Tiara Thomas

Tiara Thomas takes you to the next level. Spitually, emotionally, excitedly, and even professionally (Thomas is an Oscar and Grammy winner co-writing with H.E.R.). Originally from Indianapolis, her parents encouraged her to pursue music, and her father bought her a guitar at the age of 12. After years of singing in school and church, Thomas was more than ready to bring her own unique flavor to the mix.

This week, we’re featuring her 2022 single “Don’t Talk Back”. Featuring Thomas’s love for ballads with instrumentation and hip and hop, “Don’t Talk Back” is a purely authentic offering. With a bass-driven opening and a percussive beat, Thomas vocals and lyrics take center stage.

Malia

With a velvety smooth voice and thoughtful, introspective lyricism, Malia has truly established herself as one of this generation's premier singer-songwriters. While some have described her sound as healing or soothing, in truth - it’s so much more. Filled with emotional verses and sonic tugs at the fibers of your being, Malia creates something that moves you in the most human way. It’s an understanding of humanity and heart that transcends boundaries. From her experience taking piano lessons and singing in choirs as a child, Malia has traveled a journey that’s given her a far greater understanding of life and love.

This week, we’re featuring “Undone” from her 2022 album “What’s After ‘I Love You?’”. A meditation on the numbing, debilitating time right after heartbreak, Malia’s lyricism on “Undone” is simply devastating. Conveying in both sly metaphors and brutal honesty the travesty of lost love, Malia’s poetic nature shines through.

CARRTOONS

Featuring bumping basslines, locked-in grooves, and deep jazz influences, CARRTOONS brings some serious intensity with the lower frequencies. Each track showcases a unique identity and a clear influence, but CARRTOONS (aka Ben Carr) melds new school and old school in a bass-forward format.

This week, we’re featuring “Young Buck” with DJ Harrison off CARRTOONS 2022 album “Homegrown”. While the jazz influences may be at the forefront, CARRTOONS bass melody is funky, active, and energetic. Flirting with funk and soul, CARRTOONS involves everyone in a deeply enjoyable groove.

NappyHIGH

A sonic manifestation of the explosive Los Angeles culinary fusion scene, NappyHIGH is a bold, exciting artist born into a sea of influences. NappyHIGH has lived through music, and that music now lives through him. Influenced at a young age by his parents' taste in classic Soul and R&B, he combines it with the ever-evolving West Coast rap and hip-hop scenes he grew up with in South Central. But the fireworks come when he pushes the boundaries even further with contemporary sounds and novel choices. One part Al Green, one part Dr. Dre, and one part Daft Punk, NappyHIGH has cooked up a delectably unique musical palette.

This week, we’re featuring the 2022 remix of his 2021 track “Get Down”, from his album “Yellow”. Brad Bellard joins the trio that produced the initial track (NappyHIGH, Iman Omari,and ihateyouALX) and the quartet manages to turn the vibes all the way up. Some updates are subtle - like the increased prevalence of the vocoded vocals in the mix. Some are more obvious - namely the earth-shaking beat that imbues the contemporary ode to R&B with another level of energy. But it all comes together to create a molten-hot track that feels truly L.A.

Siaria Shawn

Featuring a daring songwriting style, interrogative lyricism, and pillowy vocals, Siaria Shawn is a delightfully ingenious artist. While tonally, they may look back towards more retro sounds, Shawn puts an authentic, innovative spin on every track. Shawn combines not only the musical influences from their youth in San Francisco, but theater, poetry, and literature as well - all this to create a deeply unique voice and lyricism. Shawn approaches their music like vignettes, stories of their time, connected by some interstitial threads but fully capable of standing on their own. Furthermore, Shawn approaches lyricism like Shakespeare - full of romance, tenderness, but with levity and life at the center.

This week, we’re featuring the track “Uno (1:11)” from their 2019 album “Tender”. What might seem pretty straightforward on the surface is actually a deftly crafted track. Sonically, every detail was accounted for, every beat was reviewed, and every harmony painstakingly constructed. The attention to detail pays off in a big way, as Shawns vocals feel effortless against the other parts of the track.

