Album Appreciation: Young M.A.’s “Off The Yak” Stakes Royal Claim

This is an excerpt from our bi-monthly newsletter. For more, make sure to check us out on Substack! This is your yearly reminder that Young M.A. is making some of the best drill and trap music these days. Off the Yak is a noisy collection of heavy hitting beats and undeniable braggadocio. “Hello Baby” sees the Queen of New York body Fivio Foreign, showing that … Continue reading Album Appreciation: Young M.A.’s “Off The Yak” Stakes Royal Claim

Interview: Muwosi Describes Gentle Confidence, Creating “Of Compassion”

Focusing on a strong yet gentle sense of self-assuredness, Muwosi’s recent EP, Of Compassion sees the young artist beautifully cultivate personal and airy lyrics and aesthetics.  Produced by LA jazz pianist-composer-producer Lionmilk, Of Compassion displays Muwosi at her core; an empathetic artist seeking to curate gentle and holistic music.  She says it’s relieving to finally release the EP, which was inspired by and started in … Continue reading Interview: Muwosi Describes Gentle Confidence, Creating “Of Compassion”

Tune in Tuesday: Greentea Peng, Fire in Little Africa Show Out

Fire in Little Africa ~ Fire in Little Africa In the goal of memory and re-education about the Tulsa Massacre, a group of local artists created this album along with a multimedia education project you can find on their website. Mndsgn ~ Rare Pleasure A gentle, easy-on-the-ears listen, Mndsgn’s romantic musings will keep you repeating this album over and over. THE 6TH LETTER ~ Coneman … Continue reading Tune in Tuesday: Greentea Peng, Fire in Little Africa Show Out

Erykah Badu’s Legendary Impact Part 1: “Baduizm” & “Tyrone” Set the Foundation

This is part four of a four-part series on Erykah Badu’s massive role in communicating and normalizing Black feminism and Afro-futurism in contemporary discourses. Check out parts two, three, and four. From her debut in 1997, Erykah Badu and her music have empowered people across intersections of race, gender, ethnicity, and class. ‘Baduizm,’ her personal philosophy, is based in empathy and honesty and impacts the … Continue reading Erykah Badu’s Legendary Impact Part 1: “Baduizm” & “Tyrone” Set the Foundation

Genesis Owusu Review: “Smiling with No Teeth” is an Eclectic Masterpiece

Once in a while, a new artist appears who manages to successfully draw inspiration from their idols and come up with something that is very much rooted in the past, yet undeniably carries the artist’s own waterprint. With his debut album, 23-year-old Ghanaian-Australian musician Genesis Owusu (Kofi Owusu-Ansah) has managed to do just that. Inspired by Kendrick Lamar’s masterpiece To Pimp a Butterfly both conceptually … Continue reading Genesis Owusu Review: “Smiling with No Teeth” is an Eclectic Masterpiece

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”

Ravenna’s Sikh Roots

Raveena Aurora’s music video for her new single, “Tweety,” mixes ‘90s nostalgia, psychedelic visuals, and South Asian aesthetics with an intoxicating pop sound that lives up to her past album. Her music video weaves together seemingly disparate parts to show –– once again –– the love, fun, and beauty of embracing her diasporic identity. Raveena is a powerful presence as she speaks up for her … Continue reading Ravenna’s Sikh Roots

Livestreams, Memes, and Improvisation: How a Band Called Goose Became the Next Big Act for Jam Music During a Pandemic.

[Hummingbird Exclusive Interview] Due to the past year of lockdowns, quarantines, and an audible absence of live music, the spring of 2021 has become a great hope, a life-preserver that bands and fans have been doggy-paddling towards throughout the uncharted waters of pandemia. Connecticut-based jam band, Goose, recently announced their May run of drive-in shows that will be the group’s first performances of the new … Continue reading Livestreams, Memes, and Improvisation: How a Band Called Goose Became the Next Big Act for Jam Music During a Pandemic.

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

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