The singer Sedric Perry released the playful songs "It Girl" and "Papi Champu" earlier this year. They are a celebration of queerness and a return to finding healing and joy in music after dark times. In this week's feature, Sedric Perry talks about fucking with gender norms, finding his place in community and the music that shaped him.
McKinley Dixon released his fourth full-length record "Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?" in June of 2023. The album is named after the (unofficial) Beloved-trilogy by US-American author Toni Morrison and, similarly to the themes of the novels, explores feelings of love, loss, and pain found in the Black experience. NBHAP editor Felicia had the chance to sit down with the New York-based rapper to talk about family, the Harlem Renaissance, and remembrance.
The singer and pianist from Wuppertal, Maria Basel released her debut record "Bloom", on which she blends classical influences with pop, electronic and RnB. In this week's Introducing feature, she talks about how her classical background shaped her understanding of music and the therapeutic aspect of songwriting. Check out the playlist update with quiet indie folk and pop gems linked below.
The Chicago-based singer and poet Jamila Woods released her third LP "Water Made Us". Jamila Woods examines love and surrender documenting her process of learning and unlearning, musically and lyrically. Inspired by spirituality and backed by the legacy of Black artists, the new album is the most intimate so far.
On her search for hope in times of despair, Peruvian artist Sofia Kourtesis found it in the work of a famous neurosurgeon and her Berlin community. Her first full-length album "Madres" tells the story of her mother's recovery, of finding and nurturing family, and of fighting against homophobia. Norman Fleischer met with Sofia to discuss some of these topics.
Pat Burgener started snowboarding at the age of 5, on the slopes of Crans-Montana. In the years that followed, he was diagnosed with ADHD, cemented his position on the Swiss national team, earning high finishes at Olympic events, and launched a music career. NBHAP author, Elana Shapiro sits down with him to discuss how he found ways to create his own structures through music and sport, and how the two are intrinsically interlinked within his world.
Following their global stardom, the three members of The xx started venturing into exciting solo activities in the early 2020s. Romy Madley-Croft's journey is a truly personal story of biographic emancipation told in musical form – including massive trance pads, pumping beats and the familiar sensitive songwriting. In the new edition of “Electronic Empathy” Norman Fleischer discusses these themes with the artist.
The Edinburgh-based singer Becky Sikasa follows her debut "Twelve Wooden Boxes" with the new single "Work of Love". In conversation with Anna Grubauer, she talks about complex emotions and her artistic journey from growing up in Bavaria to exploring creative communities in Scotland's capital. Keep reading and tune into our Introducing playlist to get to know Becky Sikasa and her sound.
