[BostonCard]

From the Economist:

Rap has been one of British pop music’s 21st-century success stories. Like rock ‘n’ roll before it, it laboured in the shadow of its American inspirations before forging its own identity. Even within the distinctive ranks of British rappers, Birmingham-born Stefflon Don stands out. “Island 54”, Ms Don’s 20-track debut album, features sounds from across the world, blending grime, Afrobeats, R&B and dancehall. Raised in Holland by Jamaican parents, she attributes the mix of genres to her heritage: “I don’t stick to just one thing because I’m not one thing”.

“Island 54”, whose CD version is issued this weekend, comes nearly a decade into Ms Don’s wide-ranging career—placing her in the curious position of a respected veteran making her LP debut. The long game has paid off. It’s highly enjoyable and a clear statement of ambition from an artist with her eye on international recognition.

I do have a soft spot for artists that blend Genres.

Here's "What's Poppin"; you can definitely see the Afrobeats influence.

https://youtu.be/pMxpN-LKBSQ?si=OTGhPozuvBqoHFXp

BC

[BostonCard]

From the Economist:

Rap has been one of British pop music’s 21st-century success stories. Like rock ‘n’ roll before it, it laboured in the shadow of its American inspirations before forging its own identity. Even within the distinctive ranks of British rappers, Birmingham-born Stefflon Don stands out. “Island 54”, Ms Don’s 20-track debut album, features sounds from across the world, blending grime, Afrobeats, R&B and dancehall. Raised in Holland by Jamaican parents, she attributes the mix of genres to her heritage: “I don’t stick to just one thing because I’m not one thing”.

“Island 54”, whose CD version is issued this weekend, comes nearly a decade into Ms Don’s wide-ranging career—placing her in the curious position of a respected veteran making her LP debut. The long game has paid off. It’s highly enjoyable and a clear statement of ambition from an artist with her eye on international recognition.

I do have a soft spot for artists that blend Genres.

Here's "What's Poppin"; you can definitely see the Afrobeats influence.

https://youtu.be/pMxpN-LKBSQ?si=OTGhPozuvBqoHFXp

BC