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While many people are working from home and practicing social distancing, there are 27 million Americans who are entrepreneurs and have halted their daily activities due to Coronavirus. According to The New York Times, “The global spread of the coronavirus has been seismic, overburdening health care systems, torpedoing stock markets and requiring millions of people to submit to severe restrictions on their personal movement. The world has changed drastically in the last few weeks, and will continue to be disrupted for some time.” This unfortunate circumstance has driven creatives like freelancers and independent artists to begin refocusing their 2020 goals.
More specifically, many of the rising talents that we were blasting through 2019 will not be able to hit the stage for any of our favorite music festivals and live events. Most social events for 2020 have been canceled through to October, leaving many artists with no choice to take their talents online. As we have seen in the last few weeks, Instagram Live has been a frequented platform for music artists with concerts, dance parties, and even meditation sessions. Now, more than ever, is the perfect time to support your favorite indie artist. Whether it’s purchasing their latest EP, engaging with them on social media, adding their single to your morning workout playlist, or running up those streams; artists need help.
So, in support of those who are working from home, REVOLT has listed 11 independent artists who are perfect to listen to during that lunch break or after the zoom call. Peep them below.
1. Sheff G
Born and raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York; rapper Sheff G mixes the Chicago/U.K drill sound with his clever technical flow. After the release of his single “No Suburban” became one of the drill scene’s earliest hits, his music was then introduced internationally with his next single “Panic.” In Sheff G’s latest “The Unluccy Kid,” you’ll get the drill feel with a little bit of mellowness — definitely good for a stretch between calls.
2. Obasi Jackson
The passionate Brooklyn native and older brother of recently slain rapper Pop Smoke ignites the stage with his high energy every performance. Obasi prides his music on versatility, blending sounds of reggae, R&B, pop, soul and hip hop. Most recently, “Emotion Kid” has been making waves.
3. WildPrxfits
Wild Prxfits is a rap duo that consists of Wxlfman and Louie Tha Profit, they both hail from Queens and Brooklyn. The mix of two boroughs will have you craving that New York sound from the ‘90s to the early 2000s. The duo is set to release a new single on April 10.
4. NICKFUR¥
Brooklyn-born rapper NICKFUR¥ takes listeners on an introspective journey through his mind as he recounts past relationships, growth and the world around him. Opening his EP with a solid intro of self-examination, The Feels is a small trip that may leave you rethinking a lot of your last relationship decisions.
5. DioMara
Beautiful singer-songwriter DioMara was born in Brooklyn, New York. Growing up along Flatbush Ave with her fellow Caribbean and Latino peers — and embracing the American music culture — influenced her passion to become a songstress. In her recent EP, Alchemy, DioMara brings the sass, poetry, and magic.
6. Qu’ality
Next up, we have Brooklyn rapper Qu’ality, who does a great job of mixing soulful production with a quick tight lyrical flow. This EP will surely get you through the day as you’re meeting those deadlines.
7. Omar i$Lord
Hailing from the Bronx, New York; rapper Omar i$Lord’s versatile style is a result of his many influences — one person being Lupe Fiasco. Delivering a unique sound from the BX, Omar’s growth can be heard from his earlier EP’s to his current projects.
8. Kyah Baby
Representing Queens, New York; rapper Kyah Baby is a fierce phenom. Sincerely, Kyah is her second project after the release of Freedom of Speech in 2016. Between her freestyles with Hot 97’s Funkmaster Flex to her single being featured on “Love and Hip Hop” season six, her rise to success is nothing to play with.
9. Liana Banks
Truth-teller, vibe provider, soul-barer and Queens native Liana Banks will bring absolute calmness to your day. This neon haired beauty will have you bouncing around in pure bliss, right in your living room after jamming out to her latest single, “Daydream Inn” featuring Shiftee.
10. LATASHA
Brooklyn indie artist LATASHA has been creating music since 2017. Her recent release can be heard on the new Netflix series “Self Made: Madame CJ Walker.” She plans to release two projects this year, INSTAR due May 2020 and Chrysalis, which is a collaboration with Sydney, Australia trio PNAU toward the end of 2020. She’s also working on her docuseries “TRULYTE.”
11. Rah Swish
East New York, Brooklyn rapper Rah Swish is a buzzing unsigned rapper putting on for the drill scene. His most recent features have been a part of Hot 97 Who’s Next and a live performance at SXSW. Check him out.