Every generation has individuals who carry forward the legacy of those who came before them. They pay homage through music and art while recognizing the hard work of earlier artists. Musicians often draw inspiration from the lyrics, beats, and styles of their predecessors. This inspiration is expressed through sampling, cadence, and lyricism in their own songs. When one great artist finishes their contributions, it is time for the next to shine. These contemporary artists deserve your attention as they continue the legacy of those before them, sharing their unique styles and providing our generation with fresh sounds.
Naomi Sharon:
Naomi Sharon, a Dutch-Caribbean singer and songwriter, has been gaining popularity thanks to her spiritual sound. Her music evokes the style of Nigerian-British singer Sade, characterized by her angelic vocals and calming melodies. Recently, she signed with Drake’s label, OVO, becoming their latest R&B solo artist. Additionally, her music transcends genres, incorporating house elements in some tracks while others feature a mellow alternative R&B vibe. In her debut album, “Obsidian” she showcases how she fuses these genres together while exploring themes of love and trusting what’s to come. As heard on during her song “Definition of Love”, “You give me faith/ That love can be instant/Break down these walls/ Remove all the distance/ All I see/ All I know/ Is that you are a definition of love.” This versatility sets her apart as an artist capable of working across multiple genres.
D2x:
Chicago rapper D2x has been making a name for himself in the local music scene, which has helped elevate his profile in the rap industry. In 2018, he released his EP “Enjoy Life,” which gained popularity thanks to the track “Woop Woop.” The album showcases his vulnerability as he shares the challenges he faced, such as dropping out of college basketball and experiencing recording in the studio for the first time. He also discusses how he built confidence in his rap skills. D2x’s sound is reminiscent of the Chicago rapper Kanye West. His cadence and lyrics pay homage to West’s unique style and music. D2x is reminiscent of West’s albums like “Graduation” and “The College Dropout.” Within D2x songs, he mentions West as well in his song, “BE (HOME),” with the lyrics “Back in the treehouse/ I just knew I could take the world/ I seen Ye do it.” The lyrics reflect how West has inspired to keep going despite life’s challenges.
Lizzie Berchie:
Born and raised in East London, singer-songwriter and producer Lizzie Berchie has gained neo-soul listeners with her unique style, which fuses her childhood influences of R&B, neo-soul, and jazz. These genres together create a soulful sound when hearing her musical influences span from Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and Cleo Sol. Her music explores themes of life, love, and self-growth. She expands on these themes in her EP, “Am I an Adult Yet?”. In the album’s first track, “Don’t Get Ahead Of Yourself,” she explores the themes of life and self-growth and she encourages the listeners to take their time in life and learn from it, “Waiting makes it sweeter/The lessons we learn on our way are deeper/Times a creeper, don’t let it deceive you.” The instrumentation fused with her soft vocals creates a captivating jazzy sound that makes listeners to every lesson she has integrated in her songs.
Naomi Sharon, D2x, and Lizzie Berchie each possess a unique style while also paying tribute to those who came before them. Their ability to fuse genres, discuss important themes in their work, and captivate audiences with their vocals demonstrates why they are poised to shine in the music industry.
