What comes to mind when you hear the word alternative relating to music?

For me the band Paramore comes to mind immediately, for years Paramore has held the place on my playlist for alternative music. Along with groups like Twenty One Pilots, Fall Out Boy, and All Time Low. Alternative music began in the 1980’s through the 90’s, the term was used to describe rock music that came from independent underground artists. The term to me has changed into music that has a variety of genres and isn’t commercially accepted.  That being said,

 

 

All of these groups have a couple of things in common, they’re lead by white singers, overwhelmingly lead by white males, and most of them were signed to Fueled by Ramen records if not now then some point in their careers. One thing is clear, when I think of alternative, I associate the genre with white faces. I challenged myself to think what alternative really means, and to me alternative is nothing more than a deviation from a certain type of genre. This new realization opened my mind to the many African American artists who have a place in the alternative music world. More importantly the music from African American women. They’re five black  women who I want to give some light to in the alternative music world.

 

Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman is an American artist who gained popularity in the late 80’s and the early 90’s for her songs Fast Car, Give Me One Reason, Talkin’ bout’ a Revolution. Tracy Chapman’s is rock, pop, folk, soul, and  blues music. Her sound is one that is easy on the ear and heavy on the mind. Her songs tell a story that is often socially conscious and relatable.  

Jamila Woods

Jamila Woods is a Chicago native, you might know her from her collaborations with Chance the Rapper, most notably Sunday Candy

Jamila found her voice, in a high school poetry art program. ”Through poetry, I realized you are the expert of your own experience, she says”. Jamila is all that and then some, her music carries such a warmth with it. She is a conscious artist who prides herself on being a black woman. Earlier this year she released her first album HEAVN.

 

PJ

Paris Jones, who is most known by her stage name PJ is a singer songwriter from Los Angeles. She got her start in the industry writing for heavyweights such as Wiz Khalifa, Usher, Chris Brown, Charlie Puth, and Fantasia. In 2015, she released her first album Rare, an album that I thoroughly enjoy. What I love about PJ is the freedom that she brings to her music, she calls her sound Come Up music and doesn’t put herself in one genre.

 

Willow Smith

Willow Smith has come a long way since she broke onto the scene whipping her hair in 2010. Throughout the years has been a prime example of an alternative artist, her look and sound are always changing. She recently released her second album, The 1st. It is an 11 track album that details the life of a young black girl. I have found the album to be very warm and thought provoking.

 

Noname

Noname, formerly known as Noname Gypsy.

-Singer

-Song Writer

-Rapper

-Album: Telefone

Noname is one of the dopest artist out here today, she has had me hooked on her voice since I heard her verse on Chance the Rappers track Lost. She has also collaborated with Jamila Woods and Mick Jenkins. She always brings a depth to the tracks that I find to be mesmerizing. She’s not your “standard” rapper either, her content is social, personal, and soulful.