Brent Faiyaz occupies a unique place within music. While many R&B artists sample from the songs of their youth, Brent opts for a more minimalist approach. His latest album, Wasteland, avoids the unnecessary by anchoring his instrumentals around airy musical arrangements. …

Nine months after Certified Lover Boy, Drake stunned the world with the sudden release of Honestly, Nevermind. A proper review is impossible without acknowledging South African house DJ and Executive Producer Black Coffee. The opening track, “Falling Back,” finds Drake recalling heartbreak. “How do you say to my face, time…

A couple of weeks ago, I received a question about my favorite video on YouTube. Their catalog of unreleased remixes and live performances is a dream for any music nerd. Recently, I’ve been captivated by a D’Angelo performance at the 2000 MTV Movie Awards. At the time, he was the…

It didn’t take long for me to like Seafood Sam. His 2018 single, “Ramsey,” pushed my understanding of what rap can be with a creative sample from Japanese artist Makoto Matsushita. Seafood Sam compliments the unrushed beat with a conversational delivery. Lyrically he is flexible, casually rapping about basketball and…

After their acclaimed album Ungodly Hour, Chlöe x Halle occupied a unique place within music. Since the 90s, the popularity and number of R&B groups have declined dramatically. The sisters are most comfortable and empowered when singing in unison. Chlöe’s soulful voice complements Halle’s higher vocal range to create beautiful…

Today, the popular rappers from the early 2010s are fighting for relevance. Drake’s longevity is the exception, with his ability to recognize new trends and artists essential to his lasting success. …

I haven’t been writing as much which has made choosing my first topic of the year even harder. With no album in January worthy of an immediate review, I have enlisted the help of my friends! A week ago, I asked for music questions, with the promise I would answer…

The Grammys always seem to get it wrong. Every year, they ignore Black artists’ cross-cultural impact and appeal, continually relegating them to genre-specific categories. This year is no different as Jazmine Sullivan’s Heaux Tales wasn’t nominated for Record and Album of the Year. …

For stoop lee, the past is something he cherishes. The Detroit-born artist is keenly aware of how his upbringing made him the person and artist he is today. He brings forth a youthful exuberance while navigating relationships and the subtle moments that make or break them. …