![Eva Davenport](https://s3.sonicbids.com/image/band/579365/5feb979d303b3584ec133a93_jpg_250x250.jpg)
Eva Davenport
Boston, Massachusetts, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2017
Music
Press
Weâre always happy to celebrate the success of an NFM artist! Up-and-coming Massachusetts singer-songwriter Eva Davenport was just nominated for two Boston Music Awards, a goal of herâs âsince the beginningâ she tells us. You may remember our review of her recent single titled âTrillâ, an R&B single everybody can relate to. Take a quick second to vote Eva Davenport for Vocalist of the Year and R&B Artist of the Year here. Check out her latest single âTrillâ below. - NFM Team
Eva Davenport is the Boston based R&B singer making a big name for herself in the Massachusetts scene, thanks to her prolific high energy shows and deeply soulful music. She released her debut EP âLetters To Selfâ in August of 2019 and has since been busy gaining a loyal fanbase that spans different continents. Sheâs now returned with her newest musical offering in the form of single âTrillâ which fuses elements of R&B, hip-hop and soul. We spoke to Eva about the release of the new single and what music means to her.
What drew you to music and how did you get into it?
My mom and dad love music and my mother sang all through out her pregnancy with me. My dad always says I was born singing and my mom tells the story of 3-year-old me jumping on stage to dance with the horn section at the reggae festival so often I feel like that little girl to this day. My family has always supported my passions! Music became serious for me at a young age. I started singing in elementary school chorus and asked for voice lessons for my birthday in 4th grade with the RI philharmonic. For years I did music summer camps, talent shows, competitions and voice lessons. In high school I joined a girl group that wrote and recorded original R&B/ pop/ gospel music and toured from the East to West coast. We performed mainly all over RI for non-profit and community events, even at prestigious events like the Jeffrey Osborne Celebrity Golf Tournament 2012 & 2013. In 2014 I was accepted to Berklee with a talent scholarship and attended for 2 years making connections which led to working as a professional vocalist singing for over 15 different bands in Boston from 70âs funk & disco to rock n roll to top hits 50s â today to 90âs/ 200s R&B and more! Iâve truly enjoyed learning and performing so many different types of music and can appreciate and admire something in every genre.
In 2017 I started a band and began booking gigs; branching off in 2018 to manage and book myself as a solo artist. Now Iâm living that dream, working as a performing/ recording artist under Eva Davenport Music. Itâs a happy challenge because although Iâm wearing many hats I love every step of the journey and feel fulfilled to know the steps it took to get to inner-success. Every show and release is better than the last. And every year is more successful.How would you describe your sound?
My sound is soulful in every essence. Heavily R&B influenced and lyrically influential. I am inspired by the consciousness of India Arie, the honesty of Stevie Wonder, the rawness of Alicia Keys and the power and versatility of Beyonce.
I love R&B, soul, funk, hip-hop, jazz, pop, blues, neo-soul, blues, musical theatre, classical, gospel and more!
Whatâs the creative process behind a song? Do you look for inspiration or do they just come to you?
My songwriting creative process is always initially writing to a beat, recording a melodic idea with lyrics OR writing down a simple idea to write about later. Inspiration comes by thinking positively and manifesting what I want! Attending events, supporting artists, watching new music videos and listening to conscious songs truly inspires me to create. Also being around amazing people. Healthy mind, soul and spirit.
Who are some of your biggest influences?
My mom and dad! My auntie and gramma and entire family! My teachers in life and friends and guardians who have truly cared; Mrs. Chabot, Eleanor and Thawn, Papi Xampeux, Pauline, Sassy & Borderline, Mrs. Melchar, Amanda Shea, Mrs. Vince, and more †Local artists and groups whoâve truly inspired me, Red Shaydez, Oompa, Feel it Speak it, DJ WhySham X Brandie Blaze, Ava Sophia, Sam & DAP, The Jungle, Aaron King & BridgeSide Cypher, The LABS, and more! And global artists who inspire me; India Arie, Kehlani, Tamia, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, Etta James, Wicked, Jojo, Lauryn Hill, SZA, HER, Summer Walker, Mary J Blidge, Erykah Badu, to name a few.
If you could be support act for any artists who would it be and why?
Beyonce, because if I could be supporting act for ANY artist Iâm taking advantage of the biggest opportunity possible and she is one of my idols.
Favourite concert youâve been to?
