he makes you feel comfortable to be yourself and create timeless music.”

Fantastic Negrito adds:

“I was really inspired to write ‘I’m So Happy I Cry’ the day after reading of Juice WRLD’s death. There are so many young artists suffering from what I perceive as mental illness. Imagine having everything you want in the world and still feeling the need to medicate until it kills you. There is something very sick -- and tragic -- about that.

I mention them because this current movie that’s on repeat, I’ve seen it before, I’ve been in it, and I want to speak out. I want to warn them that they are surrounded by people and companies who profit from the destruction of their mind, bodies, souls and ultimately their community. I’m a middle-aged guy. I have small children, so I try to be very careful about what I’m putting out into the universe. If I feel like I have some experience or wisdom on an issue, I try to make a contribution.

Working with Tank was such a joy. She is a powerful, dynamic artist, and we made a little bit of history together. It was the first time that two Tiny Desk winners collaborated on a song. I think it really gives validation to how important Bob Boilen and the NPR Tiny Desk Contest are. None of this would have happened without them.”