Pet Door Show’s Independent & Underplayed Black Artists to Watch in 2022
February is Black History Month here in the USA. A month to celebrate Black history, culture, and excellence, as well as to acknowledge, learn from, and act to dismantle the specific obstructions and hostilities that Black Americans have had to face due to racism and white supremacy. Let’s be honest — a month isn’t going to cut it.
As the host of the Pet Door Show on Shady Pines Radio (Thursdays 2–4pm PST / 5–7pm EST / 10pm-12am GMT), I spend a lot of time listening to and thinking about music. Every week, I share tracks released in the past year by independent & underplayed artists from around the world who have fewer than 5,000 followers on instagram.
Today, the mainstream music industry is infamously dominated by white executives and exploitative practices, and popular music genres are often racially segregated in a way that obstructs Black artists but allows white artists to profit from Black culture. In September, a survey by the UK organization Black Lives in Music confirmed that 71% of Black musicians in the UK have been targets of racism or racist microaggressions, and on average earn £300 (US$397) per month less than white artists for their work in music. Those with music qualifications on average earn up to £800 (US$1,058) per month less than their white counterparts. That’s huge.
In the independent music world, there is also significant discrimination. If you’ve ever been to an indie rock show, you’ve seen how heavily skewed the scene is to favor white dudes, despite rock originating from Black creators. That didn’t happen by chance. In the 50s, white executives literally didn’t want to market Black artists to white audiences, so they recruited white rock ’n’ roll artists to promote instead, and it was made virtually impossible for Black artists to perform for white audiences. That blatant discrimination persists in rock and its musical descendants, as well as in pretty much every musical genre. In essence, R&B and hip hop are the only musical genres with decent representation of Black artists, and even then white artists are still overrepresented, and Black artists get pigeonholed into those genres despite not really fitting musically.
So, what can you do? In short, support Black artists. Diversify the music industry at all levels. Pay Black artists fairly for their work. If you book shows, book diverse shows. If you listen to music, buy and share music by Black artists and their bands. Below you’ll find a list of independent and underplayed Black artists and their bands that I love and have played on the Pet Door Show (with music and social links). You can also check out my other blog post from last year, Black artists to support on Bandcamp’s Juneteenth Friday. The Black Opry and Punk Black are also great resources to discover Black artists creating Americana and rock/alternative music. And heck, you can always send me a message and I will happily recommend Black artists in whatever location or genre you’re looking for (though I believe the future is cross-genre).
In honor of Black History Month this February, I heavily featured music on the Pet Door Show by amazing independent and underplayed Black artists all month long, concluding with a 2-hour show 100% full of tracks by Black artists and their bands. And I’d like to share with you a list (arranged alphabetically by full name) of brilliant Black artists and their bands with releases in the past year that I’ve played on the Pet Door Show, all independent and underplayed artists with fewer than 5,000 followers on instagram. (Actually, June is designated as Black Music Appreciation Month, but hey! When isn’t a good time to celebrate Black artists?)
And, of course, here is a Spotify playlist of the list below (open in Spotify to view the full playlist of 187 tracks, and I encourage purchasing using the links provided). Enjoy!
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20NVR
Hip hop. Washington, DC.
Favorite track: Slow Down ft. O-Slice, from the album NVR AGAIN (June 25, 2021)
A
Aaron Stephens
Indie blues soul. Austin, TX.
Favorite track: Ready, from the album Lord Knows (Nov 19, 2021)
Abstract Mindstate
Hip hop. Chicago, IL.
Favorite track: A Wise Tale, from the album Dreams Still Inspire (Aug 6, 2021)
Ahzia
Electronica hip hop. Davenport, IA.
Favorite track: The Wav.*, from the album Welcome to Nowhere (Dec 3, 2021)
* The Wav. was among the Pet Door Show Best of 2021!
Alexalone
Indie rock. Austin, TX.
Favorite track: Unpacking my Feelings, from the album ALEXALONEWORLD (Aug 13, 2021)
Alliteration
Alternative rock. Poughkeepsie, NY.
Favorite track: Dumb, from the album Reject (Oct 21, 2021)
Altered Five Blues Band
Blues. Milwaukee, WI.
