Ready to discover some more talented Black artists? We have a feeling you’ll really like these next 5.
NOVA TWINS
Nova Twins are a punk duo from London, England. Amy Love (vocals) and Georgia South (bassist) have been close friends since childhood. After playing in separate bands, they decided to form the band BRAATS. Their first single was titled “Bad Bitches”. In the summer of 2014, they renamed themselves Nova Twins. Their music is Urban Punk and bass heavy.
On February 28, 2020, Nova Twins released their debut album Who Are The Girls?. Additionally, they won Best U.K. Breakthrough Band at the 2020 Heavy Music Awards. The album is fantastic. Give a listen to “Play Fair”. The song explains how there are some people that you just don’t mess with because you never know what their comeback will be. It’s the ultimate revenge anthem. The video is just as powerful.
“Taxi” is a futuristic banger. It offers up a world in which two women take over by annihilating the men in control. Another powerful statement. The video is a cross between the Matrix and Harley Quinn. Now you have to listen to “Vortex” which is the anchor song to this trifecta. While listening to this track, you’ll feel as if you’re in an altered state. The music video invites you into their world where the underground is in control and the voiceless have a voice. Hell, if anything, you’ll really want an orange jumpsuit.
DDM
Emmanuel Williams is DDm which stands for Dapper Dan Midas. He’s an unapologetically queer Black man who was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. DDm began his life in hip hop as a battle rapper. Lyrically, he is reminiscent of the Notorious BIG.
His latest album The Ballad of Omar is a look at Baltimore in the 90’s through the eyes of a queer Black man. If you’re wondering who Omar is, he’s the infamous stick-up man from HBO’s The Wire. You should check out “Boys Don’t Cry” because it encompasses a common refrain from many boys’ childhoods. It helps you see what that does to a psyche and how it carries over into adulthood.
Beautiful Gowns is DDm’s self-released solo debut. “Hooray” featuring Holly Ann is an upbeat call to living your best life while staying true to yourself. “Don’t stop keep on dancing”. That should be a mantra for us all. In “Pull Up”, DDm lets you know that if you’re feeling a certain way, you can pull up and get handled. The video shows why you should mind your manners. While the world was on lockdown during 2020, DDm was releasing “Stop My Bag”. The entire chorus goes “You can’t stop my bag, bitch” and as you listen to the song you can tell why. The beautiful video furthers the point. DDm is an unstoppable force. Get into him now. You wont regret it.
BLACKSTARKIDS
TheBabeGabe, Deiondre, and TyFaizon (from the Drop Dead XX Collective) make up the group BLACKSTARKIDS. They met while they were juniors at Raytown South High School. This Kansas City, Missouri based group covers many genres including pop, r&b, and hip hop. Their Whatever, Man LP is a great entrée into the world of BLACKSTARKIDS. While listening to “BRITNEY BITCH”, you’ll dream of living life like Britney, Fergie, and Gwen. This song pays homage to the fact that everyone idolizes pop stars and their lifestyles. It’s a fun bop and the music video is a vibrant, 00s nostalgia-fueled dream. “FRANKIE MUNIZ” is an after-breakup song. The music is upbeat, but the lyrics are melancholy. The video gives that same vibe by showing shots of the trio in their homes watching childhood shows and reading comics, possibly trying to cling to a simpler time when heartbreak and responsibilities weren’t an issue.
Don’t sleep on the opening track, “ACTING NORMAL”, because we all can relate. The song is about pretending to fit in when you know that you’re different. You know that your dreams are difficult to attain but you want to try anyway. The video brilliantly shows the anxiety of trying to act normal by placing the group in a boardroom meeting while they attempt to appear and behave like everyone else. Living a life that’s not the norm is a theme that runs throughout this album. It really hits home with “DEAD KENNEDYS”. BLACKSTARKIDS lay out the redundancy of everyday life and dream of life beyond it. The line “I want to be a hero to my younger self” brings about a feeling that we all have had.
“LOVE, STARGIRL” is a song from their Surf LP, which was released in February of 2020. “LOVE, STARGIRL” tells women to be themselves. Women can be sexual without being shamed. The video shows the group romping through a mall wanting to live life freely and equally without judgement. You are really going to love this group.
SERENA ISIOMA
Serena Isioma is a 20-year-old Nigerian American, Chicago-based artist. Their music is a blend of many genres from modern r&b to indie pop. Isioma released their first EP Sensitive in March 2020. The title track is a fun, lo-fi poppy banger with swagger that calls out oversensitive men. The video shows Isioma vibin’ with their friends. It’s a great visual that flows with the song. Trust the song is fire.
The Leo Sun Sets is their latest LP. “Stop Calling the Police on Me” is a dreamy track with a clear message: fuck the police. Isioma wants to have fun without being policed or dealing with authority. “King” dives into identity and self worth over guitar fuzz. They don’t want to lose themselves in love. The visuals are as carefree as they are trippy. “Blue Sky” is a sonic wonderland that flawlessly shifts between styles as Isioma sings about hypersexuality.
Just last week, Isioma dropped “HUH?”. This groovy, unapologetic anthem is *the* song for the Movement. It shows that some people of differing hues play like they are about that life when they truly aren’t. It is an out loud “I see you”. Isioma has really called out the pretenders in a way that is succinct and truthful. Just like the rest of their music.
The music video for “HUH?” just dropped today and it’s a must watch. The 70s are in full effect.
THE CHILDLIKE EMPRESS
The Childlike Empress music will entrance you like no other. The Pittsburgh-based multidimensional artist dropped an incredible debut album in 2019 titled Take Care Of Yourself. The album is a blend of indie-rock and folk but it’s their raw lyricism (over a banjo!) that truly draws you in on first listen.
The album dives into heavy topics such as depression, addiction, and toxic relationships. The title track carries an important message that feels more like a message to themselves rather than the listener: “Don’t blame other people / for your mental health / They’re dealin with their own shit /It’s not their job to help / Let go of that anger / Clean off that shelf / Make a vow to grow old / And take care of yourself.” They’re learning to put themselves first and to release the pain their partner caused.
“A.C.A.B.” is definitely an album highlight. As the title suggests, the song is about police brutality and mass incarceration. A powerful track that’s worth listening to.
Another album highlight is “Yikes!” It’s not only the end of the album but also signifies the end of a toxic relationship. They realize that they can’t save their partner, so rather than drown with them, they choose to let go: “I love you and you love me / but you don’t know how to not act like / a crazed beast / so I’ll set you free.” The last half of the song gives closure. They’re singing everything they want their partner to hear. It’s a poignant sign off.
In an interview with The Pittsburgh Current, The Childlike Empress says, “The album is called Take Care Of Yourself because it was about me being pushed to absolute rock bottom and, in turn, that made me realize how poorly I’ve treated myself my whole life. My destruction at the hands of someone who was not worthy of destroying me made me realize that nobody is allowed to do that to me ever again.” Take Care Of Yourself is a captivating story of perseverance, self love, and healing.