My favorite Black artists

Even though Black History Month has passed, it is still important to continue to highlight Black artists, and I would like to share some of my favorite artists.

If you know anything about music history, you would know that Black culture is rooted in many of our modern-day musical genres, and it’s only right that we recognize and appreciate all that they have contributed to the wonderful world of music.

I’d like to share artists who aren’t mainstream, or at least those you wouldn’t hear on the radio that often. Of course, there are lots of talented Black artists who have entered the mainstream, but I would encourage you to broaden your scope and hopefully check out some of the artists on this list.

This list is not ranked or organized in a hierarchical order, and I tried my best to group them by genre!

1. Kilo Kish (R&B/Soul and Pop)

Kilo Kish uses fun beats and a mix of R&B in her discography. “NICE OUT” is the first song of hers that I heard and after that I wanted more. To jump in, I would recommend her newest album “AMERICAN GURL” released in 2022. Some of my favorite songs from that album are “DEATH FANTASY,” “ATTENTION POLITICIAN” and the title track. Kilo Kish has also been featured on Gorillaz “Out of Body” in their album “Humanz.” She’s also collaborated with Vince Staples and Childish Gambino.

2. Ravyn Lenae (R&B and Soul)

You may have heard of Ravyn Lenae from her track “Love Me Not” which has been circling around social media lately. If you haven’t already, I recommend listening to the whole album, “Bird’s Eye.” I also enjoy her album “HYPNOS.” Some good songs to get into would be “Venom”, “Skin Tight” (feat. Steve Lacy), and “Satellites”. Also if you are a fan of Doechii go ahead and give their song “Xtacy.”

3. Yves Tumor (Experimental Rock/ Electronic)

The first song I heard from Yves Tumor was “Kerosene!” from his album “Heaven To A Tortured Mind.” I recommend giving that whole album a listen especially if you like alternative rock and experimental beats. After the first listen I quickly discovered the rest of his discography. His first album, “When Man Fails You” is a fully instrumental album and its tone changes from very serious to light. Yves Tumor has also been featured in many works with different artists like Joji, Blood Orange, and WILLOW. 

4. SPELLLING (Experimental Pop)

I absolutely love SPELLLING’s albums, “Mazy Fly” and “The Turning Wheel.” SPELLLING does an amazing job balancing ethereal and haunting in her music. I think the two songs that best describe this are “Boys at School” and “Haunted Water.” SPELLLING is also coming out with a new album in March titled “Portrait of My Heart.”

5. Kelsey Lu (Avant Pop)

If you watched the first season of “Euphoria” you probably heard Kelsey Lu’s cover of “I’m Not in Love.” The cover comes from her album “Blood” and this is another album I would recommend giving a whole listen to. Kelsey Lu has got such a great voice and it carries so well with her songs like “Poor Fake” and “Pushin Against the Wind.” 

6. Kevin Abstract (Hip-hop/Rap and R&B)

Kevin Abstract originally led the boy band “Brockhampton” which disbanded in 2022. Kevin Abstract himself had released solo work before the disbandment with his first single dating back to 2013 with “Angels.” Two albums I would like to highlight are “American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story and Viceland” and “Arizona Baby.” Kevin Abstract’s music tends to talk about his experience as a bisexual man and his struggles with finding acceptance with his friends and family. 

I hope that you give a listen to these artists and explore the albums and singles that I didn’t list. Also continue to share other artists that you enjoy with your friends and even with strangers. There are hundreds more Black artists that come from all different types of genres to discover.