EAT

With Love Co. Reopening

8705 Harford Rd. 12:30-6 p.m. 410-665-1978

After two months of being closed due to COVID-19, this plant-based and gluten-conscious hangout—which became an instant favorite among neighbors in Parkville when it debuted last summer—officially reopened on Thursday, June 4. Though all orders are being served via curbside pickup for the time being, the eatery’s mission—summarized in a hand-painted wall mural that reads, “Everything begins and ends with love”—remains the same. Call ahead this weekend to pre-order cold-pressed juices, lentil burgers with a side of deviled avocado, raw lasagna, classic açai bowls, and more.

DRINK

Union Craft Brewing Cauldron to Kettle Release

1700 W. 41st St. $12

This weekend, Union is releasing a beer dedicated to the brilliant, talented, and hardworking women in the brewing industry. As its name signifies, the French-style saison celebrates the history of female brewers dating back to the 15th century, and how they have revolutionized the process throughout the years. Now available in 12-oz. six packs for delivery and dockside pickup, the rustic farmhouse ale highlights hints of lychee, pear, and delicate spice.

SEE

June 5: “Let’s Talk About Race” with Nic Stone and D. Watkins

8 p.m. Instagram Live.

Among the many discussions, texts, documentaries, and other educational resources circulating in the wake of George Floyd’s death is this Instagram Live series with New York Times best-selling young adult author Nic Stone. Rounding out her nightly discussions this week is an installment featuring our own best-selling author, activist, and University of Baltimore professor D. Watkins. Tune in as the two engage in a solution-based conversation about racial injustice.

HEAR

June 6: Sidewalk Serenades with Al Rogers Jr.

Times and locations vary. $75.

Creative Alliance’s socially distanced sidewalk concerts continue this weekend with special guest rapper, singer, songwriter, and all around must-see performer Al Rogers Jr., who will be roving around with trumpeter Brandon Woody and drummer Josh Stokes. Only a few time slots remain for you to bring a bit of “Swooz,” (Rogers’ signature mantra defined as expressing compassion, love, and gratitude), straight to your front door. Learn more about Rogers and listen to some of his essential tracks, here.

DO

June 6: Crawltimore: Virtual Donut Bike Crawl

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $25.

Every year around National Donut Day, Nikolas Hill organizes this eight-and-a-half mile bike ride with planned stops at multiple donut shops around the city, in which riders learn about the owners and taste the treats. Like many other beloved events, the crawl has gone virtual due to the coronavirus. So instead of biking as a pack this year, Hill is encouraging riders to grab a dozen from their favorite shops and settle in for an Instagram Live conversation with Michelle Diggs of Blondie’s Doughnuts, Mike Roslan of Diablo Doughnuts, Melanie Molinaro of Little Fig Bakeshop, and Doug Wetzel of Donut Stop Believin’, who will all talk about their love of the sugary circles. All proceeds from the virtual discussion will be shared by the donut purveyors and donated to the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute for Pediatric Ophthalmology research.

As is true in many American cities, black artists are the heartbeat of Baltimore, and perhaps nowhere is that pulse louder than in our world-renowned music scene. Across myriad genres, musicians of color turn out the type of songs, albums, and live events that could only be born in this city. They’re bold, they’re ground-breaking, they’re rich in experimentation, exploration, and vivid storytelling about the black experience. Five years after the death of Freddie Gray, as the nation breaks out in protest and unrest over the death of George Floyd, there’s never been a better time to listen to and learn from what these vital creatives have to say. Here are 25 of the many talented local acts to get you started.

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Abdu Ali
From their all-inclusive Kahlon dance parties at The Crown to their latest album, FIYA!!!, Abdu Ali is without a doubt a leading voice of the music community, as well as for queer artists and creatives of color in Baltimore and beyond. With a backbone of their hometown genre, Baltimore Club, with brushstrokes of fervent jazz, their music is an idiosyncratic amalgam of futuristic punk-rap poetry that packs a powerful message about oppression and identity. Kudos are also due for their As They Lay arts initiative, whose recent fundraiser helped raised mini grants for artists of color impacted by COVID-19.
Listen Now: “I’m Here Now (Fiyah!!!),” “Did Dat,” “Chastity”

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Al Rogers Jr.
When it comes to spreading positivity, Al Rogers. Jr makes it his mission, even creating his own expression—“swooz”—for the good stuff: joy, happiness, and love. The trendsetting hip-hop artist imbues that optimism into every song—be it a heart-on-his-sleeve ballad or a funky, feel-good experimental rap track—using smart wordplay, infectious beats, and messages of inspiration. That said, he doesn’t shy away from hardships and hurdles either. Combining jazz, hip-hop, and R&B, the beloved rapper is a go-to for exploring emotions, digging deep, and finding a silver lining.
Listen Now: “Crystal Geyser,” “Bright Hard,” “Sayno”

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Brandon Woody
The past of Pennsylvania Avenue’s rich and revered jazz history is being shepherded into the future thanks to local musicians like Brandon Woody, a rising twenty-something trumpeter in the city’s resurgent jazz scene. He’s performed brass with local legends of the genre like Eric Kennedy and Jeff Reed, as well as DIY rappers like Abdu Ali and Al Rogers Jr., led open-mic nights at the Motor House, and performed regularly with his ensembles at An Die Musik. An alum of Peabody Preparatory’s Tuned-In program and the Brubeck Institute in California, he’s a highly talented, expressive instrumentalist who brings a fiery flare to every set.
Listen Now: “Woodallou,” “Miking Trumpet to Whammy Pedal,” “Real Love Snippet”

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Brooks Long & the Mad Dog No Good
When you first hear the songs of Brooks Long, you will simultaneously think you’ve known them forever and that you’ve been waiting for them all your life. The local singer-songwriter pays homage to the old-school sounds of eras past—particularly mid-20th century soul, funk, blues, and R&B—while adding his own flair, humor, and heart to every mellifluous lyric and smooth melody. Long is also a strong advocate for documenting Baltimore music history, from the present and past, with his Creative Alliance “Songster Series” highlighting both beloved and underdog artists.
Listen Now: “Got Soul,” “Heavy Petting,” “Have You Been Getting Too High?”

