#whm2k18

TY #WHM2K18 💜💜💜!!!

WK 3: SOL (SolLikeSoul)

City: Silver Spring, MD

Sol (SolLikeSoul) is a songstress with fierce ethereal & bold energy. Her music not only displays harmony within the community, but reaches global spirits. Another layer is a music/video series including Self Care Sunday. Her latest single Space is a refreshing piece. Transparent in the work, her debut project will embody awareness. Listening to the sound, the notes act as therapy. Happiness is key for the overall composition of peace. The universe is bright for a Neo-Sol glow. 

 1. Who is Sol?

I’m a Kenyan born DMV native, a vocalist, writer, host and lover of all things art! I strive to make music that encourages self-care, growth and healing.

 2. Who are your top 5 women in music? Why?

Nina Simone - She is the true essence of speaking your truth through art. Her songs have healed, inspired and motivated me in more ways than I can count

Lauryn Hill - She has one of the most beautiful voices and tones in music and is a master storyteller with her songwriting.

Ashanti - My favorite R&B singer to ever hit the face of this earth. She writes classic R&B songs that are you are able to sing along, relate and dance to. If I was to ever sign to a label it would only make sense to sign with her independent label or Murda Inc.

Rihanna - Can we say ICON! Her music not only makes you move and feel so many different emotions but she empowers women globally. Not only is she able to do this with music but in fashion, beauty and education, she works to uplift women. I love her.

Jamila Woods - I was only introduced to Jamila a couple years back but her HEAVN album changed my outlook on life, self love, and being a creative especially as a woman. She carved the outline of the impact I want to makes as an artist because of her impact on me.

3. How important is feminine identity? How has it empowered you?

Feminine identity is extremely important to me. It means and encompasses so many things. Being a woman is beautiful to me, the way we move, talk, and walk says so much without saying anything at all. In being a black woman, i feel not only do we try to uphold a certain standard of blackness, but we have to present this standard of strength and balance. The standards is honestly unrealistic but it has definitely inspired me to try and uphold it. Not necessarily being the backbone or strength for others, which is what I feel that standard encourages, but for myself and my journey.

Being feminine empowers me through art as well. It inspires me to incorporate topics specifically for us into my YouTube channel, write songs, paint pieces of art, and wear clothes that empower other women and femme's. Seeing other femme creatives being unhinged, brave enough to stand completely in their truth and hold their tongue for no one, empowers me to do the same.

 4. What are 3 records/films/artworks that narrate your political/spiritual beliefs?

The film "Sarafina" starring Whoopi Goldberg

The song "In My Name" by Jamila Woods

The painting "Sugar Shack" by Ernie Barnes

 5. What is your connection to MD (DC Metro Area), & its influence on your musical palette?

I moved to the U.S. with my family when I was just about 5/6 years old. We lived in about 4-5 other states before settling in the DMV. Maryland to be specific, but living here has taught me so much about the culture and music. The DMV is what I believe to be a major trendsetter when it comes to music and fashion, even though we almost never get our credit. Our bounce, funk, jazzy sounds are incorporated into all forms of music.

We have such a diverse community of artists that it only inspires me to continue to push and create my own lane and sound of music. The songwriters in the DMV also just have a way with words and their movement on the beats. All of these things have influenced the way i create and even listen to music. I try to do both intently and freely. Lastly, we are the home of GO-GO, we have so much flavor and culture in our music that even when our artists create ballads, the listeners still can find a way to bounce!

Follow Sol on social @SolLikeSoul

Listen to SolLikeSoul Space now.

36+ Wk 3 Artists:  TBA

#WHM2K18 WK: 2 OG Lullabies

City: Washington, DC

OG Lullabies (zero-gravity) is a rare planetary force with an instrumental flow. Her music instantly connects with deep hues of aquatic energy. The recent collection in the CRUESCONTROL EP explore a natural alternative wave. Reminiscent of a beautifully composed score, OGL is an orchestra of sonic waves. Shadow Moves, Water on Mars, and The Forecast + No Tribe bring the listener to a sacred atmosphere. If NASA were to encapsulate millennial works, this artist should on the list of #BlackGirlMagic.

1. Who is OG Lullabies?

OG Lullabies is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter planted on Earth to spread a cosmic frequency of rawness.

2. Who are your top 5 women in music? Why?

Midori. A fiercely expressive violinist who's performance technique is atypical to the classical world. Every time I watch her it affirms that the best way to do it is the way you want to do it. In creation, performance and in life.

Missy Elliott. A trailblazer not only for her production as a woman producer but visual afrofuturism evident throughout her music videos.

Corinne Bailey Rae. Singing along to her songs helped me gain confidence in my voice, in a time when I was absolutely terrified to sing.

Bjork and M.I.A. The visual universes they create that effortlessly communicates and meshes with their sound.

3. How important is feminine identity? How has it empowered you?

Allowing oneself to embody and express the spectrum of feminine energy in balance is important. To identify is just another label. It's the energy that's empowering. The strength of mothers, the wisdom of teachers. Knowing all of these women from healer to protector flow within me allows me to be a multi-dimensional being; and that allows my personality to be free, which allows my music to be self expressive.

