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Photo: Andre Shipp
Too often, we find ourselves praising those we admire only after theyâre no longer with us. Whether that takes the form of a âlong-liveâ post on Instagram, remembering someone in conversation with others or something else, the people we love sometimes donât get to hear these kind words in person.Â
Nashville native Quez Cantrell, who we recognized as Best Hip-Hop Newcomer in Best of Nashville 2020, explores this idea in âFlowers,â a track released last week. The song is a collective effort from Cantrell, fellow local rapper D.O.U.G.H., producer Chris King, and Houston singer Bee Honey, who contributes ethereal and melodic vocals.
Year in Music 2020 We talk with Kyshona Armstrong, Lilly Hiatt and Becca Mancari, count down the yearâs top local albums and much more Dec 17, 2020 5 AM Tweet Share
Itâs been very easy to feel overwhelmed in 2020, when it seems like the rules get rewritten every day â by a global pandemic, a long-overdue public conversation about systemic racism and more. But faced with an industry and a society undergoing all kinds of turbulence, musicians and business folk across Nashvilleâs constellation of music scenes responded with ingenuity and compassion. Even though thereâs still much work to be done, thereâs a great deal to take away from this extraordinary year â and to be proud of. In our Year in Music issue, we get perspective from outstanding musicians Kyshona Armstrong, Lilly Hiatt and Becca Mancari; our critics take stock of the yearâs top local albums; we hand the mic to an array of singers, songwrit
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Brian BrownPhoto: Justin Causey Despite the unprecedented difficulties that the music industry has faced in 2020, it’s been one of the best years Nashville hip-hop has seen yet. We’ve seen key releases from major players, impressive debuts by up-and-comers and increased attention from national fans and tastemakers, making for an exciting year when it could’ve been anything but. One of the earliest key hip-hop releases this year was
Journey, the highly anticipated debut full-length album from East Side native Brian Brown.
Journey came in at No. 10 on
Scene critics’ list of the best local albums, and it shows Brown to be as skilled over the long haul of an LP as he is on singles and features. He can tackle thorny topics (“A Cashville Story,” “Flava”), wax introspective (“The Release Pt. 2”) and serve up inspiration (“Journey”) in less than 40 minutes.