53 Thieves

Featuring a fun, funky energy, 53 Thieves creates whimsical tapestries in every track. Pulling threads from soul, jazz, funk, and R&B, 53 Thieves weave intricate, atmospheric, comfy, and smooth vibes into every beat and harmony. The group, composed of two singers and two producers, covers a massive swath of musical ground, influences, and upbringings, while finding a way to continually produce a cohesive, authentic sound.

This week, we’re featuring “fault lines” featuring Pell from their 2022 album “latitudes”. The track grabs your attention immediately, blanketing you in the energetic, spacey, warmth that we’ve all come to expect from this quartet. It’s the kind of music that plays as you travel inside the smoothest limo to the hippest club orbiting Jupiter. Pell’s verses quickly set the thrilling tone, pairing perfectly with the lush, atmospheric production and vocals from 53 Thieves.

Adi Oasis

Adi Oasis is everything, everywhere, all at once. A fresh blend of Soul, R&B, jazz, and funk is lifted into the stratosphere by Oasis’s dynamic voice and potent lyricism. Where some artists stumble conducting the plethora of voices and influences, Oasis effortlessly harmonizes her own internal choir. If that weren’t enough, Oasis is a spectacular bassist - providing creative, melodic, grooving basslines that add an undeniable energy to every track.

This week, we’re featuring her 2022 single “Get It Got It”. Oasis’s lush vocals and warm bass tone absolutely shine in the spotlight, backed up by a deftly arranged horn section. Equal parts jazz, funk, and soul meld into a liquid gold during the entirety of the track. Lyrically, “Get It Got It” is a letter back in time to Oasis’s younger self, providing the affirmation that staying authentic is always worth the risk.

Zyah Belle

Zyah Belle is hard to define in the best way possible. Forget genre or style, Belle is an authentically undefinable person. It’s not an act or a character. Belle is simply a multi-dimension artist who’s work exudes integrity to self, regardless of the format. It’s why she can craft a meditative statement on the pain inherent to the process of healing, and a dance-inducing anthem with shades of the Bay Area’s hyphy movement. It’s how she can craft her fashion to be statements on her state-of-being, or a nod to the nostalgia of her favorite scenes.

And that’s just scratching the surface of the surface. Sure, she has an effortless powerful voice - one she’s in full command of at any tempo, register, or dynamic. And yes - she spent her formative years in her hometown (Vallejo, California) church. But the dates, times, and locations of Belles journey belies the point of it all. Belle found her songwriting process while performing in the church. It’s where she discovered her ability to be a conduit for the music. A space where she can be the path of least resistance between the sonic ether and the microphone. Her time in the Bay Area and the pride she takes in the influence of it’s unique hip-hop sub-genre, hyphy. And her interests have led her to Yam Grier, which (among many other things) is a statement of women’s empowerment and reclamation.

“The inspiration for this project came from the women who raised me. I am who I am because if the essence of the women before me. Their poise, the way they talk, dress and have taught me to carry myself.” says Belle. And the lessons that she’s learned and taught are full display on Yam Grier. This week, we’re featuring “Healing”, an almost zen-like musing on the relationship between pain and healing. Lush harmonies act as a comforting bed for the pained lyrics - the realization that healing isn’t quite as soothing as we wish.

Oscar Jerome

For Oscar Jerome, music has been the dream since childhood. Even at 29, Jerome has toured the world, morphed and evolved his sound over the course of a bevy of incredible releases. With a jazz-tinged sound, Jerome’s music is at the same time plaintive and nuanced while exciting, playful, and unpretentious.

This week, we’re featuring “Feet Down South” from his latest album, “The Spoon”. The jazz influence is on display, with Jerome’s delicate guitar playing driving the playful harmonic motions. A classic hip-hop beat completes the track and makes it perfect jazzy addition to Black Tea.

agajon

Agajon is no stranger to appearances on Black Tea. A producing prodigy, agajon burst onto the scene almost overnight. Immediately, they carved out a space for themselves, crafting tracks with the trappings of historical hi-hop, lofi neo soul, and a smooth contemporary (almost experimental) sound. Featuring intoxicating and mood-driven vibes, every track feels like a window in agajon’s mind and soul. What started out as beatboxing for his brother has taken agajon on an incredible journey.

