watch this space, vol 2.
a video playlist edition of who got next?
today (June 7) is Prince’s birthday and though i don’t have his music in my physical collection yet, his songs have soundtracked my life forever and will continue to do so. i do have this 33 1/3 book about Sign o’ the Times that i’ll be reading this summer.
(SN: i’m hoping to collect more from this literary series and my birthday is coming up next month…just dropping hints, you feel me?)
but of all the memorable things about the late virtuoso Prince Rogers Nelson, i’m recalling that he knew how to identify rising talent; he was a mentor to many and still an inspiration to most in terms of genre-defying sound and gender-expansive style.
in the spirit of putting people on, what follows is an update to watch this space — my ongoing playlist of people i wanna hear more from and who i think got next. i’ve included videos this time to honor the depth of artistry and commitment to aesthetics that’s evident amongst this selection.
Greentea Peng
i’ll admit that the viral context of how people shared Greentea Peng’s COLORS Studios video originally made her music seem a little hokey. however, in the proper context of the South London artist’s stylistic inspirations, her open use of medicinal mushrooms and plant allies, and the fact that her newly-released debut album Man Made was recorded in 432 HZ (in correspondence with the heart chakra), i get the healing frequency that Greentea Peng is on and we need more of it.
AG Club
i’ve already talked about the Bay Area music collective AG Club within the newsletter, but i still strongly believe everyone needs to be aware of this modern boy band with an admirable DIY ethos. with their highly editorial, cinematic music videos and whirlwind of genre references, Avant Garde Club has made me feel the same way that i felt about Wu-Tang Clan, Odd Future, A$AP Mob, Pro Era, Brockhampton — i love a supergroup!
come to think of it, the extended ensemble track deserves its own post within the newsletter one day *taking notes* *stay tuned*
SPELLLING
earlier this Spring, i bought SPELLLING’s album Mazy Fly on Bandcamp just off the strength of the track “Hard to Please (Reprise). it was sometime around dusk, but that didn’t matter as i knew this record needed to be in my life — the enchanting Oakland artist had been on my radar for my while.
i was delighted to discover that just as i was getting into her music, the musician aka Tia Cabral announced she had some new tunes on the way. Turning Wheel EP just came out on June 2 and it’s a ethereal treat. the full length album is due out June 25.
Paris Texas
i’m just getting into this duo from Compton, so i don’t know a whole bunch about their origins. but i was led to their music from AG Club, which does make a whole lotta sense. they just released their project BOY ANONYMOUS on May 14 and it’s pretty solid. i think they’ll be on way more folks’ radar this summer.
Kenny Mason
Kenny Mason is another artist who i was led to via a station by AG Club, but i had already heard of him independently and just hadn’t fully listened yet. i’m getting the sense that the algorithms think i like rap that’s heavy on the rock and roll — and they are not wrong. rock and roll is Black people music at the end of the day. anyway, Mason hails from Atlanta and recently released Angelic Hoodrat: Supercut, the sequel to 2020’s Angelic Hoodrat.
Deem Spencer
Queens rapper Deem Spencer has honestly been one of my favorites for a while. yet outside of viewing him in the short experimental film Marnifesto for Italian fashion house Marni last year, i hadn’t heard much from him in a while. he recently resurfaced with this beautiful ode to love and commitment called “Wife Wife” featuring another one of my indie faves, Okay Kaya. the video features Spencer and his girlfriend headed to the courthouse to supposedly tie the knot and it’s so beautiful to witness their mutual joy and admiration.
reggie
Reginald Helms Jr., known professionally as reggie, has a sweet and earnest voice that will make you pause in your tracks to give him your full attention. the Houston musician’s sound is gospel, R&B, hip-hop, and rap all in one. its raw and honest, full of beautiful testimonies and a triumphant spirit.
Olivia Dean
London singer-songwriter Olivia Dean makes music that’s confessional, yet refined…somber, yet optimistic. i like the fullness of her sound and the timbre of her voice. we all know London soul just got that extra oomph, so Dean’s music was refreshing but not at all surprising to discover. she just released a new EP this past Friday titled Olivia Dean If You Know What I Mean.
to wrap up, here’s the updated audio playlist for watch this space!