#PutYouOn: 10 Black Indie/Alternative Artists You Need to Be Listening To
These are some artists I've been enjoying lately and think you should be enjoying too. Tasting Platter Playlist at the beginning to listen to all songs mentioned as you read.
A majority of the complaints I hear about male musicians these days revolve around their lack of effort when it comes to the development of a creative concept for their rollouts and performances. And to that, I say, you may just have to do some digging, because there are guys out here giving us narrative, costume, theatrics, the works. Duckwrth is one such artist. Jared Leanoard Lee, known by his stage name Duckwrth, is a genre contortionist, stretching from rap and R&B to neo soul and funk, effortlessly.
In his latest project All American F⭐ckBoy (2025), he dives headfirst into genres such as pop punk, rock, and alternative pop. With skits narrated by LaKeith Stanfield, the album follows the character Hurricane Jim as he cheats on women, embarks on drinking binges, gets caught, and must ultimately face himself and interrogate the root of his self-destructive issues. It’s an immersive narrative album with danceable bangers as well as contemplative reflections set to sparse production. It’s an all-around good time.
After losing a member from the original trio grouptherapy., the remaining members Jada Grace and Swim, have reemerged as the rap duo PARTYOF2. Despite the grief that comes with unexpectedly losing a friend, they’re not allowing that to be the end of their story. With this being said, I still believe (and I think they’d agree), the backlog discography is absolutely worth diving into. Regardless of how one chapter ended, that is still a body of creative risk-taking that deserves to be celebrated—i was mature for my age but i was still a child is still one of my favorite albums of all time.
This duo not only approaches production and lyricism with reckless joy and bold confidence, it’s evident that they have a clear vision for how they market themselves. This is most apparent in their distinct style (matching blonde hair, suits and ties, pink and blue to represent the co-ed makeup of the group) and cinematic music videos, which they have an influential hand in creative directing. The video for “poser,” off their “re-debut” ep we owe you an explanation (2025), has been going viral for this very reason. They may have hit a road bump, but their foot is on the gas pedal and if I were you, I’d hop in the whip before you miss the ride.
I first heard of this twenty-year-old Black trans artist when I saw a Duckwrth interview. He was asked what alternative artists he was loving lately and he mentioned Portraits of Tracy. Hailing from the South, self-taught producer and multi-instrumentalist Tracy Amare dropped their latest album Drive Home in 2023.
With clear influences from Steve Lacy, Tyler the Creator, and Gorillaz, Tracy carves her own sonic path with a sprawling narrative album interspersed with skits that feature various voice actors. In this way, the album feels more like the soundtrack to a coming of age film as it follows protagonist Junie and reflects Tracy’s own “tumultuous journey of finding her voice and starting her own life as a Black, queer teen raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.” Genres range from classic rock and hip-hop to R&B, soul, and psychedelic indie rock with a whip-quick reflex and intuition, always accompanied by insightful lyricism. While the album has its fair share of stand-alone bangers, it’s definitely best experienced as a sequential, uninterrupted project.
UK-born singer-songwriter Joyce Cissé, known artistically as flowerovlove, is the youngest artist on this list at just 19-years-old. You’ve probably seen videos of her online frollicking around various cities in her fluffy fro and many many mini skirts, singing sweet, cheeky indie pop tunes. If Kilo Kish and hemlocke springs had a cute, preppy daughter, she’d be flowerovlove. The production and vocal delivery is definitely more commercially-appealing than her sonic lineage but the presentation is still soaked in carefree playfulness and youthful attitude.
Singles such as “BOYS” and “I’ve seen your ex” are definitely targeted toward a younger demographic. However, in an era where media catered to teens is more and more rare, she’s absolutely necessary. I would’ve been so happy to have her when I was in middle and high school. She also embraces the primadonna theatrics of performance in her music videos and public appearances, conjuring the spirit of Marina and the Diamonds and Lenka. There has yet to be an official debut album, so I am eager and ready to watch this journey unfold.
Alright, look, watching video essays is one of my favorite pastimes. However, what I can’t stand about the format and creators’ inevitable enslavement to the algorithm is the need to hyperbolize for views. I’ve seen many a video with titles insinuating the death of R&B, and I always want to scream that no genre ever dies, it evolves. One such artist leading the charge in the creative evolution of R&B is Kyle Dion.
I first heard the 31-year-old artist from New Haven, Connecticut when I came across his track “Cherry Blossom.” I was captivated by his heart-wrenching, drawn-out ache of his falsetto over the crooning, blues-esque guitar. The surrounding album SUGA (2019) feels just as lush and full of yearning, fulfilling hallmarks of the soul and R&B genres. While the traditional influences are honored, Dion also pushes boundaries by tossing other genres such as disco, funk, and dance pop in the soul soup. His lyrics also range from sincerely dramatic reflections on love and relationships to brazen, tongue-in-cheek humor. His album If These Jeans Could Talk (2024) was a favorite of last year, and his forthcoming LP Soular will drop on May 30 so I’m eager to have more music so soon.
