The D.C. region is a hotbed of talented musicians. And while the region hasn’t quite received the recognition it deserves, the time is now to see the culture as it is: gushing with creative and eccentric musicians. From established stars to up-and-coming talents, these are five of the best albums from DMV born or raised artists in 2020. Wale — The Imperfect Storm Only eight months … Continue reading The DMV’s Top 5 Albums of 2020
“Freeze Tag,” Dinner Party’s lead single from their 2020 album Dinner Party, is a song steeped in signature elements of Black protest music. Featuring vocal performances from Phoelix on the original song, and Cordae on the song’s remix, the track is a melodic, melancholy song that speaks on police violence with clarity. Released amidst a year that saw a greater focus on Black protest music … Continue reading “Freeze Tag” Brings Together Tenets of Black Protest Music
Louis Armstrong’s 1956 recording and release of the song, “Go Down, Moses” builds upon hundreds of years of Black protest. Standing up to the racist and often limiting strategies of white elites, whether in government or music, releasing this song was a seminal moment in the Black protest music canon. Negro spirituals are religious songs sung by Black folks, combining the spiritual and religious themes … Continue reading Louis Armstrong’s “Go Down, Moses” is a Protest Song
Hyde and Gonzo are here to expel all bad energy this cold season with an energetic, soaring track, the first off Hyde’s upcoming project. The pair link up smoothly for a romantic yet somber single, “Salt on My Tongue,” a release that’ll have you waiting to hear more from the pair. And while Gonzo’s signature heartbreak lyrics are in full effect on the song, Hyde’s … Continue reading “Salt on My Tongue,” an Invigorating Introduction to Hyde [Exclusive Interview]
Black protest music is one of the oldest genres we can conceive of. Building on African rhythms that have been impacted and empowered by life in Africa as well as the trauma of slavery, colonialism, and all of their consequences, Black protest music has been an avenue for Black folks to represent themselves and push back against the oppressive forces that have tried to eradicate … Continue reading How “Alright” Became an Anthem for BLM Protests
Bucking global trends and staying true to her DMV and Nigerian roots, O-Slice made waves in 2020 and is well-positioned to make 2021 a breakout year for herself and her team. She’s an uber-talented rapper with an All Star work ethic and clear vision for her future. There’s no telling how high she can reach. She sees herself in the same lane as Aminé and … Continue reading O-Slice: A Creative Spark for the DMV Region [Interview]
Check it out as TOPSHELFMIKE gives an analysis of GIVEON’s recent album, Take Time, as it relates to the 7 Deadly Sins in Catholicism. TOPSHELFMIKE is a new collaborator with Hummingbird, so make sure to give him a follow! Continue reading GIVEON’s “Take Time” and its Close Relationship to the 7 Deadly Sins
Check in at Hummingbird Headquarters to see which tracks we ranked the highest in 2020! Make sure to follow up and check out our other installments, linked below! And here’s episode two! We go over songs 11-15 🙂 Continue reading Hummingbird YouTube: Top 20 Songs of 2020, Pt. 1: 20-16
Ryal is back with another enchanting video, this time for their evocative single, “Thunder (Solo on the Dancefloor).” We covered their single when it dropped, highlighting the nostalgic and danceable qualities of the song. The video brings out similar feelings as the song, creating a viewing experience without much dissonance. The video features Sam Given free-form dancing in a studio alone, emphasized by lead singer … Continue reading Ryal Releases Enchanting Video for “Thunder (Solo on the Dancefloor)”
Kali Uchis — Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios)∞ Kali’s newest album is almost totally in Spanish, a departure from her mostly-English albums beforehand. Embracing her native language brought about new sounds all over the album, departing the more poppy sounds on Isolation and opting for a more grand, supervillain theme on Sin Miedo. The transition goes over beautifully, as Uchis is able to present … Continue reading November’s Best: Meg Thee Stallion, Kali Uchis, Lou Phelps, Drop World-Shaking Albums