This week, we’re featuring “plants” from his debut album “nag champa”. Featuring frequent collaborator and Black Tea favorite Jay Prince, “plants” is moody and introspective to start. Soft synth-y pads slowly glide the track along. Every layer feels cohesive like a ballet: different elements may be performing different dances, but the motion and emotion of the track moves as one.

Fana Hues

There’s something particularly powerful about Fana Hues voice. Not in a physical manner (although she can absolutely blow the doors off the place) but more in the story her voice carries. As a child, Hues contracted an unfortunate combination of sicknesses that left her virtually voiceless for 5 years. Now, Hues is making up for lost time, but by no means ignoring the tapestry of experiences that shaped her.

This week, we’re featuring “wild horses” off her 2022 album “flora + fauna”. Lyrically, Hues is incredibly adept at painting detailed, vivid imagery through her lyrics. In “wild horses”, she succinctly conveys the nuance of the impossible question of when to move on from someone who would prefer to roam. While the instrumentals are cinematic and lush, Hues voice and the delicate melody she’s constructed lull you into a musical zen.

Sebastian Mikael

Sebastian Mikael’s story is now being written on his terms. After a meteoric rise to recognition in 2013, Mikael endured significant tragedy. However, with his latest releases and musical direction, Mikeal is in the driver's seat of his journey. Born in Sweden, raised in Boston, and now residing in Los Angeles, Mikael has taken his literal trip around the world and created intimate pieces of art, music, and poetry.

This week, we’re featuring his brand new single “Overgold”, from his forthcoming EP “Phileo”. An element of nostalgia and “past-meets-present” permeates both the sound of the track and the lyrics. Mikeal muses on the idea of love as something deeper than romance but instead as this underlying foundation of our common humanity. Paired with some slightly 90’s sounding synth samples and flaunting the flair of contemporary R&B, “Overgold” is a truly appreciated breath of fresh air.

Christian Gray

Raised in Ohio with a strong gospel background, Christian Gray reached the highest peaks as a faith-based artist before turning his eyes towards parts unknown. Still very much in touch with his faith, Gray has ventured into much more secular territory, eloquently addressing his place in an ever changing world. But as things change, the more they stay the same - Christion Gray is still the wickedly smart, effortlessly smooth artist we’ve known him to be.

This week, we’re featuring their 2022 single “End Zone”. A continuation of his evolution, “End Zone” may be Gray’s most meta track yet. The verses are contemplative, digging deep into the dichotomies of the world. It’s a track that isn’t so much about finding a conclusion or answer, but rather just a chance to think out loud.

agajon

Few things are more impressive than a newcomer who sounds like they’ve been around for decades. Afghan-German producer agajon burst onto the scene in 2019 and hasn’t slowed down since. Already possessing a deftly constructed production ethos, agajon puts their authenticity on display from the first beat of their first release. Even in their early 20’s, agajon writes and produces tracks that connect deeply with the human experience. From setting moods, defining vibes, and constructing grooves, agajon is wise well beyond their years.

This week, we’re featuring their 2022 single “trust yourself”, now available on their brand new album “nag champa”. With the album being named after the most prevalent scent of agajon’s childhood home, it’s no wonder they took a track to drench in nostalgia. Filled to the brim with agajon’s influences, there are moments inspired by Daft Punk. early Kayne, Talib Kweli, and so many more. And yet, agajon stitches together this beautiful vintage tapestry, setting a mood so specific and relatable.

GINGE

A relatively new addition to the scene, GINGE brings a fun, energetic vibe and some exquisitely smooth vocals to the Neo-Soul scene. Inspired by artists like Joy Crooks, GINGE empowers every track with a piece of herself and the conflict that comes with love and living. Following a meteoric rise from her start on YouTube, GINGE is an artist that’s definitely going to stick around.

This week, we’re featuring her 2022 single “Jewels in the Night”. Starting off as a duet between GINGE’s buttery smooth vocals and a plaintive, sensitive, piano, the track finds its groove in a Dua Lipa like beat. At the forefront are GINGE’s vocals, which embody a handful of different characters. Whether it’s atmospheric harmonies or the strident melody, the track revolves around her musical orbit to create an undeniably smooth vibe.

