1. Jorja Smith - "Teenage Fantasy" 2017 I can't stop listening to this song; it even prompted me to kick off a New Hotness playlist on Spotify. I'll be updating it as I find new favorite songs...which is almost every day. If the link doesn't work for you, search "Liz Rowe" on Spotify to find ALL the lists of song's I've overplayed since Spotify became a thing. She first caught my eye/ear last July with her song/video "Where Did I Go?"
2. Muzzy Legault - "Filles Well (Nomadini 2015)" 2015 I found this incredible artist from Ottowa, Ontario because she appeared on one of my favorite Noo/10.4 Rog songs "Without You" (no longer on Soundcloud). Listen to "Filles Well" and more on the newly inspired The New Hotness Soundcloud playlist.
She just did a brief interview with CBC Radio 91.5, this is how I learned to pronounce her name (it's way classier than I originally thought).
3. Princess Nokia - "Anomaly" 2017 Princess Nokia really is an anomaly (def. something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected) and I love that about her.
4. Shabazz Palaces - feat. The Shogun Shot - "Julian's Dream (ode to a bad)" 2017 They're releasing their new album, "Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines," is being released as a 32 page special edition illustrated album with a download code via Sub Pop. It's a limited run of 1000...so you should probably pre-order it now.
5. Washed Out - "Get Lost" 2017 STONES THROW This video really does it for me; shout out to the Director Harvey Benschoter for keeping it weird.
6. Kendrick Lamar - "DNA" 2017 We love you Kendrick; congrats on making a full album I'll happily listen to on repeat all year long. You too Nabil, your art is vital in the rise of those you've worked with.
7. Kiefer - "Tubesocks" 2017 STONES THROW Upon first listen, I can already tell that this man's head nod rivals that of Swarvy...which is likely part of the reason the universe has united them with the Stones Throw crew. I was fortunate to see Kiefer when he came through Seattle with Mndsgn but wasn't aware he did solo work until now.
8. Jessie Reyez - "Gatekeeper" 2017 Sad that Jessie had to go through this but hopefully her misfortune will help others to avoid douchebags like this. Thanks for sharing your art Jessie, we love you!
9. The Mouse Outfit ft. Ellis Meade - "Bring Me Down" 2017 UK HIP HOP I'm still trying to build a bridge between Europe and the US so musicians from both continents have the opportunity to travel with their art. It's an epic mission but one post at a time and we'll get there eventually.
10. Taylar Elizza Beth - "Fresh Cut Flowers EP" 2017 I was blessed to attend the "Fresh Cut Flowers" Release Party at Timbre Room a few nights ago. Not only did Taylar solidify her place as one of Seattle's most promising artists, she also hand chose the other amazingly talented women who shared the stage with her; DoNormaal, Guayaba, and PSA.
11. NxWorries - "Get Bigger" 2017 Anderson.Paak has joined the rooftop rappers movement; not a real thing but alliteration is tight.
12. J'Von - "lil phantom yellow tune" 2017 SEATTLE MUSIC J'Von stays steady killin it softly while the rest of the world is watching Netflix. He's grinding so hard, he's on this list twice...see below.
13. Tricky - "The Only Way" 2017 I've been a Tricky fan since Maxinquaye and I always will be.
14. Sa-Roc - "The Soundset 2017 Experience" 2017 I was blessed to spend six weeks in a van with Sa-Roc and Sol Messiah and I loved every minute of it. She is exactly what the world needs right now and one of my new favorite superheroes.
15. Ibeyi - "Away Away" 2017 These ladies caught my attention with their "River" video back in 2014...glad to see they're still grinding.
15. Zack Villere - "Cool" 2017 I finally looked closer at the credits of this and saw one of my favorite Seattle producers in there. J'Von has always approached his art in such a way that he's transcended the local artist label; keep it up J'Von!
16. Lojii + Swarvy - "Due Rent" 2017 I've been a fan of Swarvy since I saw his head nodding at Barboza in Seattle when he opened for Mndsgn (he was also part of Mndsgn's show along with Kiefer from above). Fresh Selects is the independent Portland label smart enough to represent lojii and Swarvy.
17. SZA feat. Kendrick Lamar - "Doves In The Wind" 2017 SZA'snew album is whoa; hope to see a video for this track soon.
18. Brother Ali - "Never Learn" 2017 I've recently returned from my 1st Tour Adventure with Brother Ali, Last Word, Sa-Roc, Sol Messiah, Amal the Photo/Video Guru, and Paul the Tour Manager. My latest job title is Merch Manager for Brother Ali (I also helped out with the driving)...it was a truly epic adventure and I learned at least 1,111 things and instantly became a touraholic. They are some of my favorite people on this whole planet; it was an honor to spread messages of love throughout the US and Canada with this crew. This video is truly beautiful; here's what Brother Ali has to say about it (from the YouTube credits). #AllTheBeautyInThisWholeVideo
"This is another presentation made possible by community. We shot it in New Mexico at Dar Al Islam, a beautiful worship and healing center built mostly by American Muslims in the Adobe style prevalent in the Southwest. Spiritual and wisdom tradition holds that buildings should be designed in harmony with the natural beauty of the location, as well as the culture of the people in that area. Many of my elders built this place, and many of my friends grew up there.
One thing interesting about this location is that after the death of Tupac Shakur, the Dar Al Islam community opened its doors to film his “I Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto" video there.
The dancers are Al Taw’am from Minneapolis. You may recognize them from the "Mourning In America” video, as well as their own international videos and news pieces. The twins are dear family friends and leaders in our cultural and spiritual community. Their movement speaks of their family legacy of dignified regality. I believe them to be royalty. They choreographed this incredible piece and brought the entire song and video to life.
The video was directed by Kron, whom we've worked with in the past. He and his crew did an incredible job and I'm deeply grateful.
Of course, Ant made the track with G Koop playing the instruments and deM atlaS added some additional operatic vocals at the end of the song. Special thanks to: Siddiq, Sidi Hakeem Archuletta, La'kisha Raeesah Holloman, Amir Sulaiman, and anyone else I'm forgetting.
Please enjoy."
– Brother Ali
