The Future is Female
The future is female: black women blurring genre lines and changing the music industry
Hey! Shi here to tell you that just because I’m not on the airwaves does not mean we can't live 4 the city in spirit! In honor of Women’s History Month I have selected eight of the dopest black femmes in music right now and I’m going to convince you to stan them! Cool? Okay great, I have a playlist for you at the bottom :)
Solange-Yo, Twitter trolls: dismissing this multi-facetted queen as “Beyoncé's sister” was your first mistake. The second was assuming that her music is a less commercially viable cut from Bey’s legendary cloth. Releasing cutting edge industrial pop and R&B since 2003, Knowles reached the pinnacle of her public and critical esteem with 2016’s epic A Seat at the Table. Filled with raw lyrics commenting on issues ranging police brutality and Black Lives Matter (“Mad,” Where Do We Go,” “F.U.B.U.”) to Knowles’ own personal demons (“Cranes in the Sky,” “Junie”) and accompanied by luscious beats and funk sensibilities the album went on to win Solange a Grammy and a legion of devoted fans. She followed up with 2019’s wonderfully ethereal When I Get Home along with a masterful short film to go along with it, proving Knowles a creative force to be familiarized with.
This could be you if you don’t get it together and join me in worshipping Ms. Whack.
Tierra Whack- Goofy but wicked smart, this Philly rapper emerged on the rap scene in 2011 when a street freestyle went viral. The multi-talented artists went on to release 2017’s inventive Whack World, an exhilarating 15-song album. Each track is just one minute long but packs in major themes and a variety of influences. The project was accompanied by a 15-minute film conceived by Whack herself, proving to be involved in all aspects of her image and sound. She was even nominated for a Grammy for her "Mumbo Jumbo” music video (very creepy but worth the watch). This visionary was featured in the XXL Freshman list along with Rico Nasty and Megan Thee Stallion, was featured on Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift and has continued to release a steady stream of singles accompanied by quirky, thought-provoking videos.
Sudan Archives- A favorite on my show, Brittney Denise Parks aka Sudan Archives is a L.A. based violinist bringing a worldly twist to baroque pop. Drawing from the classic Sudanese fiddlers that inspired her namesake, SA released her debut album Athena in November of last year via Stone Throw Records. The record is a timeless yet urgent expression of vulnerability, pride, and neo-feminism.
Nao- Another L4TC favorite, Nao is a soulful singer tapping into the electronic possibilities of R&B but she definitely doesn’t fit into a genre box. Drawing from an eclectic range of influences the singer has delineated her sound as “wonky funk” as her best singles challenge the conventions of soul and R&B. I recommend starting with her Tiny Desk Concert and working your way to the albums. You won’t regret it.
Brittany Howard- We’re HUGE fans of the Alabama Shakes frontwoman here at WVUM. Many singles from her powerhouse debut Jaime remain in our heavy rotation and I’ve even snuck a song or two on L4TC because how could I not? We all know that the thing that makes Alabama Shakes cut of folky blues so commanding is the raw vocals and emotion of Brittany Howard and her solo stuff does not disappoint in this vain. She’s one of the most valuable players in indie right now and proof that rock isn’t exactly dead but rather experiencing a much-needed rejuvenation helmed by women.
The fact that she can go from THIS to THAT in 0.2 seconds is reason enough to stan.
Rico Nasty- Possibly my favorite human ever-zero cap- this 22-year-old is my go-to when I’m stuck in US-1 evening traffic and full of rage. A favorite among fire signs the D.C. rapper, whose actual name is Maria-Cecilia Simone Kelly (thx wikipedia), is one of the freshest voices in rap today with her addictive fusion of punk and metal with trap beats. Bar only to her rapping capabilities is her delightfully emo street-style as she often boasts multi-colored, spiked mohawks, chokers and cartoonish large boots. (Seriously follow her insta @riconasty) A true original in the rap game, 2019 was a big year for Rico as she released the awesomely titled, Anger Management with Kenny Beats and was featured in XXL Freshman list and even though she was snubbed from the Birds of Prey soundtrack (whoever thought it was a good idea to produce an album of Rico Nasty imitation music with no trace of the actual Rico Nasty needs to be fired. Sorry.) 2020 is shaping up to be an even bigger year for Nasty with her debut set to drop this summer.
Koffee- This 20-year-old is a true maverick in the reggae world. She popped off literally all over the globe with her 2018 single “Toast” (you haven’t had a successful night out in Miami if that song didn’t make the DJ’s playlist) due to its infectious mix of afrobeat and dancehall stylings along with sparkly, uplifting lyrics calling for solidarity. Koffee challenges everything from gender norms with her defiantly androgynous vocals and street style to her lyrical patterns that at times seem taboo in Jamaica. She supported Daniel Caesar on some stops of his Case Study 01 tour (including his stop at the Fillmore last November) and is on the bill for Harry Styles's upcoming Love on Tour shows in Mexico. With her rising popularity suggests an exciting new wave for reggae.
Kodie Shane-Hailing from Atlanta Kodie Shane is a fresh voice in a crowded space. She raps, she sings, she’s queer and isn’t afraid to be 100% herself. Her soulful take on trap allows for a more sensual listening experience than the genre typically embodies with softly sung melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Shane has been gaining steam by collaborating with Trippie Redd for “NO RAP KAP” and “Love & Drugz” and released her latest mixtape BLOOMING VOL. 1 last February.