Word Around the Sound is… I’m utterly obsessed with rising artist Kenshi Killzzz. Her latest music video “Nosy”—directed by Akari and shot and edited by Oliver Stamatatos—presents more like a short film documenting a recent trip that she took to New York. As she roams around the Big Apple, she gives us healthy, organic bars that don’t feel like a dime a bag or a dozen, rather refreshingly authentic and full of substance. The ease at which she floats along with the saucy beat cooked up by Evan George is incomparable in today’s scene as she blends classic and modern delivery styles together to create her own unique cadence.
Kenshi Killzzz – “Nosy”
Talaya. – C l e a r.
Talaya sings at a healing frequency. Her blend of downtempo R&B produces a comforting aura that wraps around you like a weighted blanket. Her new album C l e a r. is tender, tapping into Talaya’s vulnerable side while she sings with passion and clarity. The intimate nature of most of the tracks are best listened to through headphones while you’re lying on the floor with your mind and heart open to experiencing the same vulnerability that Talaya expresses herself. As the album progresses, you can feel the energy rise until the culminating track “we can just vibe” which finishes the project on a groovy note that reinforces the empowering messages she had sprinkled throughout the album.
Thursday, June 20: Talaya will celebrate the release of her album C l e a r. with a show at Madame Lou’s featuring guest performances from Charles Zaid and Rell Be Free. Custom, hand-made merchandise from Talaya will also be available for sale on-site. Doors will open at 7:30pm with tickets starting at $22 for those 21 and up.
Hanif Mustafa – Wrapped in Garments
Pacific Northwest legend Hanif Mustafa just released his latest album, Wrapped in Garments, and for the first time ever he’s made his music available on all digital streaming platforms. Entirely produced by Flvmingo, the project has a classic sound with bits of Hanif’s life and culture reflected in the boom bap beats. No gimmicks needed, no flashy hooks or catchy choruses to distract you, Hanif gives us straight up, raw bars that detail his life living in Portland. With a couple features from two other PNW icons Fatal Lucciauno and Anthony Danza, Wrapped in Garments is a tremendous celebration for the upper left corner of the hip-hop world.
Wynne – “Rug Burn”
Girl, get up. Why are you on the floor? Crying? We’re not crying anymore now that Wynne has dropped the music video for her new track “Rug Burn.” The confidence-boosting single is all about the bounce back from a breakup. As she rhymes, she works through the complex feelings and emotions felt after a separation, using that energy to build up her strength and push forward. She rounds out her verses with big sister energy as she encourages others to heed her lessons, dust themselves off, and then try again.
Chong the Nomad – DO WE MAKE OF THIS?
Chong the Nomad hears the world through a much different perspective than the majority of people. Her elevated aural palette is able to paint pictures and tell stories with unique sounds that seemingly only she can develop. In her first full-length album she uses her songs to tell the story of her journey in artistic development as well as life in general.
DO WE MAKE OF THIS? takes you many places as she blends her light-hearted, playful personality with the taut melodies of her vulnerabilities which either results in moments of harmonious bliss or beautifully stressful examples of her audible growth. So, lend her your ears and allow your mind to open up to and explore these new soundscapes.
AJ Suede – “Three Towns”
For AJ Suede’s latest music video release, he decided to take the name literally and traveled to not just “Three Towns”, but seven different cities spread across four countries. In the description for the music video on YouTube Suede credits the places he filmed saying, “Shoutouts to the cities of London, Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, Berlin and Stockholm. Knowhatimean.” The track was a bonus addition to his 2023 album Ark Flashington which saw a deluxe version released in May of 2024. Keep your eyes peeled like string cheese, because you never know where Suede will pop up next.
Tammam – “Pretty Girls”
The artist previously known by Allen Deshae has switched up his moniker for the next chapter in his artistic journey. His first release under the name Tammam is the fresh R&B jam, “Pretty Girls.” As an ode to beautiful women, the track takes a simplistic approach with a slow rolling beat from Nima Skeemz that allows Tammam to let his melodies shine.
Mr. Nicenice – “Work It”
A lot of the releases for this edition of Word Around the Sound are saturated with deep, introspective thoughts and powerful messages. Well, Mr. Nicenice has a powerful message in his latest track too, which is “Come on bad bitch, you ain’t no average, you a savage, now work it bad bitch.” His bouncy flow has a bit of grit to it that harkens back to the classic turn of the century club banger days; making this modern-day banger the perfect song to add to the summertime day party playlists for all the baddies to “Work It” to on the dance floor.
Terra Nobody – “Inconsequential” (music video)
Back in 2022, Terra Nobody released their infectious single, “Inconsequential” and now we get a whimsical music video to match. Channeling the angst of puberty but from the perspective of an empowered adult, we see frontwoman Ali reflect on the struggles of existing as a woman in a patriarchal society. With a bedazzled baseball bat, she smashes through the piñata of negativity singing, “don’t tell me to smile. I don’t owe you anything at all.” You can catch Terra Nobody (most likely) performing this song at the 2024 Capitol Hill Block Party on Saturday, July 20!
Angie Staxx – “Too Heavy”
Angie Staxx made her debut last year with the incredible Hidden Gem EP that made it to my list of favorite albums from around the Pacific Northwest for 2023. Her new music video “Too Heavy” is her first release since and she doesn’t disappoint with a hard-hitting, quick playing track that serves up nothing but savage bar after bar.
