A guide to modern Christian RnB & Soul - Women Edition
SSTEDI, Trulah, Madison Ryann Ward, Leslie Perez and more.
Hi Pal,
Welcome to today’s edition. I hope you’re doing well. Have a wonderful week ahead.
A few years ago, I wrote something similar to this and I realized a couple of weeks ago that at that time, I had just 36 subscribers here. It’s incredible how far along this little project is and the budding community created here. Anyway, consider this an updated list for all lovers of RnB and Soul.
Madison Ryann Ward
Madison Ryann Ward is an eclectic artist from Oklahoma whose creative range pushes the boundaries of the classic definitions of RnB. Drawing inspiration from multiple influences, she incorporates folk, hip-hop, blues, electronica, funk, and gospel into her music, creating art that can’t be restricted to a specific box.
Beyond the genre classifications, her soulful and vibrant tone is constant. She has two albums out so far, and I highly recommend them if you love this genre.
Claudia Isaki
Claudia Isaki is a French-Congolese musician whose brand of RnB/Soul is deeply steeped in folk and jazz sensibilities. Few artists can soothe the soul the way she can when she picks up an acoustic guitar.
She released two EPs in 2020, "My Home" and "Golden Hour," which broadened my horizons regarding Christian music in this genre. She also released the "More Flowers" EP in 2023 and a collection of demos last year. I'm always hoping for a full-length album from her.
Victory
The Detroit-born Victory Boyd is a unique artist whose secular success doesn't take away from the quality of her music or the clarity of her message, and I've grown to appreciate her artistry.
Her music is a blend of soul, folk, and gospel sensibilities, but her unique approach to crafting an LP truly sets her apart. Both of her albums are highly conceptual and deliberate in their composition, direction, and execution. This distinctive style garnered much critical acclaim for her latest album, "Glory Hour," released in 2023.
Darla Baltazar
Darla Baltazar is a singer, songwriter and producer from Manila, Philippines. As an artist, her creative range extends beyond RnB. Still, fewer artists have been more consistent for about 5 years in alternative RnB compositions and neo-soul expressions.
She has a way of capturing the nostalgic feels of 90’s RnB and giving it a modern and current twist. This sentiment is perfectly captured in her debut album "Soul Talk" released in 2024. This signature style is also evident in the numerous singles she released before the album.
Jackie Legere
Jackie Legere is a singer-songwriter from Connecticut. Spending time listening to RnB has taught me about the many unique flavours within a genre that may look simplistic on the surface.
Jackie Legere's music is a must-listen for fans of ethereal and soothing alternative R&B. While she has been releasing singles regularly, I'm eagerly awaiting a full album or EP from this talented artist.
Lee Vasi
Lee Vasi is a singer-songwriter based in Atlanta. Originally from Fayetteville, NC with a Puerto Rican-Dominican and African American heritage, there are interesting dimensions to her approach to RnB from the first listen.
She has the shortest discography on this list and is the most recent entry into the scene. Nonetheless, her 2024 EP was a unique experience for me. She is very conversational in her songwriting approach and does a good job of blending RnB with hip-hop sensibilities.
SSTEDI
SSTEDI's diverse background, with family roots in Jamaica and Florida and time spent in College Park, Maryland and Charlotte, NC, influences her unique musical style and sets her apart in the industry.
Her songs have a unique quality that's hard to describe, but I've learned to recognize them within seconds. It might be her distinctive tone or the signature sound she's developed as a producer. Perhaps it's a combination of several elements.
Whatever it is, she has quickly become one of my favourite RnB artists and I’m hopeful we will get an LP soon.
Leslie Perez
Singer-songwriter Leslie Perez, hailing from Twin Cities, Minnesota, has captivated me with her consistent and soulful sound. Despite her relatively short career with only three EPs released, she has quickly become one of my favourite voices in the R&B and Soul genres.
The artist's growth from her 2022 debut EP, "When Will We Learn to Let Go?", to her 2024 EP, "Echo" is remarkable, and I'm excited to see what she releases next.
Trulah
Trulah, a Charlotte, NC-born singer-songwriter now based in Nashville, offers a unique blend of vocal jazz and soul that defies easy categorization.
Her dynamic vocal range and masterful control, especially in her lower register, make her a standout in the Christian music scene and provide an unparalleled listening experience.
The incredibly diverse projects "Prologue," her debut album released in 2020, and the EP "As For Me," released last year, showcase some of the best music on the scene.
Eris Ford
Eris Ford and her brother, Evan, are a dynamic brother-sister duo from Colorado known for their unique blend of R&B and hip-hop. While they have collaborated on projects in the past, both have embarked on solo careers in recent years. Eris notably released her debut album, "This I Know," in 2022.
She has also been consistently dropping singles since the album dropped. If you’re a fan of modern RnB with hip-hop infusions, you can’t get it wrong with her.
That’s it for today.
Catch you at the next one!
Feel free to leave a comment. Also, I am always open to hearing from you so feel free to send an email to me at stismavo@gmail.com