Favorite track: Holler If You Hear Me, from the album Holler If You Hear Me (Sept 3, 2021)
Anna Field
Indie folk. Atlanta, GA.
Favorite track: Smile, from the EP Late Bloomer (Dec 3, 2021)
Ami Warning
Indie neosoul. Munich, Germany.
Favorite track: kurz vorm Ende der Welte, from the album kurz vorm Ende der Welte (Jan 14, 2022)
Anna Winkin*
Electronica R&B. Belgium.
Favorite track: Galaxies (Dec 2, 2021)
* Anna Winkin was the Pet Door Show’s highlighted artist on Jan 27th, 2022!
Anthony OKS
Hip hop. Winnipeg, Canada.
Favorite track: All About You, from the EP In The Garden (Sept 24, 2021, LHM Records)
Apollo Flowerchild
Indie alternative. New York City, NY.
Favorite track: The Lights Are Flickering Again! (Oct 29 2021)
Arat kilo & Mamani Keita
World jazz funk. Paris, France / Bamako, Mali.
Favorite track: Kera Kera ft. Aida Nosrat, Sogol Mirzaei, Rusan Filiztek, and Siar Hashimi, from the album Sowal Diabi (from Kaboul to Bamako) (Feb 4, 2022)
Arthur da Silva
Indie surf samba. Belém, Brazil.
Favorite track: Movimento, from the EP Tese Brega-Soul (April 16, 2021)
Ashleigh Brae
Country. Houston, TX.
Favorite track: Longhaul (July 18, 2021)
Atongo Zimba
Folk pop. London, England.
Favorite track: In Heaven No Beer ft. M.anifest, from the album A to Z (Oct 8, 2021)
Ayuune Sule
Afropop. Kumasi, Ghana.
Favorite track: Don’t Be Lazy, from the album Putoo Katare Yire (April 23, 2021)
B
Baba Sissoko
Folk jazz. Italy.
Favorite track: Angafoli, from the album Griot Jazz ft. Jean-Philippe Rykiel, Lansiné Kouyaté, and Madou Sidiki Diabaté (Dec 30 2021, Caligola Records)
Balimaya Project
Folk jazz. London, England.
Favorite track: Balimaya, from the album Wolo So (July 30, 2021)
Bastards of Soul
Soul. Dallas, TX.
Favorite track: Glass of Ashes (Feb 4, 2022)
Batila
Afrobeat folk. Berlin, Germany.
Favorite track: Naboyi, from the album Tatamana (Nov 19, 2021)
BINA.
Indie R&B. London, England.
Favorite track: K.I.S.S. (Acoustic), from the EP This is Not a Film (March 26, 2021)
Black London
R&B. Oakland, CA.
Favorite track: Devil’s Pie ft. Viveca Hawkins
Blaque Alex
Hip hop. Amityville, NY.
Favorite track: Stay Shinin’, from the EP Trust Me … It’s Fire (April 21, 2021)
Blunt Bangs
Indie rock. Athens, GA.
Favorite track: Hot Potato, from the album Proper Smoker (Sept 17, 2021)
Boubacar “Badian” Diabaté
Folk. Bamako, Mali.
Favorite track: Bagounou, from the album Mande Guitar (May 14, 2021, Lion Songs Records)
Brotha Newz & Rummy
Hip hop. Lawrence, KS / Detroit, MI.
Favorite track: Off the Wing! (A Deal Struck), from the album .blackseed! (June 20, 2021)
Brown Dollaz
Hip hop. Miami, FL.
Favorite track: Why I Hustle ft. DJ Triumph (April 26, 2021)
Bumbata
Latin jazz. Moscow, Russia / Havana, Cuba.
Favorite track: Dominó, from the album Timba con Nieve (Nov 6, 2021)
BXKS
Hip hop. Luton, England.
Favorite track: Must Feel, from the album Full Time Daydreamer (June 11, 2021)
C
Cameron Floyd
Americana pop. Cornelius, NC.
Favorite track: Maya (Reprise), from the album Maya (April 23, 2021)
Cedric Noel
Indie. Montréal, Canada.
