Album Appreciation: Sunni Colón’s “Satin Psicodelic”

This is an excerpt from our bi-monthly newsletter. For more, make sure to check us out on Substack! This album is the best YouTube has ever done with its algorithm. The video Colón created alongside Satin Psicodelic is an epic expression of beautiful color combinations, people, and musical arrangements.  Vocally, Colón appears to be inspired by the neo-soul stylings of D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, and other classically … Continue reading Album Appreciation: Sunni Colón’s “Satin Psicodelic”

Griselda’s Dominant 2020: A Meta-Analysis

Pre-2020 criticisms of Griselda were founded in monotonous flows, stale production, and overly-hypebeast attitude. But with seven stellar albums this year from Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine, Armani Caesar, and Benny the Butcher, not to mention a wonderful project from fellow Buffalo resident Billie Essco, Griselda has proven that Buffalo is here to stay. Stamping Griselda on the map for many casual listeners in 2020 … Continue reading Griselda’s Dominant 2020: A Meta-Analysis

Press Release: Soleil’s New Video, “Whose Side?”

Last month, Soleil unleashed the single, “Whose Side?” The song has garnered much success and praise. Building on the success, Soleil is back with a vibrant, colorful music video for “Whose Side?” The music video matches the upbeat, feel good vibe that the song exudes.  The music video was directed by Samantha Pertusiello. Similarly to how Soleil was involved in the production of the song, Soleil served … Continue reading Press Release: Soleil’s New Video, “Whose Side?”

Tune in Tuesday: Joyce Wrice, Beez & Gonzo, and Adé Hakim Impress with Fresh Heat

Happy Tune in Tuesday! New releases from Joyce Wrice, Benny the Butcher and Harry Fraud, Adé Hakim, and Beez & Gonzo highlight this week – have you checked them out yet? Joyce Wrice ~ Overgrown Wrice plays with R&B and some hip-hop stylings on her debut studio album, a wonderful effort that has something for everyone Benny the Butcher & Harry Fraud ~ The Plugs … Continue reading Tune in Tuesday: Joyce Wrice, Beez & Gonzo, and Adé Hakim Impress with Fresh Heat

Feeder Tidbits w/ Dayon Greene, Billie Essco, and HIBERNATION

This is an excerpt from our bi-monthly newsletter. For more, make sure to check us out on Substack! Hear from Hummingbird’s Nest: Dayon Greene This past summer, we got on the phone with DMV rising star Dayon Greene to talk about his debut album, Me, and everything that it means for his development as a person and artist. “I just wanna let people know, you’re not … Continue reading Feeder Tidbits w/ Dayon Greene, Billie Essco, and HIBERNATION

Tune in to New Music: Genesis Owusu, CHIKA, and Adrian Younge

This is an excerpt from our bi-monthly newsletter. For more, make sure to check us out on Substack! Tune In: Best Drops of the Past Few Weeks  Genesis Owusu — Smiling with No Teeth Owusu’s debut album is eclectic and surprising — a collection of songs that defy genre identification. Smiling with No Teeth encapsulates rap, R&B, punk, soul, and plenty more throughout the album’s 15 songs … Continue reading Tune in to New Music: Genesis Owusu, CHIKA, and Adrian Younge

Album Appreciation: Adé Hakim’s “HAPPIEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WIDE WEB”

This is an excerpt from our bi-monthly newsletter. For more, make sure to check us out on Substack! Released in 2019, this album is a soulful take on lo-fi hip-hop from one of the genre’s pioneers. A member of NYC collective sLums and producer with credits all over Earl Sweatshirt’s Some Rap Songs, Hakim is an uber-talented individual with the ability to flip soul and … Continue reading Album Appreciation: Adé Hakim’s “HAPPIEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WIDE WEB”

What Kind of Music Do We Need to Create Change?

In order to create change, a soundscape based in talent, experimentation, and compassion must undergird, motivate, and reflect social movements. Creating change is a long process with many steps along the way, but timeless and exciting music is absolutely helpful in changing ideology and then policy. The music and ideology of Erykah Badu, Ric Wilson, Slauson Malone, and Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah provide a high … Continue reading What Kind of Music Do We Need to Create Change?

“Kersaia” by Matana Roberts: An Abstract Black Protest Song

Matana Roberts is an avant garde jazz musician and composer, a conceptual artist that focuses on creating narratives and stories that represent her experience and those of lived experiences of Black folks in the anthropocene. Her song, “Kersaia,” is the third song on the first installment of her Coin Coin series: Coin Coin Chapter 1: Gens de Couleur Libres. It’s a winding, shifting song with … Continue reading “Kersaia” by Matana Roberts: An Abstract Black Protest Song

Nina Simone’s “Mississippi Goddam,” Paved a Way for Contemporary Black Protest Music

Producing a song about racism and society’s unwillingness to see it is a difficult task, but Nina Simone did so with her song “Mississippi Goddam,” taking it to the biggest music stages in America. The song is one of her biggest bouts of protest, a loud, passionate song reacting to senseless violence against Black folks. It specifically comes right after the politically motivated assassination of … Continue reading Nina Simone’s “Mississippi Goddam,” Paved a Way for Contemporary Black Protest Music