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23 Year Old Bronx Singer Samara Joy Wins “Best New Artist” at The Grammys!

Art Soul

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Hailing from the Bronx New York and raised in Philly, Samara Joy’s new career has been catapulting like a rocket ship! As of yesterday, at only 23 years old Samara is now the winner of two Grammy awards: “Best New Artist” and “Best New Jazz Vocal Album” for her latest project “Linger Awhile”.

The singer comes from a legacy of music and a strong background in both Gospel and Jazz. Her paternal grandparents, Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, sang in the famous soul gospel Philadelphia group, The Savettes. Joy’s father is Antonio McLendon, a singer and bassist who toured for years with another gospel star, Andraé Crouch.

In 2020, a viral Facebook video of Joy singng Ella Fitzgerald’s “Take Love Easy” as a thank you for receiving the Ella Fitzgerald Scholarship in 2020 while a student at State University of New York at Purchase led to her receiving a record deal. Her viral video caught the attention of actors like LaKeith Stanfield and Regina King, the latter of whom credits Joy’s music with helping her get through the pandemic.

“I discovered a young woman who just seems like Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald are both living in her body,” King said during a directors roundtable two years ago for The Hollywood Reporter. “When I watch her and listen to her… her name is Samara Joy and it brings me joy.”

Joy’s voice is “other-worldly”

There are few other ways to describe it. Samara embodies a sound of the past echoing all of the jazz greats from Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sara Vaughan and more. The ArtSoul staff has been following Samara for a couple years now. At first listen, it was clear that she is the future of jazz bringing in both a new younger and older audience of the genre that is quickly becoming enamored by her talent as she re-introduces songs like “Can’t Get Out of This Mood”, “Guess Who I Saw Today”, “Someone To Watch Over Me and More”.

What happens when a 23 year old beauty from the Bronx brings back classic jazz standards? Apparently Tik Tok goes crazy!

In addition to going viral on Facebook where she was originally discovered during the pandemic, Joy has continued to go viral on Instagram and Tik Tok. In addition to growing new listeners to her music, new remixes of Joy’s songs have also been popping up from young Gospel and Jazz fans and musicians such as Producer and YouTube/IG&TikTok sensation Yaahn Hunter Jr who created a Chill Hip Hop infused version of Joy’s single “Can’t Get Out of This Mood” which is still trending on Tik Tok. Listen below…

The video below left many wondering if Samara was lip singing! But, as she has proved live on TikTok from her room and all the way to Paris, France on tour, Samara continues to show us all that she is the real deal!

@samarajoysings just in time for fall 🎃 stream Sweet Pumpkin everywhere! #sweetpumpkin #singing #singing #jazz #jazztok #sarahvaughan #acapella #hotelroom #travel #traveltok #ontheroad #tour ♬ Sweet Pumpkin – Samara Joy

Samara Is Hitting The Road Again On Tour!

We are excited to watch Samara Joy’s career continue to thrive as she continues to grow and leave audiences in awe. If you have never seen her live, do yourself a favor and show up to one of the stops on her current tour beginning February 11th through September 11th.

Find full details for the tour here: www.samarajoy.com


MORE MUSIC FROM SAMARA JOY

ArtSoul Radio is a 24/7, online Christian Radio Station and Entertainment news site promoting new and diverse sounds in Christian music! We highlight both indie and mainstream artists in Contemporary Gospel, Pop, Soul, Hip-Hop, Alternative, and Spoken Word Poetry.

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ArtSoul Spotlight

Hulvey and Ciara Announce “Altar” Remix Releasing This Friday!

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Hulvey announced on Instagram today that he will be releasing a surprise remix of his single “Altar” with the Ciara! This was unexpected, but we’re here for it!

On Easter, April 1st of this year, Hip Hop artist Hulvey received the surprise of his life when Ciara and her Husband Russel posted a clip of her family celebrating Easter using his song “Altar” in the background. Who knew that this would have led to the release of a new remix of the single together! Did this come as a surprise to you as much as it did for us?

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Legendary Producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins Launches New Christian Music Label Alienz Alive!

Tamara Young McCoy

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Legendary Producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins recently announced the official launch of his new label “Alienz Alive”! His starting roster for this faith based label includes some of the hottest names in CHH and Christian R&B/Soul music: Gawvi, Jonkeith, Alex Jean, Imrsqd and TJCarroll.

Darkchild’s Production credits include a number of celebrity greats such as Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Justin Beiber, Whitney Houston, Brandy and too many more to name! And according to his vision, he is looking to bring that same diversity of sound to his new label. Speaking of the label’s direction of sound, Jerkins shared, “Sonically speaking the influences are Hip Hop, R&B, and Indie Rock. As long as it glorifies God and it’s dope, all are welcome.”

While many are surprised by a mainstream producer of this calliber creating a faith based label, others who have followed his career know that he has been both Gospel and “CHH” adjacent for years. Jerkins who rapped in church as a child and was featured in Kirk Franklin’s song “Revolution” reflects on launching a company that aligns with his faith describing it as a full circle moment:

“When I first thought about launching a new company, I knew I had to do something that reflected my faith. What’s crazy, and people might not know this; I was rapping in church as a kid. I was also featured on Kirk Franklin’s Revolution so this is a full circle moment for me because now I’m doing something revolutionary by launching this label. Alienz Alive is a collaborative community of creatives that are Christ-centered where artist development is key. We encourage our artists to use their gifts to uplift and inspire. Sonically speaking the influences are Hip Hop, R&B, and Indie Rock. As long as it glorifies God and it’s dope, all are welcome.”

There is a lot of new movement in the music industry right now that is bringing more attention than ever to Christian music as more mainstream labels, producers and more are entering this space. Let us know your thoughts about it all on IG! Join the conversation!

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Culture

Reflecting On The 1st Black Women to Own An NFL Team: Venus And Serena Are Still Winning

Tamara Young McCoy

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As part of ArtSoul Radio’s 365 Initiative to support Black & BIPOC-owned businesses throughout the year, this is a story worth reviewing.

In 2009, Venus and Serena Williams became minority owners of the Miami Dolphins, making them the first Black women to own an NFL franchise. Since then, the growth of their investment has been remarkable. In 2009, the Dolphins were valued at 1 billion dollars. By 2023, 14 years later, the Miami Dolphins were valued at 4.6 billion dollars.

Despite the fact that 70% of the league’s players are Black, the majority of NFL ownership remains white. However, Venus and Serena became the first Black women to own an NFL team, creating a pathway for others to follow. Following their lead, Mellody Hobson became the third Black woman to become a minority team owner in 2022. Lewis Hamilton and Condoleezza Rice joined the list when they purchased a stake in the Denver Broncos. In 2023, Magic Johnson became a minority owner of the Washington Commanders.

Venus and Serena Williams are true trailblazers! Forbes reported in 2022 that Venus was the second highest-paid female athlete. Their investment in the Miami Dolphins, in partnership, is not only changing the investment landscape but also breaking barriers both on and off the court.

Their success in business complements their legendary status in tennis. Their investment in the Miami Dolphins is just one example of how they are reshaping the investment landscape. It’s inspiring to see them use their platform and influence to make an impact beyond tennis!

With their track record, their investment is bound to yield excellent results. It’s only a matter of time before we see the first Black majority owner of an NFL team.

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