When it comes to what’s next in music, Duane Powell is the go to guy. Here we have Duane share with ro five artist he thinks will make a big splash in 2014. Remember where you heard it first.
Gwen Bunn
It has been an amazing year and a half for singer/producer Gwen Bunn. She has produced the track “Collard Greens” for Schoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar, won the Coca-Cola Female R&B/Soul W.O.W. competition on B.E.T.’s 106 & Park and featured on several heat seeking albums including Darryl Reeves Mercury and the latest albums from Zo! and The Foreign Exchange. All this has set the stage for pandemonium for the release of her debut full length album Melody Dungeon in January.
Lil John Roberts
Philly born, ATL based Lil John Roberts has been one of the go to drummers in music for quite some time now. He’s played for or toured with the ‘creme de la creme’ of the industry including Michael and Janet Jackson, Ne-Yo, the late George Duke and Jill Scott. In March, he will officially take his place as a bandleader and solo artist with the release of his debut album The Heartbeat that will include a few features from some of his industry friends.
KING
KING burst onto the scene boldly in 2011 with their three track ep The Story and made instant fans out of the likes of Prince, Questlove and Erykah Badu. Last year the trio comprised of Anita Bias and sisters Amber and Paris Strothers took to the road for their first U.S. tour as a supporting act for UK soul sensation Laura Mvula. In 2014 the trio will make their global debut with a European tour and will FINALLY release their debut album.
Slakah The Beatchild
Quite a few of us have been following Toronto based singer, musician, producer Slakah The Beatchild since his his debut album “Soul Movements Vol. 1” which included a young Drake back in 2008. Since then Slakah has become one of the go to producers on the Toronto scene and has garnered a large fan based including legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff and 9th Wonder. All of 2013, he teased about the pending release of the long awaited Soul Movements 2 and in January, the wait will be over.
Kris Bowers
Pianist Kris Bowers has already made strides during his short stint in the industry including touring with singer Jose James and working with jazz veteran Marcus Miller and the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. Last year he was a featured artist on Next Collective’s Cover Art. Thanks to him winning first place in 2011 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, he’s secured a recording contract with Concord Music Group. His debut album Heroes + Misfits releases in March.
Duane Powell is an accomplished DJ and tastemaker. He is the owner of the Soundrotation brand. Feel free to reach via his facebook page.
