First Look Friday: QUIÑ Interview
Photo of Jamila Woods taken by Johnny Fan for Okayplayer.
52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours and 525,600 minutes all equals to a year of fantastic music, intriguing personalities and new stories for audiophiles to learn, love and celebrate. In that time, also, I spent that amount of time as Okayplayer's managing editor. One of the duties that I inherited was making sure that First Look Friday as a franchise flourished and introduced you to the future stars in the game and told you their stories.
From breaking down why SPZRKT evolved into Xavier Omär to learning what obstacles Jamila Woods and Eryn Allen Kane overcame while surviving the mean streets of Chicago — First Look Friday became a breeding ground of names and talents who were inescapable and were next to pop up everywhere. In addition to that, we've also premiered never-before-heard songs and images unseen by the naked eye that frame a budding narrative for acts like Maségo, Lee Mo and JONES.
As we close out the year that was, let's look at our favorite First Look Friday stories and subjects and update you on the growth they've experienced since entering our hallowed halls. Enjoy!
Photo of Quiñ taken by Ural Garrett for Okayplayer.
Quiñ
We spoke to the Los Angeles-based artist back in October and since then the otherworldly creative has released her debut EP, Galactica, and we were fortunate to reveal a cut from it. Before closing out the year, she has been on the road hypnotizing music lovers with her ambient, extra-dimensional voice. Add to that that she really aims to pull you into 2017 with her angelic tones on her new effort, "Math," which you can listen to by clicking here. We are anticipating great things from her as we recycle the calendar anew.
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Photo of Rose Gold taken by Ural Garrett for Okayplayer.
Rose Gold
The baddie from Baltimore has been caressing ears, hearts and minds since before we became familiar with her work. But upon hearing her standout vocals on Terrace Martin's "Think Of You" from his Velvet Portraits album, we were enticed to learn more about her for First Look Friday. Speaking with her in September, Rose has since went on her first international tour with Terrace Martin and The Pollyseeds, dropped a never-before-heard cut from her personal archives and is planning on being in your Apple earbuds in 2017.
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Photo of Joyce Wrice taken by Ural Garrett for Okayplayer.
Joyce Wrice
An absolute darling and a captivating performer, Joyce Wrice had us at hello after hearing her riff on the MNDSGN-produced cut, "Do You Love Me?" The answer from us was, "Yes!" After speaking to her in August, the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter has begun hitting the road doing spot dates around the country. In addition to that, she just dropped a new project entitled, Rocket Science, which features appearances by Kay Franklin and MNDSGN. Plan on hearing more from the illuminating performer once the new year starts.
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Photo of Maségo taken by Ural Garrett for Okayplayer.
Maségo
Full of exuberance, light, goodwill and Godly spirits — Maségo is a growing superstar in the making. After we talked to him near the tail-end of August, we spoke with GoldLink who clarified just how big of a force the Virginian saxophonist can be. "He can be as large of a star that he wants to be," he told us in an exclusive interview. And he's not lying. Uncle Ségo has since then worked with Tall Black Guy, Brasstracks, new act VanJess and even made his own take on Shirley Caesar's "U Name It" viral hit. Certainly a project is in the works from Maségo, and we're excited to hopefully premiere it in the new year.
Photo of Lee Mo by Kenneth St. George of ‘Visuals by KSG‘ for Okayplayer.
Lee Mo
Another Baltimore beauty with a voice like a siren, Lee Mo is everything you want from a next generation soul singer. Aching with sincerity, fueled by conflict and a desire to just be your one and only — she has endeared herself to an audience who loves that authentic, deep rooted, rich jazz and R&B sound. Since we spoke with her in August, she dropped "One Last Chance" featuring Chris Stevens, which followed a live performance of "Love's In Need" at The Kimmel. In 2017, Lee Mo is poised to become a booming voice in the industry, spotlighting the issues bubbling in Trump's America.
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Photo of NAO taken by Paul Phung for Okayplayer.