Oompaâs sold out release show at the Sinclair in Boston last year was my favorite! 1. Because it was INCREDIBLE. 2. Seeing an artist I knew do something THAT amazing as an independent artist confirmed possibilities are limitless. And 3. I had the honor of preforming a debut song on stage with Red Shaydez off her newest album âFeeling the Auraâ
Favourite show youâve played?
This is very hard but my favorite show has to be my self-produced EP Release Show at the Mad Music Mill in Dorchester on my birthday last summer. But singing âGod Bless Americaâ at Fenway Park for the Red Sox vs. Yankeeâs game in front of thousands of people last year definitely comes in close second!!
What will it be like playing that first show once shows are allowed again?
Magical! I was onstage 2-4 times a week before the pandemic so I will feel at home again and blessed!
Thankfully I was able to sing live last month for the first historical Juneteenth Celebration in Salem, MA. And have participated and curated online events i.e. (ARtz Online, Activating Artivism, Good Music Showcase, Mindful Womenâs Tribe Block Party) during this time to raise money and awareness for supporting the arts, people of color and self-care.
Any future musical plans after the new single?
Absolutely! My year anniversary for the âLetterâs to Selfâ EP is coming up next month so definitely be on the lookout for some dope visual releases by myself and my partner Papi Xampeux. ALSO new music off the soon to be announced project featuring âTrillâ is coming soon! Follow my SoundCloud and mailing list for information on special releases!
Where would you like to be in a years time?
A year from today Iâd like to be traveling and performing worldwide. Iâd like to know people from all over and share music with them! Iâd love to travel to my fans in Saint Lucia and Belgium and put on shows with them! I want to have continued releasing music and products and collaborating with amazing people and artists and I will make all of this happen!
If people want to find out more about you where should they go?
Thanks for asking and reading!! Love to all of you! Please follow me on social media for fun day to day updates -> https://www.instagram.com/lyricsbyeva | https://www.facebook/com/evadavenportmusic/ | https://www.twitter.com/lyricsbyeva/
You can find out the most about my music and subscribe to my fan email list on my website https://www.evadavenportmusic.com
And click here for quick links to my music, videos, interviews, publications and more! https://linktr.ee/Lyricsbyeva - JAMES PEARSON
Whenever inspiration comes knocking, Eva Davenport doesnât ask questions.
Holed up in quarantine, the Boston R&B singer felt the winds of fate push her towards unlocking new music on her laptop as a means of reconnecting with her friends, fans, and family. As a result, today sheâs releasing a sultry single that otherwise might not have surfaced for ages.
Acting on sheer creative instinct, Davenport shares her song âTrillâ this afternoon (July 14) via a virtual release party on Instagram and Facebook.
âI usually do most everything by feeling â something bigger than me, outside of myself gives me the thought that itâs time to release music and shows me what to release,â she tells Vanyaland.
Initially intended to be part of a different, forthcoming project, âTrillâ was written and recorded in late 2018, but remained under wraps as Davenport promoted last yearâs deeply introspective opus Letters To Self.
Her approach for the new track flips the script entirely; Letters To Self was a more mental endeavor, but âTrillâ is purely a âskin-to-skinâ jam. Both are inviting, and both convey a release of sorts, but this time around, Davenportâs outpouring of love only faces outward.
ââTrillâ is definitely a different side of me â in my debut EP Letters To Self the goal was to introduce myself to the world and share whatâs closest to my soul: Music, love, and inspiring others to follow their own passions,â she explains. âThis release came early as a part of a bigger project and features a sensual side that instead of self-love talks about searching and finding love⊠Throughout my career I want to share all of my thoughts and beliefs in a conscious, relatable way. This track is the sexy way of saying âIâm falling for you.ââ
Tune in to âTrillâ and peep all the details for Davenportâs virtual release party below. - Victoria Wasylak
For Eva Davenport, there was only one thing more important than making her formal introduction to the world: Making that introduction in the form of her thriving adult self.
After scribbling down her life and times in notebooks for 20-plus years, the Rhode Island-based R&B artist took a deep dive in her reflecting pool to prepare for her debut EPÂ Letters to Self, out this week. The result is 100 percent Davenportâs mature self-realization, with none of the love-driven drama that singer-songwriters often lean on when making their debut. âLessonâ in particular reads like a page ripped from an early diary entry, while EP opener âHandle Itâ with Red Shaydez transcribes her early-morning mantra for clearing her headspace. The whole package plays like a mini self-care kit, disguised as something far cooler.