Favorite track: Bass Song ft. Ella Williams, from the album Hang Time (Nov 12, 2021)
Célia Kameni
Latin jazz. Lyon, France.
Favorite track: C’est un vertige ft. Bigre!, from the album Tumulte (May 21, 2021)
Chatterbox
Psych rock. New York City, NY.
Favorite track: WYGD (Oct 1, 2021)
Che Grand
Hip hop. Brooklyn, NY.
Favorite track: Out The Way ft. Donwill, from the album ZFTP IX (Life Path) (Dec 17 2021)
Chief Cleopatra
Indie rock. Austin, TX.
Favorite track: Friends, from the EP Luna (March 4, 2022)
Las Chollas Peligrosas
Latin folk. Tucson, AZ.
Favorite track: Las Calles De Caracas, from the EP Las Chollas Peligrosas (Nov 12, 2021)
Church Girls
Indie alternative. Philadelphia, PA.
Favorite track: Dissolve, from the album Still Blooms (Oct 8, 2021)
Corduroy Brown*
Indie rock. Huntington, WV.
Favorite track: To My Younger Self, from the album Let Me Know (Aug 13, 2021)
* Corduroy Brown was the Pet Door Show’s highlighted artist on Feb 24, 2022, and To My Younger Self was among the Pet Door Show Best of 2021!
Crys Matthews
Americana. Washington, DC.
Favorite track: Exactly Where You Are, from the album Changemakers (March 26, 2021)
Culture Queen
Kids pop. DMV.
Favorite track: Kwanzaa Slide ft. FYÜTCH (Dec 13, 2021)
D
D Blacc
Hip hop. Los Angeles, CA.
Favorite track: Black Genesis, from the album Blacc Friday II (March 19, 2021)
D. Bledsoe
Hip hop. Richmond, CA.
Favorite track: Chef Terry’s Market ft. Joe Blow & Passwurdz (Nov 10, 2021)
Dill The Giant
Hip hop. Winnipeg, Canada.
Favorite track: Double Down, from the album Weed Man Son (Aug 13, 2021)
Dinner Time
Indie. Atlanta, GA.
Favorite track: This Feeling Is…, from the album Halfway Down (Oct 15, 2021)
Dips & Lo-Wu
Hip hop. London, England.
Favorite track: BSL ft. Mundu, from the album Idle Hands (Aug 12, 2021)
Djamou Sangare & Idd Aziz
Folk electronica. Gqeberha, South Africa.
Favorite track: Lua, from the album Lua (March 26, 2021)
Don’t Be Kendall
Hip hop. Chicago, IL.
Favorite track: Masterclass ft. Sriram Iyer, from the album #DBKSZN (Oct 8, 2021)
DUDE, MY DUDE
Indie rock. London, England.
Favorite track: Bike Ride (Nov 9, 2021)
E
Eki Shola
Jazz electronica. Santa Rosa, CA.
Favorite track: Talks of 21 ft. Justin Ciechoski (Oct 21, 2021)
Electric Jalaba
Gnawa electronica. London, England.
Favorite track: Briando, from the album El Hal / The Feeling (March 19, 2021)
Eli Tha Don & Hot Take
Hip hop. Cleveland, OH.
Favorite track: Rebel Scum, from the album Sith Lord (July 31, 2021)
ESINAM
Jazz electronica. Brussels, Belgium.
Favorite track: Morning Memories, from the album Shapes in Twilights of Infinity (Sept 3, 2021)
Los Esplifs
Alternative cumbia. Tucson, AZ.
Favorite track: Otro Pais, from the album Estraik Back (April 20, 2021)
Etran de l’Aïr
Psych blues rock. Agadez, Niger.
Favorite track: Toubouk Ine Chihoussay, from the album Agadez (Feb 18, 2022)
Excalibur
Hip hop. Suisun City, CA.
Favorite track: Love = Pain ft. Sisi the Lyricist, from the album Ikigai (May 5, 2021)
F
F.A.B.L.E
Indie hip hop. Chicago, IL.
Favorite track: Pink Cartridge, from the 2-track Pink Cartridge // Clicky (Feb 11, 2022)
Fatt Father
Hip hop. Detroit, MI.
