Power in Sound
It is the end of Black History Month, but it's never the end of listening to my favorite Black artists that have stayed and constantly re-enter my rotation.
February has been a month dedicated to returning to artists that I have loved in the past as a way to recuperate from listening to 75 albums within the past year.
As Black History month comes to a close, I wanted to share the seven artists I recommend to add in your rotation across genres that I have been listening to frequently:
Abby Jasmine
Abby Jasmine is no stranger to Culture Yap as I covered her CLOSURE album last year for my first Cover-to-Cover. If you missed it, Abby Jasmine is a New-York based rapper and singer who blends the two in her artistry seamlessly.
The first song of Jasmine’s I fell in love with was “Groovy” that kept me sane through the heart of the pandemic. Since then, she has gone onto to release her debut album Who Cares followed by Growing Pains and CLOSURE. Recently, her latest album has fallen back into my listening at the start of this year along with one of her latest releases “Caught Up.” Give Abby Jasmine a listen if you like Chxrry, Kiana Ledé, and SZA.
Alemeda
Alemeda is also no stranger to Culture Yap as I covered her FK IT EP last year as one of my Hidden Gems. If you missed it, Alemeda is an Ethopian-Sudanese singer and songwriter known for blending alternative rock and pop. She has released two EPs that lean more into this genre that fits snug into my alternative persona.
The first single that made me fall in love with her signature style of music was “Gonna Bleach My Eyebrows” as it was the perfect song to do work to, get ready to go out on a night-time adventure with friends, etc. Give Alemeda a listen if you like Olivia Rodrigo, Paramore, and Florence + The Machine.
flowerovlove
Joyce Cissé, better known as flowerovlove, is a British-Ivorian singer, songwriter, and producer who debuted in 2020. Since she has debuted, flowerovlove has released a total of three EPs including Think Flower, A Mosh Pit in the Clouds, and Ache in my Tooth.
For me, her single “breaking news” holds a special place in my rotation with its airy and light nature of the song that perfectly encapsulates the idea of having a crush and falling in love with someone. Give flowerovlove a listen if you like PinkPantheress, Rachel Chinouriri, and Remi Wolf.
Laila!
Laila! made one of my favorite albums in 2024 at the height of my graduate student career at Northwestern Medill. If you don’t know Laila!, she is a New York singer, songwriter, and producer known for her airy bedroom R&B songs and melodic raps. Her debut album, Gap Year!, was one — and still is — of my favorite albums that came out in the middle of 2024 with its dreamy melodies and smooth lyrical nature. Give Laila! a listen if you like Cleo Sol, Brent Faiyaz, and Summer Walker.
Natanya
Natanya was one of the many artists I discovered while scrolling through my timeline on Twitter and found myself in the crust of my 75-hard listen with her release of Feline’s Return. Natanya is a North West London singer who was put on my radar with her track, “Sofa Joy.” The entirety of the EP features elements of 2000s dance-pop with silky vocals and unique production arrangements on certain tracks. Give Natanya a listen if you like PinkPantheress, Rochelle Jordan, and SZA.
Sarina
Sarina Desir, best known as Sarina, is a Haitian-American singer, songwriter, and producer. I discovered Sarina after hearing her song, “Olé” during my usual social media scrolling, and I absolutely fell in love with her musicality from her vocals, lyrics, and production. This doesn’t stop with “Olé” as her EP, What You Didn’t Know, follows the same vein of production as the track that had her enter my rotation. Give Sarina a listen if you love artists like Tyla, Amaarae, and Ayra Starr.
Samara Cyn
Samara Cyn is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter that I discovered right before the debut of her first album. The first freestyle of hers that came across my timeline was her “massa freestyle” that had a cadence and flow so smooth that it left me wanting more in 2024.
Since then, Cyn has gone onto release her debut album, The Drive Home, and singles to follow. The Drive Home wasn’t a disappointment in the slightest as Cyn’s cadence and flow came out stronger in tracks in two of my favorites, “Sinner” and “Rolling Stone.” Give Samara Cyn a listen if you like Little Simz, Doechii, and Tierra Whack.