âI have a crazy amount of notebooks and have been writing songs since I learned how to use a pen,â she tells Vanyaland. âFor my first project I had to share my true self. I chose to leave out all the love songs and focus inward on self-discovery, self-love, and ultimately my true purpose; to inspire those who hear my music and see my journey to never give up on their own goals and passions. Letters To Self is exactly what these songs are.â
Written between May 2017 and March 2019, Davenport recorded the final version of the EP this past June with Wil Renderos at Audio Chemists in Everett. The release party on Friday (August 30) at Bostonâs Mad Music Mill stacks fellow New England talent high, featuring sets from Vik Vendetta, Red Shaydez, Nancia, Alexander Padei, KAE, M.O.E., Tricia Reed, PRANAH, and Amanda Shea.
The variety reflects her already-established foothold in the community; just last June, she launched Artz Underground, a monthly Boston music series that also brings vendors and food into the equation. She hosts, curates, and promotes the whole operation solo, but largely touts the series as a collaboration for fellow creatives.
âI think itâs important for all curators to take a page from my book and not only shoutout and show love to those who assist, but also put on artists they care about, want to listen to and support, and are truly helping to grow,â Davenport shares.
Brick by brick, song by song, set by set, this mogulâs already well on her way to building a kingdom. Wait until you see how well she handles it. - Victoria Wasylak
Looking at Eva Davenportâs jam-packed virtual performance calendar, thereâs no doubt that this R&B singerâs as rock steady and focused on her vision as she was when she wrote her 2019 EP, Letters to Self. In the former Berklee studentâs track âHigh Like This,â she sings, âIâm working 9 to 5/ Getting my money right/ Hustle on the side/ Study with the grind/ 21 and when I sleep I wake up to flexing in my prime.â Now 23, Eva is already working on her next project with the release of her single, âTrill.â
Eva describes âTrillâ as a sexy R&B bop, written from a womanâs perspective of having strong feelings and allowing them to grow into something more. She recorded this song during the summer of 2018 at the same time as her debut single âBang Bang,â with Marco el Mago and DJ GI JOE. She kept it in her back pocket with plans to release it with her next full-length album. But as quarantine has gone on, she says, âI am finding it super difficult to connect with friends and fans.â She decided to thank her supporters âfor all theyâve done to encourage [her]â by privately releasing the track to her [Dreamcatchers] fan list ahead of the singleâs wider July 14th release.
Music has always been a peaceful way for Eva to share her thoughts and feelings with others, and vice versa. âMusic means happiness and understanding to me,â she says. âI turn to music anytime I am overwhelmed, upset, emotionally drained, happy, turninâ up. Music is truly the heartbeat of the world.â Letters to Self encompasses those true reasons for being an artist and introduces her mindset to the world. The tracks on that EP have a lot of inward reflection, stemming from the countless notebooks sheâs written in over the years.
When Allston Pudding asked her what she was planning on writing about next, she says, âI live to inspire through music and will continue to do so with inspirational songs, songs about growth, and love songs. Throughout my life, I want to write and sing about everything Iâve ever felt or experienced in a conscious way.â
Not only has Eva been performing in festivals like The Great Lockdown, fundraisers like Activating ARTivism, and an R&B Verses Battle with Nancia, sheâs been curating her own events too. Artz Online was a showcase featuring singing, DJ sets, dancing, live visual art, photography, poetry and more from local Boston-area artists. This idea stemmed from Evaâs 2019 summer series, Artz Underground, which âquickly became a consistently sold-out event with some of the most talented artists in Boston and beyond blessing the stages,â Eva says. âI believe one of the pros to having online events is really getting to hear the artist and see their facial expressions up close and personal AND in a laid-back comfortably performed way!â
Eva is a very emotionally evocative performer herself. Her soulful voice will make your heart ache, and her charming smile will pull your heart back together again.
Sign up for Eva Davenportâs mailing list to listen to âTrill,â out everywhere on July 14th. - Katie Ouellette
End-of-year lists are good for just two things: Remembering and reflecting. And neither sound enticing when glancing back at the still-raging Dumpster fire that is 2020. What is there to recap? What is there that anyone would want to recap? The answer ranges from ânothingâ to âvery little,â but in the case of Bostonâs excellence in the arts, plenty of projects are worth a thorough replay. While we already like to think of Vanyaland as an ever-evolving, year-round âbest of Bostonâ publication, weâve selected 20 of our favorite homegrown tracks released this year.
