Tyler Blankinship10 Independent Artists You Should Know: May 2022
This is part of a series highlighting 10 independent artists each month. Artists are presented in alphabetical order. To be considered for future entries, you can submit your music via the email address provided below.
Ausar
Rapper from Chicago
One Song Introduction: "Paradise" ft. Thelonious Martin
One Sentence Pitch: Authenticity is the core of Ausar's songwriting, whether he's musing about honeybees, bragging about his accomplishments, or opening up about his personal life.
Links: Twitter, Instagram, Website
Jaywop
Rapper from Washington
One Song Introduction: “Red Water” ft. Donte Thomas, Sxlxmxn, & Mick Jenkins
One Sentence Pitch: Jaywop continues to elevate his craft, always managing to hold his own while surrounding himself with an ever-growing list of impressive collaborators.
KAINA
Singer-songwriter and producer from Chicago
One Song Introduction: “Anybody Can Be In Love"
One Sentence Pitch: KAINA creates a soulful, genre-blending sound that is somehow both instantly familiar and entirely new--- a perfect canvas for her warm vocals and nostalgic songwriting.
Links: Twitter, Instagram, Website
Kate Bollinger
Singer-songwriter from Virginia
One Song Introduction: "Yards / Gardens"
One Sentence Pitch: Kate Bollinger's instantly recognizable blend of ethereal vocals, silky smooth production, and lyrics that tip-toe the line between moving and mundane leaves you thinking about her songs long after they come to an end.
Links: Twitter, Instagram, Website
Kareem Ledell
Rapper from Tennessee
One Song Introduction: “D U L L"
One Sentence Pitch: Kareem Ledell raps with a soothing nonchalance that lets you focus on each of his insightful, thought-provoking, and personal lyrics.
Noah
Rapper from New Jersey
One Song Introduction: “Fleeze"
One Sentence Pitch: Next up out of CXR is Noah, who comes out swinging on his recent debut Mirrors In A Mausoleum- an album that's equal parts overwhelming confidence and an acknowledgment of all the blood, sweat, and tears that it took to get this far.