NAO
Our love affair with Neo Jessica Joshua is well-documented and appreciated by those who have great taste in music. With two EPs already in the can, plus the applause from publications like ours en masse — NAO has become a celebrated singer-songwriter who — in her own special way — embodies a free-spirit vibe buoyed by euphoric vocals. Since rapping with us in July, this budding star from London crossed the pond to jump right into the festival mix with performances at Pitchfork Music Festival, ACL Music Fest and toured with Mura Masa around the country. With For All We Know still blaring out people's speakers, 2017 will be an interesting step up for the angel with the ambient voice.
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Photo of Jack Garrett taken by Laurent Chevalier of 'Chevalier Creative' for Okayplayer.
Jack Garratt
We were with Little Chalfont's own singing talent for his first time in Brooklyn when we conducted this interview back in June. Amazed by how quaint Prospect Park was, we learned just how down-to-earth the "man who will save British pop music" really is. After introducing him to our Okayplayer audience, Jack went on to take his Phase tour to cities and towns, ACL Fest and, of course, the O2 Academy. Hell, he even got a letter from President Barack Obama, which probably doubles as a get-out-of-the-country-free pass for when that crazy new guy takes over. With Jack back in the lab, 2017 appears to build upon the successes of 2016. So, continue to keep watch and press play whenever new work arrives!
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Photo of Chloe x Halle by Max Papendieck for Parkwood Entertainment.
Chloe x Halle
You know you've seen them on television, in commercials and alongside the holy Queen Mother, Beyoncé — but do you really know who these talented sisters based out of Los Angeles? Signed to Parkwood Entertainment, this dynamic duo made a killing on YouTube with their brand of soulful covers. Fast forward seven months after speaking to us (and releasing their single, "Drop" upon the world) — Chloe x Halle have been everywhere doing what they do best: put on a show. From performing at this year's Roots Picnic Festival in Philly to rocking the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade — Chloe x Halle are certainly a tandem that's on the rise. You better get into formation, 2017!
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Photo of PJ taken by Ural Garrett for Okayplayer.
PJ
Exciting and captivating whenever you hear her, PJ has been on countless radars from Pitchfork to VIBE. We were fortunate to get her before her cut, "Gangster," struck audiophiles in the face with its poppy-goodness. Guess we weren't the only ones watching as Common scooped her up to write and guest feature on two songs from his stirring Black America Again album ("Love Star," "Unfamiliar"). Signed to Atlantic Records and sitting pretty with some pretty strong credits, PJ has proven that the skin she's in is destined to win. For the new year, keep an eye and ear out for the songwriter with the golden pen.
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Photo of WatchTheDuck taken by Ural Garrett for Okayplayer.
WatchTheDuck
The creators behind the trapstep movement, WatchTheDuck, have wowed the world (and Pharrell Williams) with their brand of energetic sounds. Uprooting from Alabama to share their southern charm with interested audiophiles — WatchTheDuck certainly were able to chillax thanks to that Apple Music placement. In addition to that, the tandem performed at this year's Made In America Festival in Philadelphia and the first annual ComplexCon in Long Beach, California. Their album, Trojan Horse, rolled into another stage as they remixed selected tracks with Pharrell and Andre 3000. Certifying themselves as a powerhouse duo on the rise, WatchTheDuck is worth the attention in 2017. Keep watch!
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Photo of JONES taken by Vince Ballentine for Okayplayer.
JONES
With DNA fueled by legends such as Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder, we linked up with JONES (real name Cherie Jones) when she came to the U.S. from London. We spoke to her about the rigors of the music industry scene back home, how her frustrations helped to create great songs that fit into her discography and realized that the stunning beauty had a thing for artistry. Since releasing her debut album, New Skin, she released a video ("Melt") and performed at Headrow House and The Hare & Hounds in Leeds and Birmingham, respectively. Add to the mix that she dropped another song, "Indulge," which is totally worth your airplay and 2017 is looking like takeover city for JONES and her brand of melodies.
