Ran across this article in the Star Trib yesterday in the Arts & Entertainment section featurin a few farmiliar really amazing artists I've seen. And if you haven't next time you get a chance, check them out.
Congrats guys!
Full article: http://www.startribune.com/1526/story/1538178.html
spoken-word artist, poet, 20What she's done: Jones, who grew up in St. Paul's Frogtown neighborhood and graduated from Central High School in 2005, is building a community as well as an audience. She's a player in Quest for the Voice, which helps prepare teens for an international poetry slam. She's been a Loft mentor and guest teacher at countless schools and the women's prison in Shakopee. She plans to go to college, and is setting up her own nonprofit, TruArtSpeaks.Why she's gonna make it: For her fusion of rap, hip-hop and lyric poetry, Jones draws on contemporary (Tupac, Talib Kweli) and classical influences (Langston Hughes). Her delivery is muscular and delicate, ironic and heartfelt. Her poems address social and political issues, including artistic loneliness, gay rights, prison reform, blackness and domestic abuse.Where you can find her: 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the Bean Scene cafe, 2200 W. Broadway, Minneapolis, where she hosts a spoken-word open-mic series, and online at myspace. com/truartspeaks.-- SARAH T. WILLIAMS
singer/songwriter, 25What she's done: The piano-caressing Twin Cities native first generated a buzz as a jazz-chanteuse-to-watch straight out of straight out of Musictech (now McNally Smith College of Music). That led to such diverse events as the Macy's Day of Music, the Hot Summer Jazz Festival and the Minnesota Music Awards, where she made wowing first impressions every time.Why she's gonna make it: Wiley has lined up a first-rate band of veteran musicians, including drummer Kevin Washington and bassist Yohannes Tona, with whom she recorded a new live CD, "Changes." It showcases Wiley as a jazz crooner with sexy, Norah Jones-ian crossover appeal and a smoky, Fiona Apple-like edge. She is recording a new CD at Pachyderm Studio and hopes to tour soon. Where you can find her: Nov. 23 at Cue, Nov. 26-28 at Rossi's and Dec. 14 at the Fine Line (all in downtown Minneapolis), online at www.aliciawiley.com.
rapper, 24
What he's done: Born in Ghana, he has called Minneapolis home for seven years. He released one of the year's best local albums, "Manifestations." Critical buzz and a knack for networking have gotten him invitations to international music festivals and even a big-time corporate gig -- Pepsi commissioned a song that's now playing on its website.
Why he's gonna make it: His unique story -- a Ghanian rapper trying to make it in Minnesota -- sets him apart. He doesn't sound like anyone else. His sing-song delivery flows beautifully over a mix of African rhythms and soul beats. His rhymes are positive but not preachy, and he lives his lyrics as an employee at the nonprofit Progressive Technology Project.
Where you can find him: Buy "Manifestations" at local CD shops or check him online at www.manifestmc.com.
-- TOM HORGEN
www.myspace.com/kymaramusic