Favorite track: Smoke, from the album Soccer Dad (May 14, 2021)
Femi Tahiru
Neosoul. Manchester, England.
Favorite track: One Way Town, from the EP Obsidian (Feb 18, 2022)
Folly Group
Experimental prog punk. London, England.
Favorite track: Sand Fight, from the EP Awake and Hungry (June 11, 2021, So Young Records)
Freddy Stone
Hip hop. Garfield, NJ.
Favorite track: Fishtown ft. Darko the Super & All These Fingers, from the album God Isn’t Bias (May 30, 2021)
G
Gerald McClendon
Soul. Chicago, IL.
Favorite track: I Just Can’t Take Anymore, from the album Let’s Have a Party (June 18, 2021)
Golden Browne
Electronica R&B. Washington, DC.
Favorite track: Get Down, from the album Golden Browne (Sept 17, 2021, HIPNOTT Records)
Granny’s Attic
Folk. Worcester, England.
Favorite track: Rakes of Kirkby / Will Grimdon’s №2, from the album The Brickfields (Oct 8, 2021)
Gravedream
Experimental pop. Chicago, IL.
Favorite track: Squares and a Five (March 5, 2021)
H
Haley Graves
Pop punk. Seattle, WA.
Favorite track: Up (Cardi B) (Dec 2 2021)
Hannah Jadagu
Indie alternative. New York City, NY.
Favorite track: Bleep Bloop, from the EP What Is Going On? (April 23, 2021)
Hi-Fi
Electronica hip hop. San Diego, CA.
Favorite track: Leaning To You, from the album The Moon Behind The Mountains, The Face Between The Trees (Dec 10, 2021)
Highnoon
Indie rock. Philadelphia, PA.
Favorite track: Back To You (Jan 14, 2022)
Houston Kendrick
Indie R&B hipahzia hop. Nashville, TN.
Favorite track: Good Evening Tennessee*, from the album Small Infinity (April 23, 2021)
* Good Evening Tennessee was one of the Pet Door Show Best of 2021!
HUEY, The Cosmonaut
R&B neosoul. Philadelphia, PA.
Favorite track: Gravity Well, from the album Rustbelt Radio (Dec 17, 2021)
I
I Self Devine
Hip hop. Minneapolis, MN.
Favorite track: Uncivilized, from the album That Which is Hidden (Jan 12, 2022)
IKRAAAN
Indie R&B. Antwerp, Belgium.
Favorite track: Dode Bloem (Jan 27, 2022)
Índio da Cuíca
Latin folk pop. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Favorite track: Stribinaite Camufraite Oraite, from the album Malandro 5 Estrelas (May 5, 2021, QTV Selo)
Ipeleng
Neosoul. Cape Town, South Africa.
Favorite track: near you, from the EP pHantom (April 9, 2021)
Irreversible Entanglements
Jazz. New York City, NY.
Favorite track: Open the Gates, from the album Open the Gates (Nov 12, 2021, International Anthem)
J
Jacobi Ryan
Hip hop. Oklahoma City, OK.
Favorite track: Museum, from the album IKIA (Sept 15, 2021)
Jamil Honesty
Hip hop. Baltimore, MD.
Favorite track: Lamentations ft. Ke Turner, from the album The Rufus Buck Project Deluxe Edition (Aug 27, 2021)
JayWood
Indie. Winnipeg, Canada.
Favorite track: Some Days, from the EP Some Days (April 23, 2021)
The Jealous Guys
Hip hop. San Francisco, CA.
Favorite track: Affirmations ft. Lyrical Tone, from the album Art of Hip-Hop, Vol. 1 (Nov 19, 2021)
Jett Holden
Country. Elizabethton, TN.
Favorite track: Taxidermy, from the EP Necromancer (Aug 31, 2021)
Jo Ann Hamilton & the Kevin Fingier Collective
Soul. Georgia, US / Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Favorite track: I Love Without A Love, from the 2-track September / I Love Without A Love (April 23, 2021)
Joviale
Indie pop. London, England.
Favorite track: Up In Flames, from the EP Hurricane Belle (May 21, 2021)
Joyce Olong
R&B. Lagos, Nigeria.
