When Kwasi Brown hosted Black Nerd Mafia’s first live performance at Curiosity Espresso Bar two years in the past, it spawned a motion to advertise unbiased artists in Columbia, significantly for Black creatives.
“There’s a lot expertise right here and we don’t must go to Charlotte or Atlanta or New York,” Brown advised Free Instances in November. “We simply promote the individuals now we have, who individuals don’t even find out about. Fairly frankly, for those who guys have been doing all of your job, individuals would find out about these (artists).”
Brown invests within the indie artist group by means of live shows, occasions and The Cool Desk, an invite-only collective of creatives who function assist and sources for one another of their inventive endeavors.
The group’s motto is “energy in numbers.”
Brown walked Free Instances by means of the Cool Desk’s members, all of whom are unbiased artists in Columbia he desires y’all to take a look at:
Tam the Viibe
A rapper and hip-hop artist, Tam the Viibe has been performing in Columbia greater than 20 years. Comply with her on Instagram @tamtheviibe
Ija Monet
You have most likely seen an Ija Monet mural whereas driving by means of Columbia. Monet’s art work is an explosion of shade and sentiment. Comply with her on Instagram @ijah_monet
Milah
A rapper, singer and songwriter, Milah has put out a number of albums from her homebase in Columbia. Comply with her on Instagram @beenmilah
Aisa Blue
An artist and spoken-word poet, Aisa Blue is a Columbia native who expresses her artistry by means of of myriad of artforms. Comply with her on Instagram @_thoughtsinblue
Eezy Olah
Eezy Olah is a rapper and musician steeped in soul and primarily based in Columbia. He performs commonly round city. Catch him on Instagram @eezyolah, although he is on a social media break in the intervening time.
J.B. SamSon
A rapper, artist and singer, J.B. SamSon performs commonly round city, together with Uncle Fester’s Final Name’s Hip-Hop Showcases and, not too long ago, on the South Carolina State Honest. Comply with him on Instagram @jbsamson.music.official
Darius Dior
Darius Dior is a Christ-centered artist who additionally runs his personal video manufacturing firm, Pondering Kingdom. Discover him on Instagram @thinkingkingdom
Yyusri
A musician and an illustrator, Yyusir’s animated model of pop artwork is vibrant and fashionable. Discover him on Instagram @_yyusri_
Demise Ray Robin
Desiree Richards is a neighborhood musician who performs within the band Say Femme, however her solo challenge, Demise Ray Robin, combines her silky, soulful vocals with a rock/pop sound. Discover her on Instagram @deathrayrobin
Airborne Audio
One in every of a choose variety of producers on the town, Airborne Audio works with rap and hip-hop artists within the Columbia music scene. He is additionally one half of the duo Black Cooks. Comply with him on Instagram @airborneaudio
Kenya Spinz
Kenya Spinz is a neighborhood producer and DJ who combines nostalgic throwbacks with a vibey sound. Catch her on Instagram @kenyaspinz
Corey Stone
A saxophonist and musicians, Stone’s music has a jazzy sound with R&B influences. He performs gigs round city commonly, so comply with him on Instagram @musically_stoned
PATx
A real Renaissance man, PATx is a another rapper, producer, songwriter and a professor at Benedict Faculty. He not too long ago labored with ONE Columbia to provide a Lo-Fi remix for the town. He is on Instagram @iampatx