Austin Fair, âSPECTACULARâ
Austin Fair starts his song âSPECTACULARâ with a confession that should come as a shock to precisely no one. âHonestly this rap shit kinda easy,â he chides, spoken with a tone of true nonchalance, as he uses the one-liner to kick off his record PIONEER. And when Fair pumps out albums â really good albums â at his current, alarming pace, that impression of indifference isnât only warranted, itâs expected. Following his two 2019 albums (Hippodrome and Alumni) and two more projects from this year (the aforementioned PIONEER and Joyride), his confidence peaks with âSPECTACULAR.â That is, until his next effortâs excellence eventually dwarfs his work to date.
Ava Sophia (feat. Tashawn Taylor), âLove Languageâ
617Sessionsâ annual Sound of our Town albums have become the compilation for rising Boston artists to lock in new listeners, and Ava Sophia seized the opportunity with every syrupy ounce of her 2020 submission âLove Language.â Doe-eyed but powerfully direct, the Tashawn-Taylor-assisted track is a sultry plead to get on the same page and a bid to romantically rise to the occasion. Itâs an offer only a love-scorned cynic could turn down. Heart eyes, motherfucker.
Billy Dean Thomas (feat. Sânatra), âTrump vs. Bidenâ
It wouldnât have been overkill for Billy Dean Thomasâ tune âTrump vs. Bidenâ to just be three minutes of non-stop screaming. A close look at the year in politics and world events, this Thomas track from For Better or Worse examines a country that seemingly feeds on conflict: Riots, division, racial injustice, quarantine cabin fever, and, as the title suggests, an aggravating exhaustion of good options for leadership to turn anything around. To Thomasâ credit, though, the song never loses its cool; it just observes and weighs the odds. A modern tale of survival, âTrump Vs. Bidenâ is a first-person piece worth citing in future history books.
CakeSwagg, âFerb & Phineasâ
Itâs time to phone the (surely retired) creators of Inspector Gadget and tell them their catchphrase helped contribute to one of the yearâs most explosive rap songs. Even after centuries, one of the finest party tricks in the art world remains combining two wildly unrelated topics like itâs the most natural, obvious fusion on the planet. As such, CakeSwagg wins major creative props for transforming a roster of cartoon characters into a fierce set of bars, which does, in fact, include the fictional 1980s cyborg from a childrenâs show. In any other song itâd be a cute callback, but when CakeSwagg drops names, their stock rises ASAP. Yes, even for animated figments of our imagination. âWho got the juice? / I been had it,â CakeSwagg sings. âDuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh / Inspector Gadget!â
Cliff Notez and Dephrase (feat. Latrell James), âVoodoo Dollâ
âVoodoo Dollâ could have been an awkward song. On paper, it should have been an awkward song. It moves in bursts and hand-and-knees crawls, exalts its truth then crumples up in fatigue as a saxophone solo sets up an exit, drained after a tempo-change triathlon. But the collaboration between Cliff Notez, Dephrase, and Latrell James simply speaks to the age of chaos it was released in, sparking repetitive bouts mania and melancholy, not unlike the emotional cycles that much of the world has been ensnared in for nine months and counting. âYouâre a voodoo doll / You donât know who you are no more / Who you are no moreâ the fuzzed-out hook laments (either out of sympathy, or as a chastising cry, itâs unclear, but itâs still enough to provoke a teary-eyed reaction). A match made in heaven, a magnum opus, an emotional reckoning with your maker â call it what you want, but know âVoodoo Dollâ is among the very best songs released from Boston in 2020 A.D.
Eva Davenport, âTrillâ
Eva Davenportâs reputation in Boston is quickly erring on unproblematic and angel-voiced. Following her EP Letters To Self (which we last year dubbed âa mini self-care kit, disguised as something far coolerâ), her 2020 single âTrillâ keeps things copacetic with a no-frills serenade. Indulging in sticky-sweet R&B, Davenport dodges the chance to get explicit in favor of reciting lovestruck poetry that can only comes from a place of sincerity, lest it turn into an empty-calorie sugar rush. Truly, âTrillâ is a slice of conflict-free splendor that never spoils.
