broken/x/mirrors 2

Broken mirrors aims to showcase the music of up and coming talent by drawing comparison to similar musical frameworks from more established artists. This is not attempt to accuse imitation nor proclaiming a lack of originality or uniqueness within the artists compared, but rather a means to use more well-known artists as reference points to disseminate music from budding artists across genres.

Post Malone /x/ Steven Moses

Despite still being a teenager, Steven Moses could not have found a better time to make his entrance into the music scene. With a sound that infuses the abrasiveness of hip-hop instrumentation, the moodiness of R and B and the angst of rock vocals, the multi-instrumentalist has become one of the newest talents within the musical genre made famous by Post Malone. Moses differentiates himself from the Texas Superstar by putting forth a more somber tone to his music, similar to the late Lil Peep. Moses also embraces the hegemony of the modern white rockstar represented by Peep and Post with a sadboy persona and tattoo covered face. However, Moses is far more than a trendy aesthetic and is at the brink of superstardom.

Song Recommendation: Leave Me

Young Thug /x/ Lil Keed

Young Thug is notorious for signing artists with a similar sound to his YSL conglomerate and Lil Keed is no different. With melodic high-pitched vocals, Keed walks the line between rapping and signing that Thug has made famous. However, Keed brings a youthful exuberance to the table that Thug has lost of the years in pursuit of more experimental tracks. The 20-year-old Atlanta starlight (who hails from the same zone 3 apartment complex as Young Thug) has the potential to break through the oversaturated ATL rap scene and propel himself into stardom similarly to fellow YSL artist Gunna.

Song Recommendation: Nameless

Chance the Rapper/x/ Supa Bwe

Supa Bwe has been well known within the Chicago rap community for years appearing on tracks with Taylor Bennett, Mick Jenkins, and Saba. Supa Bwe is actually the first artist featured on this platform to make an appearance on a track with their fellow broken mirror (Chance the Rapper- Wala Cam). Supa Bwe is most similar to Chance when he uses his playful, almost offbeat “Chicago Flow” made famous by Chance, but also utilized currently by rapper Taylor Bennet and in the past by Vic Mensa. However, similar to Chance, Bwe’s sound is far more complex than lackadaisical flows. Bwe embraces a wide range of rapping patterns and has showcased impressive vocal range, making him a jack of all trades within the hip hop scene.

Song Recommendation: Bag Bwe

Miguel /x/ Kyle Dion

As Miguel has catapulted into stardom over the last 8 years he has transitioned away from his sultry R&B background into a more mainstream sound. However, Kyle Dion, a 23-year-old Connecticut based R&B artists remains true to the steamy sound that catapulted Miguel into fame. Dion possesses some of the best pure vocal talent of current artists, however, he does not solely rely on his range to carry his music. Dion infuses his modern R&B sound with 70’s and 80’s jazz creating luscious tracks that differentiates himself from most modern artists. Coupled with his Prince inspired aesthetic it is no surprise that Dion has the ability to make timeless music.

Song Recommendation: Brown

Bon Iver /x/ Novo Amor

Bon Iver and Novo Amor share much more that names that could by restaurants on the lower-east side. These artists both make some of the best tracks within the ever-burgeoning indie-folk genre today. The welsh instrumentalist, couples his restrained vocals with immensely deep production which makes the work of Amor some of the most nuanced today. And while in recent years Bon Iver has pursued a more experimental route within his music, Amor has remained steadfast to his sound, asserting himself as one of the most skilled artists within his genre.

Song Recommendation: Carry You