Category: Artists

Meet Leona Naess. You have before, of course. But this, Naess’s third and most fully developed album to date, might as well be her debut. “I feel like it’s my first record,” she says. “I just think it’s the most honest thing I’ve ever done.” Produced by Ethan Johns, Leona Naess is simple music for…

Anna Nalick is beginning to live her dreams. As one of a new breed of singer-songwriters for this young century, the 20-year-old California native has put the finishing touches on her debut album, Wreck of the Day, and the result is a refreshing blend of sophisticated wordplay, haunting melodies, sublime textures and atmosphere. With all…

G V * Ron Clutch * Scales * R. Prophet * B. Stille * Skinny Deville Having a day named in their honor, being the number one selling hip-hop group of 2002, a bundle of award nominations, and the continual words of praise from fans and industry insiders – none of it has tainted Nappy…

Throughout his career, Miles Davis continually changed the shape and sound of jazz. The rapper Nas has made his career bringing that same level of artistic innovation, transformation, and liberation to the world of hip-hop. Critically lauded for intricate poetic verses detailing street dynamics and ghetto travails, 25-year-old Nasir Jones restored an intricate lyricism to…

Two years ago Leigh Nash bottomed out. It wasn’t due to any of the stereotypical rock dalliances involving substance abuse or lavish spending. Instead, Nash found herself face to face with the dark underbelly of the protestant work ethic – when giving and giving doesn’t equal getting what you always imagined. Sixpence None the Richer,…

NATURAL demonstrates the whole package – superior instrumental skills, silky-smooth vocals, and hard-hitting dance routines. Because they play all of their own instruments, NATURAL are more Beatles than Backstreet, but they’re definitely influenced by both. The group, made up of Ben Bledsoe, “J” Josh Horn, Michael Johnson, Patrick King, Jr., and Marc Terenzi, came together…

Speak to the hip-hop legends of Queensbridge, and many will tell you that their paths of success were filled with temptation and evil spirits: devils on their left shoulders eager to fill the do-gooding angels on their right with six shots from a nine millimeter. These were the realities of this 49-acre housing project. Still…

They’ve created infectious, chart-topping party anthems and unleashed gritty, grimy manifestos. They’ve toured the world and reigned as international superstars but still live in the city they grew up in. They’ve dominated the pop and R&B charts, all the while staying true to real hip-hop and themselves. Naughty By Nature are arguably hip-hop’s finest group…

In the late 80’s, Dave Navarro formed Jane’s Addiction with Perry Farrell. The widely imitated and influential band was the first successful alternative rock act, and in its five-year career released three platinum-selling albums, was nominated for three Grammy Awards and started the Lollapalooza tour. After the group broke up, Navarro joined the Red Hot…

Me’Shell Ndegecello blurs sexual conventions as much as any artist since Prince; more importantly, she blurs musical boundaries, too, creating a funky rock & roll that can veer off into sweet pop or dance-club bliss. Her 1993 debut, Plantation Lullabies, was critically acclaimed and scored a minor hit with “If That’s Your Boyfriend (He Wasn’t…