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Butch Dawson
It’s no secret that Butch Dawson is a name to know now in Baltimore. Over the past few years, the local rapper has emerged from underground rap staple to a front-of-the-pack headliner, carving out his own lane through a formidable fusion of hip-hop, chill wave, and punk with the potent spirit of DIY. Many of his tracks are about surviving the “swamps,” as he calls the West Baltimore streets where he grew up, and the fortitude that comes with it.

Listen Now: “Feel Nobody,” “Trigger,” “Division Street Blues”

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Dapper Dan Midas
There might be no greater Baltimore cheerleader than Dapper Dan Midas, aka DDm. From his days on the local rap battle circuit to his role as frontman of beloved hip-hip duo Bond St. District to his star-power solo career, the charismatic, dynamic rapper has carried Baltimore on his shoulders and imbued the city, in all of its beauty and struggle, into all of his buoyant and hard-hitting verses. Most notably in his latest The Ballad of Omar, DDm critically examines the black experience of growing up in Baltimore and along the way bares his own soul. It’s a must listen for everyone who calls this city their home.

Listen Now: “The Ballad of Omar,” “Swivel, “Hooray”

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Deetranada
When you finally discover Deetranada, you, too, will ask yourself: “Under what rock have I been living?” This 18-year-old wordsmith and one-time star of Lifetime’s The Rap Game (she placed second) has already garnered a serious fanbase in Baltimore and beyond (think hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of views). And for good reason: as shown on her first two albums, Deetranada has some of the most impressive, bravado-filled flows and sharpest, hardest-hitting rhymes about coming up in Baltimore around.
Listen Now: “Attitude!,” Box,” “Know Me”

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Dyyo
In the endless quest to find the next great artist, Baltimore music fans can look no further than the force to be reckoned with that is Dyyo. This alternative rap artist has a singular, shapeshifting sound founded in potent energy, explosive experimentation, and hearty nods to influences like punk rock and improvisational jazz. His latest Live! record bottles that exploratory sound with the clashing drums, driving guitar, and serpentine brass of a full band with Dyyo’s own kinetic vocals at the forefront. As he continues to evolve as an artist, make sure you’re there to follow, and headbang, along.
Listen Now: “Raspberry,” “Checks in the Mail,” “Fight or Flight?”

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:3ION

We hope that in the distant future, there will always be love songs, and we imagine that they will probably sound something like the avant-garde R&B of Elon Battle, or :3ION. Come for the dark, romantic melodies and digital dance beats, but stay for the singer-songwriter’s luminously moody falsetto vocals that float like a feather—swinging low, soaring high, and always speaking to the deepest desires of the heart. :3LON has become a stalwart of the local scene, appearing on many a genre-crossing lineup in Station North, and recently touring nationally with acclaimed Baltimore indie duo Lower Dens.
Listen Now: “Haven,” “Aria of Resilience,” “Many Moons”

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Eze Jackson
One of the most iconic, indispensable voices in Baltimore music is undoubtedly that of Eze Jackson. Over the last decade, the hip-hop frontman has been a dogged creative force for the local arts scene—putting on powerful performances as an MC through solo projects and his powder-keg alt-hip-hop group Soul Cannon, uplifting up-and-coming artists through the Bmore Beat Club rap series, constantly collaborating, and always speaking honestly about black inequality and empowerment. His recent “Be Great” was played over a loud speaker as marchers knelt in unity on Monday’s youth-led protest.
Listen Now: “Unapologetically Black,” “Be Great,” “You Need Some”

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J. Pope

Listen to Jasmine Pope and hear her roar. From her bands the Funk Friday to the HearNow, the alt-soul singer-songwriter’s compellingspoken-word delivery and captivating stage presence has become a stalwart of the local scene over the last decade, capturing the attentions of diverse audiences, beloved by all corners of the city’s scene. Riding on the up-tempo funk and blues-infused, jam-band-style melodies of her bandmates, Pope is a modern-day poet at the core, delivering vigorous verses with rapid-fire flow, honeyed vocals, and powerful messages of truth and positivity.

Listen Now: “Soul Searching,” “Confusion,” “Check Your Soul”

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James Nasty
When considering any of the city’s local concert, festival, and event lineups, one thing is for certain: If James Nasty is on the bill, it’s going to be a good time. This veteran DJ and Bmore Club producer has become a household name in Baltimore for his high-energy mixes that master the genre’s rapid pace and patchwork sound but with a nod to the greats who came before him. Even those who think they haven’t heard of him likely have, as his hits have been regularly spun on local radio stations. Over the last nearly two decades, he’s incited instant dance parties at places such as Paradox, Ottobar, Light City, and most recently The Crown, and been a prolific musician performing hundreds if not thousands of sets across the city.
Listen Now: “Them Do It Horns,” “Pop,” “Dynamite”

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Josh Stokes
Over the last few years, Josh Stokes has been a quiet pillar of the Baltimore music scene. The drummer-singer dynamo has performed in live bands, recorded backup and feature vocals, and been an opening act for other beloved names across the city—all while working on his own exceptional, experimental tunes, making him undoubtedly one of the most hardworking musicians in the city. But his trippy new-age take on funk is worthy of its own consideration for a textured, throwback sound and Stokes’ own ethereal, gospel-tinged croons.
Listen Now: “Focus,” “Thank You,” “14 Daze”

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Joy Postell
Singer-songwriter Joy Postell broke onto the scene with her heart-wrenching recording of “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” in the aftermath of the death of Freddie Gray and the subsequent Baltimore Uprising, asserting herself as a mighty voice to be reckoned with. Her follow-ups, “Consciousness” and “Water,” and the entire album Diaspora, would continue her socially minded music, in which she speaks to injustices faced by the African-American community and incorporates influences of jazz and soul into her hip-hop and R&B. On her latest EP, more personal than political, Postell continues to showcase her ability to speak truth to power.

Listen Now: “Consciousness,” “Water, “Back and Forth”

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JPEGMAFIA
He might have moved to the West Coast a few years back, but JPEGMAFIA continues to rep Baltimore, writing songs about his local days, collaborating with local artists, and showing up to perform shows at local venues where the crowds came out in droves. The bicoastal artist’s avant-rap, rooted in dystopian soundscapes and provocative rhymes, is an act of artistic defiance. He refuses to stay inside the lines, to appeal to mainstream audiences, to be bound by genre. For that, from sets at Coachella to rave reviews in indie music publications, all eyes are on JPEG to see what comes next.
Listen Now: “Free the Frail,” “1539 N. Calvert,” “Cutie Pie!”