Ariza

Born in Columbia, Ariza has set foot in an endless amount of genres. Getting their start making death metal demos on GarageBand, Ariza now finds themselves at home pushing the boundaries of soul and R&B. A multi-instrumentalist and producer, Ariza pulls from a vast amount of life experiences to craft a truly unique sound.

This week, we’re featuring their 2022 single “Birds Eye View” featuring singer-songwriter Astyn Turr. Featuring a spacey, moody beat, the dense harmonies from both Ariza and Turr’s vocals float elegantly on top. The melodies are smooth and glide from note to note just like a bird on the wind. The instrumental brings an almost 2010’s rock vibe at times, which makes the more jazz and R&B inspired melodies truly stand out.

Secret Rendezvous

An Amerstadam-based duo, Secret Rendezvous is composed of singer/songwriter Sietske Morsch and multi-instrumentalist Remi Lauw. The duo met while studying music in Rotterdam, and formed this group shortly after graduating. Channeling a wide variety of influences and finding footholds in a swath of genres, Secret Rendezvous fills each track with undeniable soul, while elegantly dressing it up with stylings reminiscent of Prince, The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, and Janet Jackson.

This week, we’re featuring their 2022 single “Feels So Good (Don’t It)”. The track is unbridled fun from start to finish. Clearly moving in a more funk-oriented direction than their previous works, the good vibes are palpable. A standard pulsating pop beat lays a perfect foundation for Lauw’s straightforward funk guitar. Some early-Miles-Davis inspired horns perfectly complement the ease in which Morsch sings through the choruses. The energy, fun, and beauty of the track comes from their brilliant choices of restraint, and the result is a dynamite piece of music that makes us want more.

tendai

While they describe their sound as “dark purple”, tendai paints with a massive palette of sonic colors. Drawing influence from artists like Quincy Jones to Imogen Heap and everything in between, tendai almost instantly created one of the most unique voices in R&B today. The born-and-raised Londoner taps into the vibrant diversity of the city as a never-ending source of inspiration.

This week, we’re featuring their 2021 single “Infinite Straight”. Featuring a reverb and chorus drenched guitar reminiscent of an early grunge sound, tendai’s vocals shift between a raspy whisper and their silky vocals. Piercing and intimate lyrics tango with the hypnotic vibe, punctuated by digital artifices. The track would not be out of place in a scene from “The Matrix”, but tendai keeps it fresh and exciting.

Sidibe

Featuring an incredibly captivating voice, intimate lyricism, and a signature ability to push the boundaries, Sidibe is truly one-of-kind. With an uncanny ability to create lush, thick harmonies by layering her own vocals, Sidibe has long championed her own unique sound.

This week, we’re featuring their 2022 single “Go On Ahead”, now featured on their brand new album “Diamond In The Desert”. Delicate and smooth, but carried by an underlying energy, “Go On Ahead” is driven by this quiet intensity. Led in by a Nirvana-esque guitar riff, the track immediately gets to work in layering Sidibe’s vocals to create a sonic whirlpool. Dense harmony and a catchy rising melody surround the classic R&B beat surrounding your senses.

Xavier Omär

With an extraordinarily smooth voice and a style that effortlessly vacillates between hip-hop, R&B, and so much more, Xavier Omär is a fearless risk-taker. Omär could easily sit back and rely on his legitimately incredible vocal skill to carry each track, but instead the San Antonio based artist flexes their finessed songwriting skills every chance the get. Crafting delicate musical flavors influenced by everything from Pharrell to The 1975, Omär is constantly blurring lines between genres.

This week, we’re featuring their 2022 single “Tarantino”, which is also featured on their brand new EP “b l u r r”. The track is less about the eponymous director and much much more a story of Omär’s mother and father. Featuring a meditative synth pad and a classic trap beat, Omär comes in subtly, but quickly puts their vocal prowess on display. Elegantly accessing every part of his range, Omär lyrically paints a vivid portrait of the confidence of his parents.