Alternative Black Musicians

03-27-2012, 06:28 AM

I'm speaking of black artists who may sing, who may rap, but their lyrics have substance to them, or their style of music breaks the usual trends heard on BET or Top 40s "Hip Hop n RnB" radio stations.

For instance, Janelle Monae released ArchAndroid, an album whose format resembles a symphony, with movements! This is without a doubt my favorite album ever purchased (which says a lot for me because I can usually never pick a favorite anything). You could try to file her under pop, but then you hear two other songs and can't decide if it's RnB or rock or jazz. I love it! I've been internally begging for an album or artist that satiates my desires for variety in my music. I said that if I took the musical route for a career, I would strive to confuse the genres! I would have opera, jazz, rap, rock, country, and swing all on one album. Every single would have to be played on a different music channel... She's pretty much done this, and from this article, it turns out we have a lot of similar interests. I'm trying not to develop a lesbo-crush on this woman.

She's about as unique as it gets in my book, but I also admire Childish Gambino, Andre 3000, Gnarls Barkley and the old Res. I haven't heard much from her lately, but she gave some good singles, and she's a beautiful creature.

Do you have more suggestions? They don't have to be black, but if they have that similar eclectic style about their music, they're certainly worth mentioning.

Some of the artists I mentioned are also high on my favorites list because their music can be considered art. A work that evokes a mental or emotional response from the receiver, makes one think about it and interpret it differently from someone else. It opens the way for discussion about a topic, rather than just getting people up and dancing or sobbing or squealing or grinding or belting about "love."

Artists like St. Vincent, old Lupe Fiasco work and Foo Fighters even. I just love being enthralled by the words and painted an image that vaguely expresses an idea so that I can form my own interpretation. Don't just let it all out and spoonfeed us what you want us to get from your song, make it a journey for us! Make the theme worthwhile but having our minds wrap around it and truly absorb it. I just love it.

SO YEAH! Any artists you like like that? I enjoy learning of new great non-Top-40s artists.