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Kotic Couture

It’s hard to straddle both the poignant and the party, but up-and-coming rapper Kotic Couture excels at both, approaching their music with confidence and vulnerability, tipping a hat to their journey from a small-town upbringing to being a new leader on the Baltimore music scene. Whether it’s an outright club banger, bare-bones ballad, magnetic live solo performance, or their much-loved Version queer dance party with DJ Trillnatured at The Crown, Couture showcases a creative, colorful versatility that’s all their own—speaking honestly to dreams, doubts, and staying true to yourself.
Listen Now: “Grammy Speech,” “Growing Pains, “Drippin’”

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Lafayette Gilchrist

Over the last 25 years, Gilchrist has earned legend status in the Baltimore arts community. A winner of the prestigious Baker Artist Award, this Washington, D.C. native, longtime Baltimore resident, and piano guru has cemented himself in the city’s artistic history through his jubilant jazz compositions. They’re fueled by propulsive rhythms and seamless improvisations that effortlessly capture the essence of Baltimore—its energy, its joy, its struggle—as well as serve as iconic scores to David Simon’s HBO series The Wire, Treme, and The Deuce. Be sure to catch one of his upcoming livestreams through An Die Musik.

Listen Now: “Assume the Position,” “Bmore Careful,” “Deep Dancing Suite”

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Mighty Mark
Baltimore truly has a soundtrack to the city with the homegrown genre Baltimore or Bmore Club, born here in the 1980s by the likes of Miss Tony and Scottie B with a breakbeat sound that fuses hip-hop, house music, and staccato samples to create a pulsating, frenetic dance party. In recent years, Cherry Hill’s Mighty Mark has been the torchbearer, producing bass-fueled beats for his own tracks, collaborating with other club-minded creatives like TT The Artist, and appearing on national TV, all to assure that the genre continues to make its mark on history.

Listen Now: “Be More,” “Payroll,” “Don’t Want None”

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QueenEarth
The music of QueenEarth is like a salve for the soul. With faint touches of influences like India Arie and Lauryn Hill, the acoustic vocalist makes melodies all her own, using expressive beats and soulful vocals across tracks that range from textured, meditative instrumentals to jazz-infused R&B melodies. Through both her mindful tunes and her community education efforts, QueenEarth has made it her life’s work to share a message of empowerment for women of color, LGBTQ pride, social justice, and spiritual uplift.
Listen Now: “Dear Love,” “Quarantined Sax,” “Game”

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RoVo Monty
Modern love is complicated, but putting it into song seems effortless for RoVo Monty. The electronic R&B songwriter celebrates black queer romance in his effervescent music, asserting his desires, unpacking his fears, ultimately creating a lush musical environment for self-expression and self-empowerment. Inspired by fashion, dance, and disco, rife with irresistible hooks, bouncy beats, and velvety vocals, each track is club-ready and impossible not to bop along to. Monty is also a choreographer; be sure to check out his accompanying videos to learn a thing or two from his knock-out dance moves.
Listen Now: “Pretty in Pink,” “Pretn’d,” “Fix It”

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Rufus Roundtree and Da B’more Brass Factory
A Baltimore institution and high-energy music collective, Rufus Roundtree & Da B’More Brass Factory is hands down one of the most fun, feel-good shows in town, fusing funk, hip-hop, blues, and jazz into a Baltimore-meets-New Orleans get-down that could spark a second line. As the name implies, it’s a brass-heavy sound performed by some of the city’s most talented instrumentalists and led by the smoky, spirited vocals of bandleader Roundtree in his signature chapeau (said to have been a surprise gift from George Clinton).
Listen Now: “Me Think Me Love You,” “In Dem Streets,” “Get Up Live”

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Trillnatured
The lack of safe spaces for people of color and the LGBTQ community has long been a point of contention in Baltimore City, but each month, upstairs at The Crown, Jessica Hyman, aka DJ Trillnatured, creates a welcome, feel-good environment in her monthly Version dance party. Since 2017, these events have been a free, feel-good, second-Saturday night ritual full of Hyman’s dynamic mixes, Kotic Couture’s charismatic emcee, and all-out, sweat-drenched dance-offs into the wee hours of the morning. She’s also lent a hand in teaching the next generation of black Baltimore DJs as a former instructor at Baltimore Youth Arts.
Listen Now: “Use a Damn Coaster,” “True Laurels Show Live,” “This Side Up”

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TT The Artist

She may have relocated to Los Angeles last year, but it goes without saying that TT The Artist will always be Baltimore. The MICA grad has played a pivotal role in bringing Bmore Club onto the big stage, performing at Coachella, collaborating with Diplo, landing tracks on TV shows like HBO’s Insecure and Comedy Central’s Broad City, starting her own woman-of-color-forward Club Queen Records, and now releasing her debut documentary film on the city’s homegrown genre, Dark City: Beneath the Beat, which should have premiered at SXSW this spring. With vivacious energy, fierce lyrics, and undeniable beats, we hail the club queen that is TT.

Listen Now: “Thug It Out,” “Diamonds,” “Off the Chain”

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Warren Wolf

From the Baltimore School for the Arts through Peabody Preparatory to recording and performing with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Cyrus Chestnut, and Robert Glasper, Warren Wolf has made a name for himself, at home and abroad, as a young great of the modern jazz scene­—all while keeping Baltimore’s rich history with the genre alive and well. The West Baltimore native is an in-demand virtuoso on the vibraphones, performing at local concert halls like An Die Musik and prestigious venues around the globe. It’s the sound of another era, made, with groove and gusto that is positively contemporary.
Listen Now: “Montara,” “Soul Sister,” “For Ma”

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Wendel Patrick
Wendel Patrick is a man of many hats: rapper, composer, producer, co-founder of the Baltimore Boom Bap Society improvised concert series, co-creator of WYPR’s esteemed Out of the Blocks radio show, and Peabody Conservatory professor of hip-hop, to name a few. The multi-talented, classically trained artist has a gifted ear and is a master at collaboration, winning the 2015 Baker Artist Award and being referred to as “David Foster Wallace reincarnated as a sound engineer” by the former Urbanite magazine. Simply put, everything he touches turns to sonic gold.
Listen Now: “A Tale of Two Producers,” “Time,” “Producer”

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Each month, we’re amazed by the musical talent of this city’s artistic community, but never has it been more apparent than in the age of coronavirus, acting as both a salve and a source of hope. Even from quarantine, artists are continuing to hone their craft, and their fans can still show their support by purchasing music and and merch. In this month’s The Big Baltimore Playlist, we showcase 10 local songs to listen to right now, ranging from pandemic jingles to iconic cover songs and uplifting original hip hop. Check back each month for new top songs of the moment, and follow our Spotify playlist for a soundtrack to the city.