Favorite track: Little Things (Nov 19, 2021)
K
Kandy Guira
Folk pop. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso / Paris, France.
Favorite track: Equilibre ft. Daniel Benoit, from the album Nagtaba (Oct 22, 2021, VLAD)
King Azaz
Punk. Philadelphia, PA.
Favorite track: Ghost, from the album Forever Green (April 23, 2021, Get Better Records)
Kings of Brass
Brass band. New Orleans.
Favorite track: Graveyard (April 11, 2021)
K.O.besha
Indie R&B. Victoria, Canada.
Favorite track: Crush’t ft. Musau-Mulenda, from the album You Are Not Immune to Propaganda (March 22, 2021)
Kolinga
Indie soul pop. Bayonne, France.
Favorite track: Mama (Don’t Let Me) (June 28, 2021)
Kondi Band
Folk electronica. Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Favorite track: Don’t Follow Sweetness, from the album We Famous (Sept 24, 2021, Strut Records)
Kumité
Rock hip hop. Seattle, WA.
Favorite track: Ominous Steps (May 1, 2021)
L
L8 Bloomer
Electronica hip hop. Boise, ID.
Favorite track: Ashes 2, from the album Ashes 2 Ashes (March 16, 2021)
Lady Nade
Indie folk soul. Bristol, England.
Favorite track: Ain’t One Thing, from the album Willing (June 18, 2021)
Len Bowen
Hip hop. Winnipeg, Canada
Favorite track: Lost ft. BBS Steve, DNA, and Mark U, from the EP Flow Nostalgic 2 (Good Years) (Dec 7, 2021, Fourth Quarter Records)
Lilli Lewis
Americana. New Orleans, LA.
Favorite track: Wrecking Ball, from the album Americana (Oct 29, 2021)
London Beck
Indie R&B. Ann Arbor, MI.
Favorite track: True North ft. Anne Erlewine, from the album The Black Satin Sessions (June 11, 2021)
London Daé
R&B hip hop. Tacoma, WA.
Favorite track: Dream Seed, from the EP Dream Seed (Aug 10, 2021)
Lukah
Hip hop. Memphis, TN.
Favorite track: Stygian, from the album Why Look Up, God’s in the Mirror (Sept 24, 2021)
Lutalo
Indie. Minneapolis, MN.
Favorite track: Bad Man (June 24, 2021)
M
Maher Cissoko
Folk pop. Casamance, Senegal.
Favorite track: Thiossane, from the album Cissoko Heritage (Sept 3, 2021)
Mama Haze
Pop. Oakland, CA.
Favorite track: All My Friends, from the EP All My Friends (July 23, 2021)
Mangalô
Indie folk. Brazil.
Favorite track: Vento, from the EP Fôlego (May 7, 2021)
Marisha Ashanti
Hip hop. Oakland, CA.
Favorite track: My Zone (May 21, 2021)
Mbé
Folktronica. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Favorite track: Cerimônia ft. Juçara Marçal, from the album Rocinha (March 19, 2021, QTV Selo)
McKinley Dixon
Indie hip hop. Richmond, VA.
Favorite track: Mama’s Home ft. Alfred, from the album For My Mama and Anyone Who Look Like Her (May 7, 2021)
Metasota
Hip hop. Minneapolis, MN.
Favorite track: I Am Him (June 10, 2021)
Mia Pixley*
Folk soul. Oakland, CA.
Favorite track: Mama’s Got Snacks, from the album Margaret in the Wild (July 23, 2021)
* Mia Pixley was the Pet Door Show’s highlighted artist on Oct 21, 2021, and Mama’s Got Snacks was among the Pet Door Show Best of 2021!
Miko Marks & The Resurrectors
Americana. Bay Area, CA.
Favorite track: Foggy Mountain Top (The Carter Family), from the album Race Records (Oct 1, 2021)
MMYYKK
R&B soul. Minneapolis, MN.
Favorite track: Bout Dat, from the EP Science (Sept 10, 2021)
Monoswezi
Folk jazz. Mozambique / Norway / Sweden / Zimbabwe.
