KAMAUU

Washington, D.C. native Kamau could be referred to as a singer and rapper, but his inclination for sound play as much as word play -- inspired by African music, doo wop, and hip-hop -- demonstrates that he's a vocalist more so than either specific distinction. The productions that support his voice likewise defy easy categorization. No Wyld's Ascension EP, released in 2015, was the first major recording on which Kamau was heard. The following year, he contributed "The Icarus" to The Birth of a Nation: The Music Inspired by Album, appeared on No Wyld's Nomads, and released a handful of singles, as well as the six-track A Gorgeous Fortune EP. A full-length set entitled The KAMAU-CASSETTE: ŭRTH GōLD arrived in 2017, and included the tender single "MĭNT." ~ Andy Kellman