Evan Dale // Dec 29, 2021
‘Even though you know I’m from the West Coast, I make a sound that screams diversity, but it’s not forced. It’s who I am,’ the LA producer told us earlier in the year when we connected for an interview. Discussing the release of his first four projects – all of which have come through the last two years – it becomes clear that Nappyhigh really does curate a sound that bridges the then and the now; bridges, too, a mosaic of stylistic directions with the old-school reminiscence of a street composer. Eloquently producing beats for collaborative rappers and vocalists who help to tether akin his vision for a wide-ranging auditory aesthetic, his feature-free instrumentals seamlessly spin samples into a curious web of mastery that breathes simultaneously of his roots and of a future where, next to those already crowned within a similar space like Kaytranada and Sango, Nappyhigh’s sound will connect artists and listeners across the spectrum.
See why Nappyhigh is the Most Exciting New Artist of 2021:
Nappyhigh's Rise Through Our Eyes:
The West African Cultural Renaissance is still burning. Rooted in the explosion of music, fashion, art, photography, and cinematography from Ghana and Nigeria in particular, it is still churning out artist after artist across the creative spectrum bringing their exhibition to the global stage. This year – from Benin – the world got to know Ayra Starr who infuses a blend of traditional highlife and Afropop with a modern soulful twist. From her self-titled debut EP at the beginning of the year to the release of her debut album, 19 & Dangerous, this fall, she’s quickly living up to her name beyond just the reach of her own country, or even that of the West African Cultural Renaissance. Instead, bound for global pop stardom, the 19-year-old Starr should be on your radar soon, lest you be on the bandwagon later.
Stream Ayra Starr's Debut Album here:
It should be hard-pressed to find a list of this nature without the mention of at least one new name from Nashville for years to come. (Disclaimer: there is another one further down this page). But first, $avvy. The impeccably gifted, impossibly young rapper, vocalist, model, and emerging style icon has roots in Huntsville, Alabama, and yet is firmly ingrained in the renaissance of the Music City. In a year where he dropped his debut collection Boys Wear Pearls, embarked on a multi-city tour through the South, brought his energy to festival stages, dropped a mosaic of music videos, and somehow managed to get his custom jewelry – pulled from the merch line attached to Boys Wear Pearls – around Tyler, the Creator’s wrist, he is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young names in music. For the foreseeable future, anyone interested in where the hyper-creative youth are taking hip-hop at large should have an eye on $avvy.
$avvy's 2021 Through Our Eyes:
‘The Rap Girl,’ so simply reads her social media handles, minimally delineating – to the tune of the pure rhythm and poetry in her music – who she is at her core. Daisha McBride is another unsurprisingly necessary surprise to emerge from a Nashville citywide Renaissance through the last few years and land herself at the forefront of a changing of the guard in hip-hop. And though it must be noted that to call her new is a bit of a disregard for what she’s already accomplished through single and collection releases dating back to 2017, she also deserves notoriety for her work through the years because it’s played a huge role in landing Nashville at the top of the conversation. The city is humming with hip-hop, neo-soul, and production talent, and now, thanks to projects like 2019 Wild and 2021 Let Me Get This Off My Chest, the world knows, and should know more about Daisha McBride.
Stream Daisha McBride's Let Me Get This Off My Chest, here:
There have been a number of solo singles since 2017 from Phabo, the LA songwriter who has spent the greater part of his creative career behind the curtain – behind the lyrics – of a slew of fellow soulstresses and R&B kings on their own rises. But now is a different season – a different zodiac – a different moon rising for music: Soulquarius. It’s his debut album, and for those that don’t know, the songwriter is also one hell of a vocalist, igniting reminiscence of R&B’s Golden Era with his crystalline pitch, of the 00’s by way of his addicting, lighthearted melody, and of the rangy, indefinable spectrum that Neo-Soul brings in tow today through the rangy, indefinable spectrum of his own sound. Through a year where he at last brought to life the collection of his own genius, his is a rightful place on a list that celebrates new chapters.
Our Thoughts on Phabo's Debut Album, Soulquarius:
