Where did the time go? It’s the last day in June, which means it’s the last day of Black Music Month. This month and this series may be coming to an end, but here at For The Culture Zine, we will continue to honor and uplift Black artists all year long. Now without further ado, let’s get to know our last 5 artists.
IAMDOECHII
Iamdoechii is a rapper/singer born and raised in Tampa, Florida who now resides in New York. She is the poster child for arts in school. Iamdoechii went to a school that saw the importance of art and her artistry draws on her education. How many rappers can count Barbara Park and Dr. Seuss as influences? “What’s Your Name?”, from her EP Oh The Places You’ll Go (Dr. Suess), grabs you from the beginning. The TV show Pose needs to do just one more episode featuring present day ball culture with “What’s Your Name?” as the competition song. For a sneak peek as to how the episode will look, check out Iamdoechii’s video for this song. “Black Girl Memoir” is an anthem for all the little Black girls who don’t see themselves represented in popular culture; but how despite this, they can dream big dreams. Iamdoechii can also be smooth as evidenced by “Something Real”. It has that driving-with-the-top-down-while-looking-fabulous vibe. Iamdoechii can sing. Now we get to *the* song “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake”. The title is a reference from a Junie B. Jones book. Iamdoechii shows off her lyrical prowess here. This song encapsulates her childhood, and her rapping is only equaled by her writing. It’s an unbelievable track and the music video is a much watch.
While riding the wave of success from “Yucky Blucky Fruitcake”, Iamdoechii released her BRA-LESS EP. This is really her time. Who else is serving us empowering trap-R&B anthems like “GIRLS”? “SHIT” lets us know that Iamdoechii is that girl. It is a short bop that allows Iamdoechii to boss up. When she bosses up, everybody wins.
FANA HUES
This jazzy R&B singer is from Pasadena, CA. As a child, she suffered from tonsillitis, strep throat and scarlet fever at the same time. Fana Hues’ vocal cords were badly damaged, and she spoke in a whispered tone for 5 years. Thank goodness she was able to regain her voice. Take a listen to her album, Hues and you’ll be thankful too. “Yellow” is that song you’ll find yourself humming for days. It’s jazzy song that feels as warm as sunshine. The video has Hues camping with her girls and romping in a meadow. It’s a celebration of sisterhood. The video for “Lay Up” acts as a sister video for “Yellow”. Here, we see Hues and her girls drinking wine and dancing inside a cozy home in Northern California. The instrumental itself is a breezy hip-hop/rnb beat where Hues announces to her partner, and the world, that she refuses to get played. She makes sure to get that point across in the video when she cuts the head off of a fish. Message received.
The 60’s sound of “Icarus” is every woman’s lament of loving too hard, living amongst the clouds and then crashing to earth when it’s over. The video shows a woman’s safe place is among other women. Her voice on “Desert Flower” is the very definition of lilting. It’s sheer perfection. This track expresses heartbreak in every conceivable way, even the video is heartbreaking. You have got to tune into Fana Hues. She truly is every woman.
DE'WAYNE
De’Wayne Jackson was raised in Spring, TX, outside of Houston. He now lives in Los Angeles where he became a part of LA’s musical landscape. DE’WAYNE is an alternative singer/rapper. It’s a good label, but DE’WAYNE proves more and more that he can’t be put in a box or boxes. His art crosses many genres. The title track from the LP STAINS is a testament to this. It starts off as hard rock, intense; then it glides into smooth jazz as he raps over that. The video is an animated foray through the music industry’s highs and lows. “They tell you don’t move and just put your hands up”: This is how young black men and boys are introduced to the criminal justice system. DE’WAYNE uses this line in the song “National Anthem”. You see he, along with many other people of color, doesn’t feel that the old anthem reflects him or his reality. DE’WAYNE’s new anthem speaks to the new generation. “Super 8” is as fun as it is risqué. Awsten Knight gives an assist to “Perfume” which is THE post breakup song. He hates her, she hates him, and the world goes round and round. The video further amplifies the rock sound. DE’WAYNE has a great career ahead of him.
BABY ROSE
Baby Rose aka Jasmine Rose Wilson was born in Washington D.C. and raised in Fayetteville, N.C. The 26-year-old is now Atlanta based. Baby Rose is a modern day Billie Holliday. Visually, all she needs is a gardenia in her hair. Vocally, she is all the way there. Just listen to “Borderline” off her album, To Myself. The song is about sitting on the precipice of leaving a relationship or staying while knowing it isn’t good for you. “All to Myself” is a poignant song about trying not to make that call and keeping all of the feelings to oneself. The music and Baby Rose’s voice are truly haunting. The video is equally compelling. It’s portrayal of loneliness is spot on.
“I want to show you, but so many words get in the way”: This is a great line from the song, “Show You”. Baby Rose sings about what it’s like to get in our head during a relationship. The song paints a true picture of relationship angst and a remix feat. Q was featured on Insecure. Baby Rose is all grown up and on her way.
TRIP CARTER
Trip Carter was born and raised in Southern California. He studied jazz at USC. Trip is a songwriter/singer/rapper/bassist. He released his latest EP, Slim Tripper in June 2021 and he’s bringing his truth as well as those much needed West Coast vibes. “She loves me like a rock star/that’s an ego trip/She fucks me like a porn star/she could go pro” those are the opening lines of “Ego Trip”. It’s a vibrant track with a killer hook.
When some people are fresh out of a relationship. They cannot wait to hit the street. Trip gives us a song, “Freshout” that perfectly reflects the feeling and attitude when it’s finally over. The video is funny, and we all know that guy. His song “Heavyweight” is a song born out of the pandemic. Sometimes, when your mind gets heavy, you need to rely on your friends and family to help carry you through. The video gives a visual to a typical Southern California day, drivin’ around with your friends eating In-N-Out. In “Goodbyes”, Trip captures the end of a relationship where you have no choice but to move on. Trip Carter is as honest as he is talented. Give him a listen.