Ali McGuirk – Where Does All The $ Come From? (Foundation Movement Remix)
Today, singer-songwriter Ali McGuirk releases a hip-hop remix of “Where Does All The $ Money Come From?”, a track from her highly-acclaimed album Watertop, which came out this past September. The remix features expanded lyrics by Ernesto “Eroc” Arroyo-Montano, a Boston emcee and cultural organizer, known for his radical award-winning band, Foundation Movement, as well as production by GRAMMY, Golden Globe and Image Award winner Charles Haynes, and added vocals from Boston soul singer and activist, Jonathan Gramling.
McGuirk writes, “I’ve looked to Eroc’s voice in conversations around justice and liberation since we met 10 years ago at a festival on Park Street in Boston. He is someone who carries an energy of love and clarity that I deeply admire, which is so needed in our world today. I’ve learned so much from him over the years, and it was a dream come true to collaborate with him on this track.”
“When speaking about this song and working on the remix, it was like connecting with a new old friend – the energy has been electric. I felt immediately understood and there was an instant sense of momentum to create this track and share this message together.”
“Eroc is a steadfast voice of justice, challenging the systems of white supremest, neo-colonial Western dominance. His band has performed in Palestine and other countries around the world. They shared stages with major activist voices, from Angela Davis to Billy Bragg to Noam Chomsky. I find the arc of his career totally inspiring and I’ve long aspired to use my voice and platform in a similar way. This track is a huge step towards that goal.”
“Hip hop production is so different from recording with the full band. Watching this remix come together was a magical and expansive experience. It was so cool to work with the producer Charles Haynes, who has so much incredible experience with idols of mine like Patti Labelle, Mos Def, MIA, Robert Glasper and Meshell Ndegeocello, (not to mention giants like Lady Gaga and Ed Sheeran). Jonathan Gramling’s vocals are so raw and spiritual and they added so much beautiful color to this remix. I’m forever grateful for this track and the chance to learn from all three of the musicians I collaborated with.”
Her first release since the 2022 album Til It’s Gone, Watertop (Sept. 12, 2025) elevated McGuirk’s signature soulful and smoldering sound to new heights—this time, the production is richer, and the message is unflinching. McGuirk recently realized how much her voice as an artist has evolved while writing and arranging the new album. “I’m actually delivering a message, not necessarily processing my feelings, but delivering my thoughts on the matter. That felt like a different role to embody as a songwriter.”
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment that led to the freedom in McGuirk’s songwriting on Watertop. Perhaps it was when she began treating social activism—and her care for others—as a spiritual practice. This transformation gave Watertop its raison d’etre, which comes at you quickly with the opening track, “Love Goes First.”
On Watertop, McGuirk takes a magnifying glass to the complexities of human and societal value, unraveling the meanings of care, empathy, love, and even greed. Sonically, she leans into creating experimental soundscapes filled with her soulful, smoldering sound and aims right for the heart with her songwriting. Altogether, the songs are a microscopic look at our societal values. McGuirk shies away from nothing, exploring the meaning of things like God, empathy, love, and greed.
#alisingssongs