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Photo of Jamila Woods taken by Johnny Fan for Okayplayer.
Jamila Woods
Cropping up on countless critics' album-of-the-year lists, we were fortunate to have Jamila Woods before publications doubled-down on the hype. As a Chicago native and the soulful voice you heard on Chance The Rapper's "Sunday Candy" cut, Jamila broke out this year as a certified star and writer with hit song-making appeal. "Blk Girl Soldier" championed those who fought against oppression and the struggle, while simultaneously endearing her to people of color all around the world. Her debut effort, HEAVN, became anthemic as black women, black girls and #BlackLivesMatter all rallied unified in ushering Jamila Woods as R&B's most fully formed artist and one who will impact 2017 more than on just the charts.
Photo of Xavier Omär taken by Johnny Fan for Okayplayer.
Xavier Omär
No one swoons and croons the feminine divine quite like Xavier Omär. The artist formerly known as SPZRKT was a celebrated star on SoundCloud pages who already spent 2016 working with Noname, Maségo and Thelonious Martin to build up his name outside the streaming service. In addition to touring around the country, the San Antonio, Texas native also dropped the excellent sounding album, The Everlasting Wave, which featured the instant-replay single, "Grown Woman". He also took his reputation with the ladies to another level by teaming up with Gionna Lee to remix his equally popular song from 2015, "Blind Man," to champion women in music. Proceeds from sales of the remix would go to Women in Music, an organization that since 1985 has been focused and committed to shifting the narrative through gender equality. With the wave flowing, we're looking forward to hearing more from XO in 2017
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Photo of Tiffany Gouché taken by Shayan Asgharnia for Okayplayer.
Tiffany Gouché
"Red Rum Melody" was my first introduction to the singer wunderkind, Tiffany Gouché. Imbued by a sweet and sultry R&B groove, the Inglewood talent immediately made an impact with her style and substance. We immediately needed to introduce her to the Okayplayer audience because she was certainly one to watch in 2016, and she has proven that fact to be true. She capitalized on her growing reputation with a tour, which produced the live version of "Pillow Talk," and she partnered up with Davion Farris for a song that made our 2016 Cuffing Season playlist, "Don't Hold Back". She also produced for SiR and made guest appearances on albums with Little Simz and THURZ. She is totally one of my favorites to listen to and in 2017 she will only raise her stock as a triple-threat performer.
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Photo of Kenneth Whalum taken by Bryon Summers for Okayplayer
Kenneth Whalum
This Grammy-winning musician has been under the radar for a few years now, but his solid performance skills and songwriting talents have taken him all around the world. Kenneth Whalum has had a celebrated 2016 by performing on stages with Maxwell and created an anthem against the rampant police violence in-and-around the country with Big K.R.I.T. on "Might Not Be O.K." With the two joining forces to put out a collaborative project, it is apparent that Kenneth Whalum is a man who knows just what the people want and how to give it to them from 2017 and beyond.
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Photo of Eryn Allen Kane taken by Dustin Cohen for Okayplayer.
Eryn Allen Kane
If there was no other place that had a more up-and-down 2016, Chicago would certainly be it. The Windy City had violence on a seemingly relentless path from the police to gangs, while musically acts such as Chance The Rapper, Saba, Jamila Woods and Noname have risen in popularity, crushing episodes of Saturday Night Live and stages across the country. Enter: Eryn Allen Kane. My first First Look Friday since being a part of the Okayplayer crew — Ms. Kane has been such a bright light in the music scene that I'm not surprised to see her name included in many other critic's years best lists. She has been everywhere across the country, touring as a headlining act and another with Gallant, featured on another best album candidate of 2016 (Chano's Coloring Book) and has a bright future as an actress in front of the camera. 2017 hopefully promises to be a less devastating year, and we hope + pray that Eryn Allen Kane has continued successes.
What does the new year have in store for audiophiles? Be sure to tune in to First Look Friday every week to stay in the loop with what's next in these streets!