Favorite track: We Crown You Nehanda, from the album Shanu (Oct 29, 2021)
Mr. Sipp
Blues soul. McComb, MS.
Favorite track: Gonna Be Alright*, from the album Sippnotized (April 2, 2021)
* Gonna Be Alright was among the Pet Door Show Best of 2021!
Mumbi Kasumba
Folk soul. Namibia.
Favorite track: She, from the EP Midnight, Vol. 1 (May 7, 2021)
Munk
Funk rock. Baltimore, MD.
Favorite track: Waves (Oct 15, 2021)
N
Nabou
Jazz. Brussels, Belgium.
Favorite track: In the House of F., from the album You Know (Oct 22, 2021)
Naomi Wachira
Folk. Seattle, WA.
Favorite track: Save Everything, from the EP Save Everything (July 10, 2021)
Nápoles
R&B neosoul. Stockholm, Sweden.
Favorite track: 4 in the Morning, from the EP Cloud 9 (Nov 19, 2021)
The Narcotix
Folk electronica. Brooklyn, NY.
Favorite track: John/Joseph, from the album Mommy Issues (June 11, 2021)
nasimiYu
Indie eletronica. Brooklyn, NY.
Favorite track: Immigrant, from the album Potions (May 7, 2021)
Nathan Graham
Americana. Chicago, IL.
Favorite track: Somebody Else (Oct 8, 2021)
Noods
Indie. New York City, NY.
Favorite track: Donkey Kong, from the album Blush (April 16, 2021)
Not From England
Surf rock. Los Angeles, CA.
Favorite track: The Kite, from the EP for the second time (Dec 1, 2021)
O
OGknownforsmokin
Hip hop. Brooklyn, NY.
Favorite track: Friendly Advice ft. Grim Marcello, from the album You Should’ve Been There (Dec 14, 2021)
Ogún Afrobeat
Afrobeat. Madrid, Spain.
Favorite track: In Justice ft. Dele Sosimi, from the album Unite (Sept 29, 2021)
Okuté
Rumba funk jazz. Havana, Cuba.
Favorite track: Na Na Saguey, from the album Okuté (June 4, 2021)
Olicía
Jazz electronica. Berlin, Germany / Copenhagen, Denmark.
Favorite track: Go Go Go (Orange Versíon) ft. Laura Perrudin, from the album Liquid Lines (Oct 1, 2021)
O.N.E. The Duo
Country. Nashville, TN.
Favorite track: River of Sins (Oct 29, 2021)
The Oogars
Psych rock. Cavanbah, Australia.
Favorite track: Waiting All Day, from the EP Waiting All Day (June 4, 2021, Third Eye Stimuli Records)
Orquesta Akokán
Latin jazz. Havana, Cuba.
Favorite track: Mi Conga Es De Akokán, from the album 16 Rayos (Oct 22, 2021, Daptone Records)
Ousanousava
Folk pop. La Ville du Tampon, Reunion Island.
Favorite track: Le jour mi sava, from the album Ça mon pays (Sept 3, 2021)
P
Pat Kalla et Le Super Mojo
Afrobeat. Lyon, France.
Favorite track: Brigand, from the album Hymne à la vie (May 28, 2021)
Petrella
Country soul. Santa Maria, CA.
Favorite track: Try Something New, from the album Songs of Many Colors (July 1, 2021)
Pink Navel
Indie hip hop. Pembroke, MA.
Favorite track: XJ-9, from the album EPIC (Aug 25, 2021)
Proper.
Alternative rock. Brooklyn, NY.
Favorite track: Aficionado (March 4, 2021)
Q
Queen Esther
Americana. Harlem, NY.
Favorite track: The Whiskey Wouldn’t Let Me Pray, from the album Gild the Black Lily (March 26, 2021)
Qween Paz
Indie R&B. Washington, DC.
Favorite track: Hold On Up (April 2, 2021)
R
Rachel Magoola
Folk pop. Kampala, Uganda.
Favorite track: Mugati gwa Butter, from the album Resilience: Songs of Uganda (Aug 27, 2021)
Rest Ashore
Math punk. Hoboken, NJ.
