I was introduced to the music of California native Danni Cassette after seeing her perform during the 2017 BlackStar Awards during the BlackStar Film Festival. Her extremely engaging and electric performance only enhanced her already impressive music. It certainly made a fan of me that night and kept a desire to hear more. Danni has returned with the video for her most recent single, the BoomerDidIt produced “Favor”, and it is a brightly colored solo performance directed by Michael Cruz which perfectly captures the artistry that I discovered that night when I saw Danni for the first time. Watch below and follow up with Danni at her official website.
Noel Scales – Picky (Video)
Another rising talent from The City of Brotherly Love (and Sisterly Affection), Noel Scales releases the much anticipated video to her single “Picky”. Taken from her recently released EP Beautifully Bad, the Phil Meyer directed video expertly visualizes Scales displaying her worh in a couple of courting situations over the hypnotizing production provided by Harry Wilson. Watch below and click here to preview/purchase the Beautifully Bad project.
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – All The Stars (Video)
Hip-Hop phenom Kendrick Lamar and R&B’s newest star SZA release the tremendously beautiful visuals for the single “All The Stars”. Directed by Dave Meyers & the little homies, this is the first single from the soundtrack to the highly anticipated film Black Panther. The soundtrack is curated by TDE and set to launch on 2/9/18, while the film will be released on 2/16/18. Watch below and share your comments.
Kali Uchis – After The Storm feat. Bootsy Collins & Tyler, The Creator (Video)
Leave it to R&B-and-Pop-Appeal-Feel songstress Kali Uchis to turn our lives into one of those cool ass, slow motion, floating-down-the-sidewalk sequences. Yes, the retro-futuristic vibes of “After the Storm”, her latest release featuring Tyler, the Creator and Bootsy Collins, transports us into our very own Spike Lee-ish joint.
This solful nod to the grooves of funkier eras is theme music for everyone out here just trying to survive living. Life won’t let you be great? Kali’s vocals are like honey poured real slow when she purrs, “If you need a hero, just look in the mirror.” The sentiment sticks and more inspiring lyrics just like it cover you as the track’s smooth ushers listeners down their very own yellow-brick roads.
Kali Uchis’ seduction will have you believing you can achieve all things including how important she is to soul music. “After the Storm” also confirms what we’ve always known: music sounds and feels better when collabos are built on chemistry instead marketing campaigns. This Kali, Tyler and Bootsy thang is luscious.
Our favorite version of him, bad meaning good, Tyler, the Creator’s offering is intentionally cocky and incidentally sexy af. Occasional Andre 3000-esque vibes make his contributions hard not to love. Bootsy slathers just enough psychedelic expertise on the track to make it instant vintage. More please.
This is one of those head-nods that makes you grin and look ’round the room to see if anyone else is being caught up. These kinds of musical voyages are always more fun with company like this. If “After the Storm” is any indication, Kali is about to make sure the future of soulful music is a fantastic one indeed.
Give your senses a treat and check out the saucy visuals by Nadia Lee Cohen featuring an animated Bootsy Collins and Tyler, the Creator seeds Kali’s grows into the lover of her dreams. A Technicolor mash-up of I Love Lucy and bodega swag, the short film is kitschy-cool you’ll want to enjoy on a daily basis.
– Nobi De Lon

Bruno Mars – Finesse (Remix) feat. Cardi B (Video)
2018 may only be four days in, however I think Bruno Mars has a strong contender for video of the year already with the co-directed remix to his single “Finesse” from his album 24KT Magic. Paying homage to the iconic TV show In Living Color, Cardi B joins Bruno and is certain to draw praise from her current supporters while making new ones with an overall performance which will invoke memories of the late Left Eye. I can talk about the video all day, but it’s best if you just check it out yourself.