Despite being listed as an alternative R&B artist online, Jae Stephens is always answering the bat signal when folks cry out for the next Black pop girlie. That was actually how I first discovered her: listed in a Twitter thread of underrated Black musicians. OP attached her latest hit at the time “Body Favors” and I was hooked on first listen. It’s sweet as candy with a sticky hook and an undeniable groove. Every element—the call-and-response post-chorus, the saccharine descending runs on the pre-chorus, the muffled percussion and neon dance synths—coalesce into an auditory treat you just can’t get enough of.
Like many phenomenal artists, Stephens hails from Dallas, Texas, though she’s now based in LA. Her first ep SELLOUT (2024) is a tight collection of six tracks that wears its late 90s-early 2000s influences on its sleeve. Her lyrics always feel like she’s winking directly at the hidden camera and this is most apparent in her latest single “SMH” (which stands for So Many Hoes). I’m a sucker for fresh spins on common acronyms and songs that treat men like a candy store (think: “Boys” by Lizzo, “I Like Him” by Princess Nokia, and “Boys” by Charli XCX). So far, there’s been no official word about a debut album but I’m sure it’ll be on the horizon soon.
Out of all the folks on this list, I came across Destin Conrad most recently because I saw a post announcing his collaboration with Teezo Touchdown (another alternative artist you should check out if you haven’t). They joined forces on the single “THE LAST TIME” from Destin’s then upcoming album LOVE ON DIGITAL (2025). Since dropping on April 25, I’ve had the LP on repeat for its immaculate late night summer vibes.
To expand on the famous Issa Rae quote, “I’m rooting for everybody Black” and gay. The 24-year-old, Tampa-born R&B singer-songwriter’s queer identity plays a heavy role in the music, especially on tracks such as “SOFT SIDE” and “DELUSIONAL.” The entire project is mellow, soundtracking that part of the pool party when it’s late and you’re drunk off both the tequila sunrises and the blaze of the setting sun. It’s locking eyes with a stranger on the dance floor and time slowing down. It’s the kind of summer I want to have. It’s the kind of summer we all deserve.
You probably know Durand Bernarr from his iconic Tiny Desk performance where he dressed as musical aficionado Uncle Bobby from The Proud Family. There’s a special place in my heart for talented musicians with killer senses of humor and Bernarr fits that bill to a tee. While his impeccable, gospel-grown vocals earned him a consistent spot as a backup singer for neo-soul legend Erykah Badu, his solo work more than stands on its own.
The 36-year-old singer-songwriter and producer from Cleveland, OH injects any genre with a hardy triple-helping of soul. Listening to a Durand Bernarr song always makes me want to race up aisles and between church pews, shouting and throwing my hands to the rafters. Whether he’s discussing dating as a gay man or expressing gratitude for the journey so far, his music has a way of yanking a smile from the deepest part of me. He’s like that dope older cousin who offers advice because they’ve been where you’ve been but also knows how to laugh at life. Just go listen to “FLOUNCE” off his latest album BLOOM (2025) to experience what I mean.
According to streams (that ever-fickle metric), New York-native Raydeo is the most underrated artist on this list. I believe I also first heard of him by way of Duckwrth’s recommendation, which is noteworthy because Duckwrth is listed as an inspiration on Raydeo’s website. I can hear the influence mainly in the choice of instrumentals he raps over and the playful wit of his bars. There’s a palpable electric energy embedded in the music that makes my ears perk up like antennas.
I checked out his latest album I Be Sad Too (2024) and was captivated by the crisp delivery, clever wordplay, and insightful, vulnerable storytelling. The 26-year-old rapper bares his soul in a confessional style akin to tobi lou or more recent Tyler, the Creator. The production often leans toward soul and jazz, like it’s inviting the listener in for a smoke session on the couch where y’all chat about how you’re really doing. Despite the majority of the tracks displaying gut-wrenching honesty, others highlight his love of the art of rap and an optimistic outlook despite life’s challenges.
If you wish Cleo Soul had a little more drum and bass in her music, I highly recommend Amber Mark. The 31-year-old singer-songwriter and producer hails from Tennessee and has been dropping music since 2017. While she explores themes of identity, self-reflection, and spirituality, she’s also no stranger to a glamorous night out. This dichotomy is especially present on her last album Three Dimensions Deep (2022) and her latest EP Loosies (2024), both of which I still have on repeat.
Blending contemporary R&B, hip hop, soul, and bossa nova, I can’t help but dance through this entire work. The lyrics throughout boast a flirtatious edge with a courage that comes from being three drinks in and stumbling to a third location past 2 a.m., like on bouncy tracks such as “Wait So Yeah” and “City Starlight.” The seduction factor is also bolstered by Mark’s full, smooth, at-times husky vocals. Her poetic, reflective writing style is evocative and vivid and remains fresh no matter how many times I listen.