The purity of Jennifer Johns’ voice is never lost within her music. This singer and artist is Oakland born and raised and that Bay Area swagger is present as she performs. Her music is influenced by the African diaspora, hip hop and soul. More than just an entertainer her music speaks to social justice causes and she uses her talent to bring awareness to the issues closest to her heart. It is this commitment to
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Moses Sumney is based in LA but quickly taking the world by storm. His stirring voice is paired with production unique to Grizzly Bear member Chris Taylor's independent Terrible Records. This singer whose voice is reminiscent of Maxwell yet experimental instrumentation brings to mind James Blake is wholly unique. Moses Sumney has a range sitting in that popular falsetto range coupled with unforgettable musicality. Label mate Solange had Moses play at her exclusive party during Essence
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Tona Brown is an inspiring figure in many different ways, an accomplished violinist and mezzo-soprano recently made headlines becoming the first trans person to perform for a sitting president as well as the first trans person of color to perform at Carnegie Hall. As evidenced by the title “From Stonewall to Carnegie Hall” this artist doesn’t shy away from activism either, she was recently profiled in The Root as a transgender women using her visibility
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If Janelle Monae says you’re a person to watch, who are we to argue? Jidenna is climbing the charts with his single “Classic Man” but this Wondaland star is also climbing his way into our hearts. Born to an American mother and Nigerian father, Jidenna graduated from Stanford before signing to Wondaland. Talent, style and smarts it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand why Jidenna is the #NextBigThing https://youtu.be/URiDdlAS6ls Jidenna - Classic Man remix
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Musician Kev Choice is able to seamlessly switch between a club banger to a classical piano piece and feel 100% authentic performing either. Performing at the 15th annual Art & Soul festival in Oakland, this artist made us stand up and take notice. A seasoned artist, he's been the musical director for Ms. Lauryn Hill and has performed with Mos Def, Digable Planets, DJ Quik and others. According to Choice’s website, his artistic vision is
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In anticipation of the new season of “The Next Big Thing,” we are counting down by sharing with you some creators and influential people who we think will be the next big thing in culture! Bay Area based band Antique Naked Soul set themselves and their music apart by only using their voices for instrumentation. Great harmonies led by Candice “Antique” Davis and backed by N’gala McCoy and Jamie Brown are backed by beatboxer Tommy
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