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“No To Corona” by Butch Dawson

Leave it to Butch Dawson to drop the city’s first coronavirus anthem. Over a murky, moody beat, the punk-infused rapper and tongue-in-cheek wordsmith turns a hand-washing jingle into hard-knocking hip-hop. Along the way, he covers all the bases: personal hygiene, social distancing, disinfectant products, protective equipment, and more. It’s a touch of levity—and legitimate advice—in the strange times of COVID.

“Haven” by :3ION*

Few musicians know how to pull our heartstrings quite like Elon Battle, or :3ION, whose electronic R&B melodies continually evolve the modern love song. On this ethereal new single, the singer-songwriter’s falsetto vocals float light as a feather, lilting over a twinkling melody that glitches in and out like the state between sleep and wake. The repeated decrescendo lyrics reassure romantic loyalty, even or especially through hardship, which could likely be related to by many a listener these days.

“Now I Live in Truth” by Greg Hatem*

Local musician and Natural Velvet drummer Greg Hatem has released a new solo album, Springlight, that loosely recollects a psychedelic journey, with this final song marking the trip’s end. Swirling in effusive synth and technicolor soundscapes, it’s a futuristic pop melody, shedding the deep, dystopian tones of the record’s previous tracks, arriving with spring-like newness at a place of buoyant clarity. It seems to remind us: there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.

“Quarantined Sax” by QueenEarth*

One of the cures for coronavirus anxiety? We don’t have a medical degree, but we think it’s safe to say: Jazz. And thanks to acoustic singer-songwriter QueenEarth, we now have a whole album of instrumental, jazz-influenced tracks from her new Queer Core: Songs for Isolation. We found this fifth track particularly soothing, fueled by serpentine saxophone and sprightly keys, allowing us to finally unwind in its instrumental interplay. Be sure to check out “Piano Lesson” while you’re at it, too.

“Back the Hale Up” by Landis Expandis*

And just like that, another quarantine track we never knew we needed until now, thanks to musical dynamo Landis Expandis, or rather, LHL—aka Landis-Harry-Larry—with the beloved DJ/singer’s two alter egos also in tow. The music video for this funky, infectious tune is half the fun, with Landis’s doppelgängers performing bubbly synth over a steady drum machine beat in matching outfits in the middle of a grocery store aisle. Meanwhile, the lead singer’s playful lyrics recount a trek to the store and the interactions had there with those folks who just don’t get social distancing. You know who you are.

“Everything” by Mateyo, Al Rogers Jr., and Josh Stokes

This winter track by a trifecta of Baltimore talent is, indeed, everything we need to get us through moments of quarantine doldrums and remind us that summer is still yet to come. A boppy, effervescent beat by local producer Matthew Lampart, aka Mateyo, serves as the undulating backdrop for the honeyed chorus croons of singer-drummer extraordinaire Josh Stokes and the feel-good, free-flowing verses of rapper Al Rogers Jr., both speaking to the simple necessity of love.

“Quite Some Time” by Modern Nomad

Modern Nomad has become one of our go-to bands for the sort of sun-soaked nostalgic dream-pop that transports us to brighter, warmer, carefree days. Possessing a meditative quality, the local quintet’s ’70s-tinged tunes can sound like swimming in the mesmerizing flow of a lava lamp or walking in a smoke-swirled haze down a California beach. Lose yourself in this new track, featuring reverberating guitar, peppy keys, and Tom McLean’s soft, sleepy vocals, bringing his most intimate truth to light.

“Angel from Montgomery” by Outer Spaces*

In the age of home concerts, our favorites might just be those of the incredible mounting collection of old folk and Americana cover songs by singer-songwriter Cara Beth Satalino. This heartbreaking acoustic rendition of John Prine’s 1971 classic arrived at the end of March as news broke that the legendary musician was in critical condition with the coronavirus. He would pass a week later, but his influence remains, as does this ode, with the Outer Space’s frontwoman’s raw, slow-burning vocals making it all her own.

“Glue” by Shinji*

This shimmering new single from indie-pop quartet Shinji is a perfect soundtrack for the continual daydream that is quarantine. With jangling drums, aching guitar strings, and hazy New Wave synth, it evokes the best of the 1980s and the youthful ennui of other lifetimes. “Alone, on my phone, is where I will be,” sings frontman Josh Frazier in distant reverie. Us, too, listening to this tune.

“My Year” by T.Ali

Consider T.Ali a Baltimore artist to watch, with this spring single showing the pure-hearted promise of the rising rapper. A comeback anthem imbued with old-school influence and founded in both hardship and hope, his earnest verses feature smart rhymes and measured flow, with assists from fellow city artists Miss Kam and Chris Cassius. Be sure to also dig into his just released debut album, Since We’re Being Honest.

*Not on Spotify. We’ll add it to the playlist if it comes online.

Al Rogers Jr.

SwoozyBaby

On his latest release, with the title referring to his trademark mantra for spreading good vibes around the city and world, Al Rogers Jr. cements himself as the master of the remastering old-school sounds with new-school flavor. Fusing jazz, soul, hip-hop, R&B, and even a touch of Bmore Club, the West Baltimore rapper creates music that’s both new and nostalgic, fresh and familiar, all at once, and these eight tracks offer a “message to the dreamers,” as he puts it. Listen not just for the wordsmith verses, melodic beats, and live instrumentation by the local likes of trumpeter Brandon Woody and drummer Josh Stokes, but also the inspirational life lessons. Like, “Never sell your soul or yourself short,” or, “In a world of Mr. Me-Toos, there’s only one you.” There’s clearly only one Al Rogers Jr., too.