4. What are 3 records/films/artworks that narrate your political/spiritual beliefs?

Vincent Van Gogh - Starry Night

N*E*R*D - Seeing Sounds

5. What is your connection to the DC Metro Area, & it’s influence on your musical palette?

I'm a native Washingtonian. Going to concerts and experiencing live performance was an appreciation my mother instilled in me early and throughout my childhood. I've been in and out of The Kennedy Center to see the orchestra, I saw Chuck Brown at the Carter Barron. High school was full of seeing artists I discovered on my own come through 9:30 Club. My love to put on an excellent live show comes from basking in incredible sets my entire life.

Follow OG Lullabies on social @oglullabies & oglullabies.com

Listen to OG Lullabies Shadow Moves now. 

36+ Wk 2 Artists:  Katrina Vergara & Leviathe. 

#WHM2K18 WK: 1 Nia Simone (Ub3rgrl)

City: Richmond, VA/Bowie, MD

Nia Simone (Ub3rgrl) is an indie singer/songwriter who's music is honest, warm, and reminiscent of nostalgic soul. Named after the iconic Nina Simone, there's a natural lyrical element to the work. Her latest song “Warmest Color” is an ode for women, who love women.  The video is a monochromatic layer of romance, strength, and passion.  Finding freedom in sound, this artist speaks from a place of transparency.

1. Who is Ub3rgrl?

Üb3rgrl is who I am when I perform. Usually I’m shy and a little awkward but being ub3rgrl is teaching me to channel my confidence. I’ve actually decided to change my stage name to Nia Simone my First and middle name. I’m constantly changing trying to find myself as an artist. No two songs will ever sound the same with me. I just want to show the world how diverse I am.

2. Who are your top 5 women in music? Why?

Beyoncé. Destiny’s Child dropped Writings on the Wall in‘98. I was born in‘97. Her career basically started the same time my life did. For every Beyonce album I can remember where I was, how old I was and what I was thinking. She’s an artist I’ve grown with and her influence has honestly shaped me as a woman. 

Lana Del Rey. I discovered her when I was 15 through my mother. Lana is my inspiration for songwriting and presentation. She brings a really heavy and dramatic element and I want my own version of that for my music. It’s like she makes visual music. 

Fiona Apple, another great songwriter. Her first album Tidal is one of my favorites and it was written by her alone when she was only 18. As an artist I really look up to someone who just knows who they are and can make timeless music. 

Donna Summer. Disco is one of my favorite genres! Donna Summers was the Queen “Love to Love you baby“ was a revolutionary track and she definitely helped pave the way for women to be openly sexual. 

Kali Uchis. It’s partially because we’re from the same area and I really admire how she built her own career while doing her own thing. She makes music that’s true to her spirit. Seeing an alternative WOC come from my home is really inspiring.

3. How important is feminine identity? How has it empowered you?

It’s everything to me. It’s my mindset, my sexuality, my morals. I’m trying to become more in tune with my sexuality. I want to practice living outside of the patriarchal norm and that’s how I’m becoming more empowered. Being a woman, especially a Black woman comes with a lot of expectations and stereotypes so I try to make sure I claim my power as much as possible.

4. What are 3 records/films/artworks that narrate your political/spiritual beliefs?

She’s Gotta Have It by Spike Lee it’s all about a woman who’s confident in herself despite what the world as to say about her. The movie always reminds me that I define who I am, not peoples comments. A Seat at the Table by Solange was a really personal album for me it tackles racism, sexism, mental health for Black women it was like hearing advice from a wise older sister. Electronic Superhighway by Nam June Paik is basically this giant sculpture of the US and in the place of each state their are tv screens showing a clip that best represents that state. It relates to my spirituality in a way that I believe death is not the end of us we have a legacy and each screen proves that for me. I hope one day if someone had a tv screen to represent Maryland I’d be on there for making a difference.

5. What is your connection to MD (DC Metro Area), and its influence on your musical palette?

I’ve lived in the DMV pretty much all my life it’s my home. At first I wasn’t really influenced by the sounds of the area. My parents are from New York. They didn’t move to Maryland until they were adults. So, they didn’t really connect with Go-Go or the culture around us. I didn’t really know much of Go-Go until I went away to college. I can honestly say now I have a way larger appreciation for the sound I’m not sure if I can see myself making a Go-Go influenced song but I’ll try anything once! Now that I’m becoming more aware of the artist of the area, they’re definitely inspiring me to try new things.

Follow Nia Simone on social @ub3rgrl

Listen to Nina Simone & more on #WHM2K18 WK:1 https://soundcloud.com/qotnc/sets/whm2k18-wk-1/s-oLD1Y

36+ Wk 1 Artists: Jett Kwong & Bobbi Rohs.

In celebration of Women's History Month, QOTNC and thirtysix+ are proud to present a collaboration highlighting women of color in music. Throughout March, we'll feature 12 artists local to Maryland/DC Metro, Los Angeles, and San Francisco Bay Area.

QOTNC (QUEENOFTHENEWCOOL) founder Nina Q. Allen blends music and design on her platform to recognize women elevating culture.

thirtysix+ is a radical internet space created to empower women of color in music. it takes its name from the wage gap between women of color and white cishetero men. Team: Summer Ko and Sam Lai.

Week 1: Jett Kwong, Bobbi Rohs, & Nia Simone (Ub3rgrl)

Listen to selected artists on #WHM2K18 WK:1: 

https://soundcloud.com/qotnc/sets/whm2k18-wk-1/s-oLD1Y