On the rise
Exploring three fairly new music groups that have begun gaining exposure
These groups bring a new style to entertainment.
Graphic by Madisyn Signal, Staff Writer
Nikki Skyer, Sports Editor, and Madisyn Signal, Staff Writer
Music has been around for over 35,000 years, categorized by different genres, artists, and moods. Since then it hasn’t been easy to be recognized in the music industry. Talented people are not getting the attention they deserve because the music industry is competitive and oversaturated in nature and these people need to be acknowledged. It is time for a different generation to bring something new to music. Upcoming artists, such as Inner Wave, Jhene Aiko, and Mulatto, are making their way to the top with many hit albums and songs. Making it to the top of the music pyramid is not only an ongoing competition but it is also a very stressful and difficult process. By ignoring the talent these artists have causes their hard work to go to waste and talent continues to be unrecognized. Not to mention launching your music career is not easy either, its hard for artists to be recognized when known talent overshadows theirs.
Jhené Aiko, a rising singer/songwriter, seized the opportunity to contribute vocals to the R&B group B2K, which was a stepping stone in launching her music career. She was born Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo and grew up in Los Angeles. In 2012, Aiko’s brother, Miyagi, passed away from brain cancer. Aiko, only 20 at the time, had recorded a song titled “For my Brother” which he was able to listen to shortly before his passing. Aiko finds inspiration through her brother to defy industry stereotypes, being a female rapper among other things. Aiko also refused her managers several times when they told her to “sell herself”, resulting in bigger accomplishments than she would have ever achieved if she listened to them. Aiko’s music style is best described as alternative R&B or hip hop, and some of her most famous songs include “Triggered” and “None of your Concern”. Aiko continues to find success in unlikely places and has big plans ahead of her.
Alyssa Michelle Stephens, better known as “Mulatto” in the hip hop world, is a young and powerful American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Stephens, currently best known for being an inaugural winner of the Lifetime series “Rap Game”, has had several hit songs since officially starting her career at age 16. Stephens fell in love with rap when she was only 10, when she would practice her rapping skills after school every day. The cover for her well-known song, “No Hook” features a photo of her younger self, which is a reference to when she discovered her talent and passion. Stephens was born in Columbus, Ohio, but grew up on the south side of Atlanta. She credits her upbringing and environment for what she has come to achieve. Being only 21, the possibilities are endless for the future of Mulatto’s career.
The five-member band known as “Inner Wave” produces their own unique style of music, which they refer to as a “bright, experimental mix of psych-pop and synthwave”. The band is currently made up of three best friends who started their music careers together, and a keyboardist and drummer who joined the group in 2016. The original group began learning how to produce music in Los Angeles in 2006, finding inspiration in other bands such as “Arctic Monkeys” and “The Strokes”. The group finally gained traction in 2018, and have since toured and created many hit songs and albums. Their music features a combination of each members’cultures, drawing from Filipino, Colombian, and Mexican heritage. Their most well-known songs include “American Spirits” and “Eclipse”, which are representative of their close friendship and love for music.
These three talented artists deserve recognition. Jhene Aiko, Mulatto, and the music group Inner Wave bring a new spice to music and have more to show for it. Competing in the music industry is not easy but these artists can manage to find their way through it with their incredible talent. Hopefully, they will break through further and make their talents acknowledged. People need to discover these artists and invest in their music to see how good and passionate they truly are about their work. These artists have been making music since they were little, and such hard work and dedication can continue to grow with greater recognition; their talent in music will be boundless if further cultivated by the appreciation of others.