The High & Wides

Seven True Stories

Bluegrass is so much more than just acoustic strings and achy-breaky vocal croons. Some might call that country, while its up-tempo cousin, bluegrass, is ultimately about the stories. And the second album from this Baltimore-by-way-of-Eastern Shore band is full of them—11 tales of hard times and heartache, age and death, religion and America, both true and apocryphal. The rising quartet has found their own lane in the old-school genre, digging deep into tradition, reimagining it with a modern soul, and these new tunes push that pursuit even further. Across breakneck barnburners and lonesome ballads, they showcase their individual talents and collective strength, flawlessly harmonizing on both lyric and chord. Through such artistic dives, both in sound and sense of place, they’re writing a story of their own.

In the latest iteration of The Big Baltimore Playlist, we found five local songs to listen to now, ranging from breakneck bluegrass and comeback indie rock to masterful electronic music. Check back each month for new top tracks of the moment, and follow our Spotify playlist as we continue to build a soundtrack for our city.

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“Crystal Geyser” by Al Rogers Jr.

Leave it to Al Rogers Jr. to drop the most infectious song of autumn so far. This first single off his new album, SwoozyBaby, titled for his trademark mantra for spreading good vibes, is giving us summer energy with its almost tropical, rat-a-tat beat, chiming bells, and smooth, swift vocals. Play it on repeat (trust us), then dig into the rest of the West Baltimore rapper’s record for even more one-of-a-kind inspiration.

“Sat By A Tree” by Dan Deacon

This morning, electronic wizard Dan Deacon announced his upcoming 2020 album, Mystic Familiar, with this first single and its accompanying creepy, crawly music video. Looking into the topics of life and death, this bright, buoyant melody is full circle in its familiar touches and techniques from both his most recent and earliest work. It’s peak Deacon—a beautiful opus—and it leaves us eager to listen to the rest of the record.

“Reverie” by The High & Wides*

This song came to singer Marc Dykeman almost entirely in a dream—hence the name. But it’s a perfect example of the natural talent of this rising bluegrass quartet, whose debut Lifted made the Billboard top-ten charts last year for its genre. With their sophomore Seven True Stories due out this December, this track is a sneak peek of the ways in which their abilities—fast-flying fingers, vocal and instrumental harmonies, creative storytelling—only continue to grow.

“Dogs” by Joyero

Wye Oak’s Andy Stack has struck out on his own under a new debut solo project, Joyero. For the first time, the drummer’s voice moves to the forefront, and it’s a cool, calming sound. Now based in Marfa, Texas, the sparse yet saturated melody captures the transition between his different cities, relationships, and lifetimes—a dreamy, electronic reel-to-reel. Trappings of his old bands are there, but it’s wholly all his own. Plus, it might have the best music video, of all time.

“Local Honey” by Mary Prankster*

If you’re of a certain age, you might not know the name Mary Prankster. But for those Baltimore music scene veterans, and musicians in the know, the genre-jumping singer-songwriter was an alt-rock cult icon here in the 1990s. Now back after taking more than a decade off from recording and touring, her new album, Thickly Settled, drops this weekend, which she calls a “rollicking cross-country road trip.” Consider it a comeback with this first single—’60s and surf-inflected, backed by some of the city’s best musicians, into pure, don’t-make-it-like-this-anymore indie-rock.

*Not yet on Spotify. We’ll add it when it becomes available.

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

 EAT

Feb. 10: Clues, Brews and BBQs

Blue Pit BBQ & Whiskey Bar, 1601 Union Ave. 5-8 p.m. Free. 443-948-5590. 

It might be the dead of winter, but nothing will warm your heart like downing a plate of Blue Pit’s coffee-rubbed brisket or bourbon-glazed ribs to support local rescue pups. This Saturday, Hampden’s dog-friendly bar will donate 10 percent of your final bill to Baltimore Bully Crew, a grassroots organization that helps rescued pit bulls. Come for the melt-in-your-mouth barbecue and local brews and stay for the themed escape game from Charm City Clue Room, where participants will solve a short series of puzzles to “save” a stuffed blue pit bull.

 DRINK

To Feb. 9: Sip & Shine

American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy. 6-9 p.m. $30-35. 410-244-1900.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and what’s more romantic than a night filled with wine, a scavenger hunt, and mosaic magnets? Nothing, really. The American Visionary Art Museum’s twist on a sip-and-paint night lets guests compete in an after-hours scavenger hunt through The Great Mystery Show, their current exhibit on mystical investigations and curious subjects. Grab another glass of wine or beer and dive into the museum’s treasure chest of craft supplies to make a take-home mosaic magnet for you and your valentine.

 SEE

Feb. 9-11: Constellations & Crossroads

Arena Players, 801 McCulloh St. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 5 p.m. $20. 410-728-6500. 

In a theatrical collaboration like no other, Arena Players, Baltimore’s historic African-American community theatre, and Baltimore Rock Opera Society, the city’s rock theater powerhouse, present Constellations & Crossroads, a double-feature production filled with American history and live rock music. “Determination of Azimuth” follows the story of Katherine Johnson, a black NASA mathematician who performed calculations that made space flight possible. The second musical, “The Battle of Blue Apple Crossing,” depicts a fictionalized account of the legendary blues guitarist Robert Johnson. If you miss the first three shows, don’t worry, they’ll be back on the West Baltimore stage again next weekend.

 HEAR

Feb. 10: Roses

Showroom Café & Bar, 120 W. North Ave. 9 p.m. $8-10. 410-862-0930. 

We’ve watched them grow and rise in the local music scene over the past few years, and this weekend some of Baltimore’s up-and-coming artists are giving a little love back to their city. Micah E. Wood, Joy Postell, Al Rogers Jr., and Bobbi Rush will serenade the Saturday night crowd at Station North’s Showroom with their heartfelt energies and a performance that is sure to sweep you off your feet. Lose yourself in Wood’s trademark talk-sing, fall for Postell’s neo-soul rhythms, admire Rogers Jr.’s honest rap, and relish in Rush’s dreamy melodies. If you need a preview, follow The Big Baltimore Playlist on Spotify where we’ve featured our favorite songs by these talented artists.

 DO

Feb. 10: Frederick Douglass Day

Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. 12-4 p.m. Free. 443-263-1800.

Among the many legends born in the Baltimore region, few are more revered than Frederick Douglass. Raised on a plantation on the Eastern Shore, the freed slave turned iconic abolitionist became one of the country’s most widely-read authors and famed orators. Throughout his lifetime, he preached about universal human rights, educated other slaves, and became the first African American to receive a nominating vote for president. Celebrate his 200th birthday and honor his historic legacy at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum this Saturday with lectures by historians Dr. John Stauffer and Dr. Lawrence Jackson, readings of Douglass’s speeches by history re-enactors, and a children’s art and story hour with illustrator London Ladd.

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Al Rogers Jr.

BrightHeartedNigga
(self-released)

Al Rogers Jr. has never been afraid to be himself, and his heart-on-his-sleeve authenticity has allowed him to make some of the best hip-hop in the city. But as earnest as the local rapper might be, his true talent lies in his ability to surprise, from 2015’s Outkast-inspired Luvadocious with Blacksage’s Drew Scott to the star tracks on this brand-new second record. Now, Rogers stands alone, more confident and deliberate than ever, with tight, measured rhymes and a few standout melodies. “Sayno” might be our favorite song of Al’s thus far—a cantering Spanish ballad that tells the story of love lost through hushed lyrics, rhythmic finger snaps, the quivering heartache of violin, and a final flutter of piano. To all of that, we say yes.

Micah E. Wood

See Me
(self-released)

These days, between dating apps and ex-stalking on social media, people are pretty obsessed with modern romance. Are our communication skills ruined? Is chivalry officially dead? On this new album, local songwriter Micah E. Wood tackles these love-struck conundrums head on, splaying out his heart and rolling through his emotions with honesty and humor to describe the highs and lows of love. In the poignant “Match,” he candidly delves into the brutal honesties of online dating. In his first single, “Without You,” his anthemic chorus sums up the jubilant feeling of finally getting over a breakup. In the buoyant “Something,” his bubbly beat embodies the beauty of letting your guard down and liking someone again. Through tender electronic melodies and his trademark talk-sing, Wood reminds us of all the missed connections and second-guesses. He makes our hearts feel human again.

In this sixth iteration of The Big Baltimore Playlist, we found five local songs we can’t get enough of, ranging from fast-rising hip-hop to rambunctious punk to dreamy indie instrumentals. Check back each month for new top songs of the moment, and follow our Spotify playlist as we continue to build a soundtrack for our city. 

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“Everyone in the World” by Amazing Bill

As lead guitar player for local soul sensation Bosley, Will Lederer has learned a thing or two about pop music. On this debut solo record, his vintage-tinged pop tunes, like “Pets” and “ETC,” are certainly noteworthy, riddled with energy and brass. But we fell in love with his indie digressions. Drawing on the likes of darlings LCD Soundsystem and Tame Impala, this subtle second track blossoms into a beautiful electronic ballad, filling your ears with aching vocals, glissando keys, and a thunderous boom-clap beat. A clever lyricist, Lederer imagines a make-believe world of boyhood—or better yet, bad boyhood—filled with The Graduate flirtations, teenage infidelities, and infinite popularity. As the melody crescendos into an anthemic chorus, though, you realize he’s probably better off. Amazing Bill is actually one of the good guys. And his music happens to be great.

“Stupid” by Colada

Most of us can relate to the subject of this first single from singer-songwriter Colada. With the trappings of a ’90s R&B classic, this smooth number addresses that feeling of losing control, getting lost in your own head, giving into the temptation for someone new. Her honey-coated vocals capture those silly, head-over-heels attractions as they lilt about a lush, pop melody, produced by Bmore Club veteran DJ Mighty Mark and featuring guest vocals by beat queen TT The Artist. In the stoop-studded music video, the always-fashionable Al Rogers Jr. also stars as Colada’s love interest (and in our December issue’s music reviews, now on stands). Be sure to check out her debut album, Colada’s Way, out this Friday. 

“Downtown” by F City

We love the powder keg that is F City. This super-group trio, made up of singer Lala Anderson, drummer Landis Expandis, and bassist Paul Joyce, has just released a rambunctious double album, with one side dedicated to rabblerousing Southern Gothic punk and the other a soulful medley of funkadelic hip-hop. Both pay homage to sounds that came before, and they come through your ears like a rock-and-roll thunderstorm. We love this breakneck rhythm from the A side, sizzling with scuzzy fuzz guitar, swirling with trills of old-school organ, and electrifying by lightning-speed ratatat drums. The tight, rollicking rhythms and playful, call-and-response vocals put the band’s chemistry on full display. Expect to leave one of their live shows radiating with energy.  

“Fast Life” by Lor Choc

It’s safe to say that Lor Choc is one of Baltimore’s most promising young rap stars. The 19-year-old artist has already received local acclaim from the likes of The Sun and Baltimore Beat for her sharp rhymes and dexterous delivery, as well as national attention from trendsetting music publications Fader and Noisey via Vice. In this come-up track, the West Baltimore native celebrates the hustling pursuit of money and ultimately dreams (NSFW lyrics included). It touches on her own life, once living fast but now taking “a break because I’m focused on my development,” as the Baltimore City Community College student alludes to her current studies in computer engineering. With her singular voice and this sort of catchy, sparkling beat, inspired in part by pop-leaning inspirations like Lauryn Hill and India.Arie, the young rapper’s career won’t be slowing down anytime soon. 

“Trillium” by Peals

We’ve once again found ourselves lost in the 2016 release of Honey by Baltimore instrumental duo Peals. We said it before and we’ll say it again—this mesmerizing album was made for dreamers, and few songs more so than the lovely “Trillium.” William Cashion and Bruce Willen’s bright melody was just brought back into our consciousness with the release of a new music video that’s equally spellbinding and surreal. Propelled by steady taps, twinkling bells, a heartbreaking twang, and swell of bass, this blooming feat incites the imagination. The video itself transports you into the whimsical mind of musically inspired fifth graders. Watch their fantasies played out in real life, and then come up with your own.

In this fifth iteration of The Big Baltimore Playlist, we feature five local songs we can’t get enough of, ranging from Spanish-infused hip-hop and legendary modern jazz numbers to one rollicking rendition of Britney Spears. Check back each month for new top songs of the moment, and follow our Spotify playlist as we continue to build a soundtrack for our city. 

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“Sayno” by Al Rogers Jr.

Al Rogers Jr. has never been afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, pushing his feel-good, sentimental swooz out into the atmosphere everywhere he goes. That open authenticity has allowed him to make some of the most accomplished hip-hop in the city, which we’ve raved about in the past. And yet as earnest and honest as the local rapper might be, he always manages to surprise us, from his 2015 Outkast-inspired Luvadocious to the new tracks of his just-released BrightHeartedNigga. This track, made with local producer Kariz Marcel, is our favorite surprise of Al’s thus far. It’s unlike anything we’ve heard him do yet—a cantering Spanish melody that tells the story of love lost through hushed lyrics, rhythmic finger-snaps, the quivering heartache of violin, and a final flutter of piano keys. To all of that, we say yes.

“Like Laughter” by Amy Reid

If it were possible to create a musical version of the feeling of bliss, this song would come pretty close. Airy synth swirls around every inch of this lush, lilting melody, as deep-blue-toned tribal drums pulse in and preparie Amy Reid’s lyrics for liftoff. On this debut solo project from the local singer, who also performs as half of experimental R&B duo Chiffon, each track transcends the physical realm, with this euphoric number truly sending our heads into the clouds. It loses us in our imagination. It conjures up dreamscapes and ignites distant memories that were forgotten the moment we awoke from sleep. Give into your senses and let the song do the rest.

“Flak Bait” by Calgrove

We dig the lo-fi, low-key sound of this new indie-rock quintet. The Lutherville group was formed as recently as last year, but their hazy Americana music exhibits a musical companionship that only comes from long-time collaboration, which, in this case, for most of the band, dates back to childhood. Born out of bedroom jam sessions, this warm, sunny melody is as listless as the lazy, nostalgic, humdrum days of youth, but there’s a backwoods depth that comes with the sinuous twang of lap steel guitar. The gentle talk-sing lyrics lend well to this easy-listening ditty—one fit for hot coffee on a cool dewy morning, an evening porch sit, or a sunset drive. Catch them live alongside other local talents at venues like the Ottobar, Joe Squared, and Millstone Cellars.

“Assume the Position” by Lafayette Gilchrist

If you are anything like us, you’ve been spending the last month waiting all week for Sunday night thanks to David Simon’s new HBO masterpiece, The Deuce. But beyond anticipating the next plot twist, we’re waiting for those end credits to roll, when the show fires up that funky, horn-riddled tune by local legend Lafayette Gilchrist. Simon used this 2008 track in The Wire, too, but now the Baltimore jazz pianist’s upbeat single has been infused with new life. No matter how dog-tired and dreadful we are of work the next day, we can’t help but look alive for those last few minutes, and boogie in our PJs to this bodacious instrumental groove.

“Gimme More” by Natural Velvet*

Leave it to Natural Velvet frontwoman Corynne Ostermann to create such a searing cover of the one and only Britney Spears. This chart-topping pop song came on the heels of Spears’ infamous head shaving incident of 2007, which Ostermann once told us was a source of pop culture inspiration for her own band’s rebellious music. Now, this pit-ready rendition is everything that the local post-punk quartet does best: swirling live-wire guitar, breakneck drums, and Ostermann’s playful breakdown of feminine stereotypes—each howl, growl, and guttural “more” at a time. We only hope that Britney gets the chance to hear it.

*Not available on Spotify yet. We’ll add it when it comes online.

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

 EAT

September 24: Union Graze

Artifact Coffee, 1500 Union Ave. 5-8 p.m. Free. 410-464-8000.   

It might be in the eighties this Sunday but we’re hoping the temperature drops by sundown to celebrate the first weekend of autumn with Union Graze. Located at the courtyard behind Artifact Coffee, this family-friendly shindig features provisions by chef Craig Falk of the beloved Lunchbox Lady and Big Softy plus the neighborhood’s own Union Craft beers and the warm Americana tunes of Rattlewood. Graze on a seasonal selection of soups—Hungarian hock and bean, squash and lentil, crab and corn verde—and creative grilled cheese creations—oven-roasted tomato, pulled pork, something amazing called “three-cheese dream”—and get ready for the flavors of fall.

 DRINK

Sept. 23: Mr. Trash Wheel’s Friendversary Party

Peabody Heights Brewery, 401 E. 30th St. 7-10:30 p.m. $25-35.

When a 5-foot West African ball python was found on Mr. Trash Wheel back in 2015, no one expected the incident to lead to a tight relationship between the googly-eyed trash interceptor and Peabody Heights Brewery. But lo and behold, that odd event has created the most unlikely of friendships—one that has even led to the creation of Mr. Trash Wheel’s very own session IPA, named after the sneaky spotted snake that started it all. At this weekend’s celebration, indulge in all-you-can drink Lost Python ales and Peabody Heights brews while enjoying local food, live music, and real-life animal encounters with serpents from Eco Adventures. Proceeds will benefit the Waterfront Partnership and Healthy Harbor Initiative, so raise a glass to friendship, beer, and clean waters. 

 SEE

September 22-24: Baltimore Comic Con

Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. Fri. 1-7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $25-1,000. 410-526-7410.

This weekend, the streets of Baltimore will transform into a cartoon lover’s paradise as the 18th Baltimore ComicCon takes over the convention center. Come dressed to impress and let your geek flag fly as the three-day event features a costume contest, comic books for perusal or purchase, and the opportunity to meet famous superheroes, like O.G. Wonder Woman Lynda Carter. You might even get an autograph from Maryland cartoonist Frank Miller, of late-era Batman comics, Daredevil, Sin City, and 300 fame, who will also be in attendance.

 HEAR

September 22: CreativeMornings: Compassion

Tectonic Space, 2000 Greenmount Ave. 8:30-10 a.m. Free. 931-305-0883. 

With all the hustle and bustle we experience as weekday warriors, finding the time to slow down and be mindful of others can be a trying task. This Friday, start the weekend off on the right note with the monthly CreativeMornings breakfast talks. Amidst the street art and graffiti-inspired exhibit at the new Tectonic Space in Barclay, the September talk tackles the topic of compassion, featuring with Baltimore-based musicians Joy Postell and Al Rogers Jr. Postell, a bold unabashed neo-soul singer and one of our 2017 Best of Baltimore winners, and Rogers, a funky, forward-thinking hip-hop artist, will discuss social awareness and the importance of radiating compassion out into the world. Hopefully next thing you know, you’ll be planting seeds of kindness everywhere you go. 

 DO

September 22-24: Baltimore Book Festival

Inner Harbor. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free.  