Favorite track: Garden Bastard, from the album Psychogore (Sept 23, 2021)
The Retrograde
Psych rock. Tallahassee, FL.
Favorite track: Baby, Please Don’t Go (traditional), from the album The Retrograde (Jan 28, 2022)
Roberta Lea
Folk pop. Virginia.
Favorite track: Sunshine (Octavia the Great) (Sept 3, 2021)
S
Saint Mela
Indie pop. New York City, NY.
Favorite track: st. paul x parkside*, from the EP a well for my ego (June 20, 2021)
* st. paul x parkside was among the Pet Door Show Best of 2021!
Samba Mapangala
Folk. Washington, DC.
Favorite track: Mapenzi Yetu (June 20, 2021)
Samurae
Folk R&B. Pittsburgh, PA.
Favorite track: Tree Talk (June 22, 2021)
Sayge Butterfly
Singer-songwriter. Unknown location.
Favorite track: Try We Must.. (Live from the Redroom) (Oct 4, 2021)
Seafoam Walls
Indie jazz hip hop. Miami, FL.
Favorite track: See, from the album XVI (Dec 16, 2021)
Sean Links & Jamil Honesty
Hip hop. Rocky Mount, NC / Baltimore, MD.
Favorite track: Grenade Pen (Feb 4, 2022)
Sekouba Kandia Kouyaté
Folk. Conakry, Guinea.
Favorite track: Touyede ft. L’ensemble instrumental et choral national de Guinée & Banlieuz’art (March 12, 2021)
Semiratruth
Hip hop. Chicago, IL.
Favorite track: Neva Go, not wit me, from the album I Got Bandz For the MoonLandin’ (Sept 30, 2021)
Shadi
Hip hop. Milwaukee, WI.
Favorite track: Nu Life, from the album Mansion in the Sky (Aug 10, 2021)
Shantel Solé
R&B. Norfolk, VA.
Favorite track: Golden (June 7, 2021)
Shantelle King
Neosoul. Bradford, England.
Favorite track: Summer Nights (Deserve) (May 31, 2021)
Shunaji
Indie R&B. London, England.
Favorite track: Black Girl Blues (Oct 1, 2021)
Sir Jean & NMB Afrobeat Experience
Afrobeat. Lyon, France.
Favorite track: Twenty Four Seven (March 19, 2021)
Sir Victor Uwaifo & His Titibitis
Afrofunk. Benin City, Nigeria.
Favorite track: Obviemama, from the compilation album Edo Funk Explosion Vol. 1 (March 3, 2021, Analog Africa)
Sista Daddyo
Hip hop. High Point, NC.
Favorite track: Flower Power, from the EP Tales from the Little Black Book (Nov 5, 2021)
Smba
Indie hip hop. Chicago, IL.
Favorite track: Slow Down (March 13, 2021)
Smith Taylor
Indie R&B. Cleveland, OH.
Favorite track: What a Man, from the album Smith Taylor (July 2, 2021)
Solemn Brigham
Hip hop. Wilmington, NC.
Favorite track: Nothing Left*, from the album South Sinner Street (Sept 24, 2021)
* Nothing Left was among the Pet Door Show Best of 2021!
Soso
Folk R&B. Chicago, IL.
Favorite track: Almonds and Vanilla (July 27, 2021)
S.P.G. Da General
Hip hop. Bismarck, ND.
Favorite track: Child of The Source, from the album StarSeed Experience (June 11, 2021)
Steven Bamidele
Neosoul. London, England.
Favorite track: Other Side, from the EP Uncrowded (Oct 15, 2021)
Sunglasses for Jaws
Rock. London, England.
Favorite track: Woke Up from Something, from the album Everybody’s Made of Bones (June 4, 2021)
Super Biton de Ségou
Folk jazz. Ségou, Mali.
Favorite track: Ndossokè, from the album Afro Jazz Folk Collection, Vol. 1 (Nov 12, 2021)
Surron the 7th & Thomas Who
Hip hop. Tulsa, OK.
Favorite track: Raw Cocaine* ft. Bezel 365, from the compilation album Fire in Little Africa (May 28, 2021)
* Raw Cocaine was one of the Pet Door Show Best of 2021!
