The Nation is Talking About Memphis

What a difference a year makes. Last October, Bailey Bigger released her debut EP, Between the Pages, on Blue Tom Records (the label run by the University of Memphis), and certainly her skills as a songwriter and vocalist were obvious. Her unaffected alto, reminiscent of Buffy Sainte-Marie, was the perfect vehicle for her simple, deft turns…

Putting her own spin on soul with her melodic prowess is newcomer KIRBY with new single “Superpower”. With a head-bop worthy bassline and vocals that’ll have you belting out your own version, KIRBY effortlessly blends gospel-tinged pianos with contemporary R&B rhythms for a nostalgic feel-good tune. Featuring Rhytmn + Flow winner D Smoke, tune radiates melanin and…

South African DJ Black Coffee has teamed up with Pharrell and Jozzy for the new single “10 Missed Calls” off of his upcoming album Subconsciously. “To have both Pharrell Williams and Jozzy on a record with me and a part of my album project is an honour,” Black Coffee said in a statement. “They are two…

Original Stax Records songwriter David Porter and 20-year business and legal veteran Tony ­Alexander launched their entertainment company, Made in Memphis Entertainment (MIME), in April 2015. Alexander quickly realized that in order for the independent label MIME Records to succeed, the co-founders would need to create some additional revenue streams.

A handful of Memphis and Mid-South musicians — including R&B vocalist Don Bryant, venerable bluesman Bobby Rush and roots rock band North Mississippi Allstars — are among those nominated for 2021 Grammy awards. The nominations for the 63rd annual Grammys were announced Tuesday morning during a virtual event led by interim Grammy president Harvey Mason Jr.,…