Baltimore may no longer be “the city that reads,” but during the Baltimore Book Festival, it sure could’ve fooled us. For three days, the Inner Harbor becomes a bookworm’s dream, filled with book sales of all genres, author signings, poetry readings, panel discussions, and much more. For the 22nd year, grab some paperbacks and be sure to sit in on conversations with renowned writers like TED Talk celeb of We Should All Be Feminists fame Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, former Sun sportswriter John Eisenberg, and National Book Award winner Alice McDermott. While you’re there, be sure to enjoy a Dogfish Head happy hour with brewmaster Sam Calagione, a meet-and-greet with a Guerrilla Girl, and a chance to ask rock-star-matriarch-turned-author Virginia Grohl your burning Foo Fighters questions. Yes, that’s Dave’s mom.

Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Charm City weekend.

 EAT

June 3: Taste of 3 Cities

Patterson Park, 2806 Eastern Ave. 12-9 p.m. $15-65

If you consider yourself indecisive, prepare to be put to the test this weekend on the hills of Patterson Park. The grassy knoll will transform into a glutton’s paradise as a hoard of food trucks parks along the edge of Highlandtown. Dig into more than 40 mobile munchies hailing from Philly, D.C., and Baltimore, including hometown favorites Kommie Pig, Grr Che, Gypsy Queen, and the one-and-only Miss Twist, with beer, wine, margaritas, and crushes on tap as well. Whatever your pick and poison, set up shop at one of three stages to catch regional dance performances and, best of all, to hear live local music like headlining act Bond St. District.

 DRINK

June 2: Station North Tool Library Happy Hour

Station North Tool Library, 417 E. Oliver St. 5-8 p.m. Free.

If you’re looking to meet fellow creatives or just start your weekend with a cold beer, throw away the workweek and throw back a Union Craft this First Friday at the Station North Tool Library. The mixed-use makerspace is a community hub for everyone from amateur builders to accomplished woodworkers, with classes ranging from home repair to knife-, cutting board-, and coffee table-making. Sip a UCB can, sign up for some workshops, and scramble down the street into the warm late-spring night.

 SEE

June 2-3: Nights on the Fringe

Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St. 7:30 p.m. $20-35.

Charm City Fringe—best known for its 10-day fall festival celebrating untraditional, independent performance—is taking the stage early this season during its third annual Nights on the Fringe. For two nights, immerse yourself in a medley of artistic acts in the vein of vaudeville with hosts Aaron Henkin of WYPR, Umar Khan of Gin & Jokes, and Josh Kuderna of BIG Improv. On Friday, catch performances of spoken word by Baltimore’s 2015 youth poet laureate Derick Ebert, aerial stunts by In The Dark Circus Arts, and shadow puppetry by the Lantern Sister. On Saturday, stop by for hip-hop dance moves by Bmore Than Dance, slam poetry by Grim Jackson, and live music by Afro House’s Astronaut Symphony. Whether you come for one show or all, it will be an unexpected weekend to remember.

 HEAR

June 2: Natural Velvet

Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St. 8 p.m. $10-12. 

We can’t give away how much we love the new Natural Velvet record (you’ll have to check out our July issue to find out more), but let’s just say: You don’t want to miss this local post-punk quartet. They’re one of the best young acts in town, with a fearless flair and ball-of-fire energy thanks to the wiry guitars of Kim Te and Spike Arreaga, guttural drums of Greg Hatem, and amorphous howl of captivating frontwoman Corynne Ostermann. This new album (their second with local label Friends Records) is their most fierce release to date, so see it live alongside fellow local opening acts, electronic R&B duo Blacksage, beatmaker Infinity Knives, and trance-noise group Halloween Tres. 

 DO

June 2: Good Fridays Baltimore

EMP Collective, 307 W. Baltimore St. 9 p.m. $10. 

Almost seven months ago, Baltimore arts and culture editor Gabriella Souza was on the phone with John Waters when she got an idea. The local auteur had mentioned how The Buddy Deane Show, a teen dance show that aired on WJZ in the late 1950s and early 1960s, had inspired his most mainstream film, Hairspray! Over the years, similar variety shows and dance programs, like The Shakedown, had all but disappeared. Wouldn’t it be great, mused Waters and Souza, if people could just get together today—regardless of race, class, age—and dance? With the help of PipeDreamz’s Ansar “AC” Miller-Abdullah and City Paper and Baltimore contributor Cassandra Miller, Good Fridays Baltimore was born. This Friday night, don’t miss its inaugural dance party, be it live at E.M.P. Collective in the Bromo Arts District or live-streamed on YouTube from your own home, to hear live music by rapper Al Rogers Jr., see local art by Shan Wallace, and a throwback video countdown to the main event. Best of all, be sure to get down—even abashedly in front of your computer or TV screen—during the two-hour dance party by DJ JaySwann.

Dope Body
Kunk (Drag City)

If The Clash and Rancid had a child—a moody, angsty child—it would be Dope Body. Since 2008, the local quartet has been refining its sound with gusto, power, and fury. At times hard-core heavy metal, at others ’90s garage grunge—but mostly pure punk rock—the band’s sound is always raw, rough-and-tumble, and mosh-pit ready. Amidst clashing hi-hats, thunderous drums, plugging bass, and shredding guitar, Andrew Laumann’s distinctive vocals rumble from hoarse choruses, as in “Goon Line,” to deep, dark verses, as in “Obey.” Our favorite might be “Down,” a shimmering digression from their meatier headbangs. It calls out to the brooding teen inside us all.

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Al Rogers Jr. & Drew Scott
Luvadocious (self-released)

Get to know Al Rogers Jr. Whether he’s being named one of The Sun‘s 10 under 30, mingling with the crowd at Sowebo, or getting down at The Crown, the young artist has a fresh style that leaves you wanting more. On his new project with Blacksage’s Drew Scott, the self-proclaimed lover/creator/dreamer conjures up his own world, “Luvadocious,” where God is a woman, “love isn’t feared,” and “pursuing your passion is accepted.” His dynamic wordplays are backed by Scott’s skilled beats, culminating in a sort of experimental, chill-wave hip-hop. Rogers swings his voice like freestyle jazz, dancing between playful, fast-paced spits and soulful, sexy swoons, and he skips the tired, typical raps (women, cash, cars) to approach grander questions (love, life, himself). Each quest is imbued with spirit and swagger, spreading the feel-good vibes that he likes to call swooz. Even the slow songs make you move along.

See our Q&A with Al Rogers Jr.