Swamp
Blues soul. DMV.
Favorite track: Get Gone, from the EP Don’t Say Goodbye (June 4, 2021)
Syssi Mananga*
Folk pop. Nairobi, Kenya.
Favorite track: Mopepe, from the album Mopepe Mama (April 15, 2021)
* Syssi Mananga was the Pet Door Show’s highlighted artist on May 27, 2021, and Mopepe was one of the Pet Door Show Best of 2021!
T
Tae Lewis
Country. Nashville, TN.
Favorite track: Good Friend Jack (April 30, 2021)
Tamala
Folk. Brussels, Belgium.
Favorite track: Diarra, from the album Lumba (Oct 1, 2021)
Tanya Morgan
Hip hop. Brooklyn, NY.
Favorite track: Reaching the Sky ft. Che Grand, from the album Don & Von (Aug 13, 2021)
Tekeo
Hip hop. Battle Creek, MI.
Favorite track: Yesterday, from the album Infinity (March 14, 2021, OasisLtd.)
Ten Tonz
Hip hop. Charlotte, NC.
Favorite track: Christmas Plug ft. Bugzy Mogues & Jesse Lamar Williams, from the album Xmas Countdown (Dec 17, 2021)
Território Antifa
Punk. Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Favorite track: Entre Fardas e Farsas, from the compilation album Território Antifa (Nov 2 2021)
Thirdface
Hardcore punk. Nashville, TN.
Favorite track: Local, from the album Do It With a Smile (March 5, 2021)
This Is The Deep
Indie. London, England.
Favorite track: The Best is Yet to Come, from the album The Best is Yet to Come, Pt. I (May 21, 2021)
Tiger Goods
Hip hop. Cincinnati, OH.
Favorite track: Mentions, from the album Most Improved Award (April 23, 2021)
Touch
Experimental hip hop. Edmonton, Canada.
Favorite track: Miniluv ft. Moves & Cee!!!!!!!!!!!, from the album 1984 (Dec 10, 2021, Hand’Solo Records)
Travis Higgins
R&B/soul. Edgewood, MD.
Favorite track: Green Grass, from the EP Soul Sessions Vol. 1 (March 8, 2021)
Trice
Rock. Philadelphia, PA.
Favorite track: Bulletproof ft. Uncle Mary (July 16, 2021)
Tru Lyric
Indie hip hop. Santa Rosa, CA.
Favorite track: Love Notes, from the EP Black Kids Like Emo (June 4, 2021)
V
Vaudou Game
Afrobeat. Lyon, France.
Favorite track: Tu as déconné, from the album Noussin (June 11, 2021, Hot Casa Records)
Victor Azael
Latin jazz. Málaga, Spain.
Favorite track: Criticones y Habladores, from the EP Victor Azael y su Orquesta (En Vivo) (Oct 21, 2021)
Vita E.
Indie hip hop. Chicago, IL.
Favorite track: Know About It, from the EP Know About It (Oct 9, 2021)
Vittória Braun
Indie folk. Belém, Brazil.
Favorite track: Salto no Breu, from the album Salto no Breu ft. Rafael Lorga (April 23, 2021)
W
WateRR & Tone Beatz
Hip hop. Chicago, IL / Augusta, SC.
Favorite track: Egyptian Linen, from the album Order Of The Day: Return Of The Cherry Tree (Feb 16, 2022)
Webmoms
Indie neosoul. Cornwall, England.
Favorite track: Pasta Bake (Bedroom Session) ft. Maddy, from the 2-track Waiting (Sept 8, 2021)
Won00
Hip hop. Gary, IN.
Favorite track: Land of the Snakes ft. Raw Soul, from the album TARE (Feb 4, 2022)
Written Quincey
Hip hop. Tulsa, OK.
Favorite track: Swing Low (April 18, 2021)
Z
Zairis TéJion
Hip hop. Fayetteville, NC.
Favorite track: Mind Elevation Pt. 2 (Remix), from the album Nine One Oh (July 2, 2021)
You did it! You reached the end! Congratulations. Here’s the whole thing in a handy Spotify playlist again: