Ville Magazine l Insider Access for City Lifestyle Nov/Dec / Holiday Issue 2016 | Page 44

BE ENTERTAINED

Watch List
written by Casey Martin

Sometimes you can only take so much of the new age mumble rap or sugar pop before you dive into a cave
of your favorite familiar artists. But, with a little research, luck, and help from friends you can find talented
artists who prove there is still incredible music to be heard. Here are five artists you must know in 2017.
ANDERSON .PAAK
It has been a busy year for Anderson .Paak. He’s released
two studio albums, Malibu and Yes Lawd, toured the world,
signed to Aftermath Entertainment, and was featured on
the XXL Freshman cover. If you’ve never heard his music,
you should already be impressed. His sound transcends
genre. One minute it’s hip-hop in its purest and rawest
form. A second later, it’s R&B and jazz as smooth as silk.
Next, it sounds like it could belong on a deep house mix.
www.andersonpaak.com
MANATEE COMMUNE
Hailing from Bellingham, Manatee Commune (aka Grant
Eadie) sounds like a stroll in the woods. This incredibly
humble and talented artist is the perfect mixture of chill
wave, electronic and indie rock. Grant’s music is rooted in
electronic music but is layered with electric guitar, wind
chimes, viola, and more. He impressively switches back
and forth between Ableton and real instruments during
his live performances.
www.manateecommune.co

BAS
Bas is a Parisian born rapper who now resides in Queens,
New York. Only four years after Bas began rapping in 2010,
he was signed to J. Cole’s Dreamville Records and released
his first album last winter. His sophomore release, Too High
To Riot, will give any hip-hop head a warm fuzzy feeling.
It demonstrates Bas’s growth as a writer as well as his
exploration of social and personal issues.
fiends.nyc

Rachel Cabitt Photography

MAGGIE ROGERS
Last March, Pharrell visited the NYU Clive
Davis Institute and was given the chance to
listen to students’ music and offer feedback.
Maggie Rogers was one of those students. The
video of Maggie and Pharrell listening to her
song “Alaska” went viral because of Pharrell’s
incredible emotional reaction to her music.
Maggie’s voice is angelic. She is now signed
to Capitol Records, and the music video for
“Alaska” reached over 500,000 views in just
two days. The singer/songwriter is currently
working on her debut album.
www.maggierogers.com

SOLANGE
When Beyoncé is your older sister, there is undoubtedly a huge shadow looming
over you. But with the September release of A Seat at the Table, Solange has
really stepped into her own element. Her incredibly soothing voice and the blissful
instrumentals are juxtaposed so perfectly with themes of empowerment, culture,
pride, and race. With this album, Solange has truly found herself a seat at the table.
Let us hope she decides to stick around after this album and tour in the near future.
www.solangemusic.com
44 l VILLE l THE HOLIDAY ISSUE