Gatch, âWide Openâ
A late contender in the ring, Gatchâs big-band funk number âWide Openâ easily sneaks itself onto our list. Itâs hard to describe the Arcitype-produced track as anything other than âgroovy,â but âwinkingâ serves as a close second; when the track waltzes from flirtatious into unabashed âcomes hitherâ territory, itâs winking all the way with a power that takes the backseat only to the trackâs saxophone solo. All the while, Gatch never utters a single unsavory word or phrase, earning it the highly-unlikely title of â2020âs randiest song you can play in a family setting.â
Genie Santiago (feat. ALGO), âRevelaciĂłnâ
Another welcome history lesson, âRevelaciĂłnâ recalls centuries of discrimination against Latinx people with a potent delivery from Genie Santiago and collaborator ALGO. Piercing in its truths, the single offers Spanish rap melodies laced with realities much of America prefers to turn a blind or ear to. Without a wasted breath, Santiago exposes the many follies of revisionist history: âTextbooks lying / Whereâs the story about them Indios? / Funny whatâs been rewritten to benefit an agenda.â Much like âWhite Supremacy Is The Enemy,â âRevelaciĂłnâ isnât as much as a âkick-back-and-listenâ track as it is a âsit-up-and-take-notesâ one.
Honey Cutt, âVacationâ
Honey Cutt, for one, are sick of âcoastingâ through a mediocre dating pool. The Boston outfit fronted by Kaley Honeycutt spins their sun-kissed surf-rock with mastery on their Kanine Records debut Coasting, but the single âVacationâ nails down Kaleyâs acerbic wit especially well. âIâm on a vacation / From all the ânice guysâ / And Iâm turning off my phone / And Iâm throwing it in the water,â she confesses on the chorus. Her sentiments could hardly be put more plainly, but surely, somewhere, somehow, a âwell-intentionedâ bloke will get lost in the songâs blue-sky melodies and entirely miss the tidal waves of attitude. And then, Kaley, bless her heart, will have to chuck her phone into the ocean all over again.
House of Harm, âVicious Pastimesâ
Weâd never call âVicious Pastimesâ a placeholder, but the truth is, any track from Boston post-punk group House of Harmâs new record of the same name could nab a slot here. Marking the bandâs arrival on the international scene via Avant! Records, the entirety of Vicious Pastimes preserves the bandâs moody blues like a sheet of black ice: ominous, unexpected, and most threatening in the evening hours. âVicious Pastimesâ simply balances that equation of certain drama with the most efficiency.
Latrell James, âTraumatizedâ
The tracks that Latrell James curated for his 2020 EP Under are undoubtedly top-tier content from the Boston rapper. And yet, thereâs a one-off track called âTraumatizedâ that creeps with an unease that sums up a year fraught with tension and terror all too well. âIâve seen wrong / Iâve seen right / Iâve been traumatized,â he raps on the chorus, a blunt precursor to his order âYou gonâ pick a side / You gonâ ride or die.â And, for better or worse (plenty of emphasis on âworseâ here), Americans made their domino chain of choices that resulted in the clusterfuck of hell and hope that was 2020.
MonaVeli, âSpaceâ
It was a loner kind of year, and MonaVeli made the most of it. A boundary-setting bop about basking in the radiant glow of your own hustle and company, âSpaceâ recalls a radical approach to self-love, goal-setting, and acknowledging the stardust pumping through your veins. Clocking in at just under two minutes, âSpaceâ sounds like a sprint, but itâs a race that MonaVeli is only running against her most worthy opponent â herself.
The Morning Herald, âPlus Oneâ
The Morning Heraldâs frontman Zach Leone once set out to make a song that captures a âdystopian-dinner party from the 1960âs kinda vibe.â Well, with âPlus Oneâ he got the first part right for 2020, at least. A blistering dose of psych-rock for our dark days, the track from the newly-situated Boston band chugs along like the elevator in its accompanying lyric video, rocketing towards an uncertain future. Ironically, in a world where ârealâ parties are temporarily forbidden, âPlus Oneâ has an even more sci-fi feel to it than anticipated. (What, exactly, is a âparty guestâ like Leone keeps mentioning?)
Oompa, âCloserâ
âCloserâ begins with a sacred recitation of a morning routine gone lopsided from a pandemic. And Oompa recites her new schedule with a semblance ofâŠ.exuberance? âWoke up this morning / Alarm clock beaten by the sun / Canât be late to work no more / Because it starts when I wake up,â she explains, relishing in the bright spots of her day, even with a nod to the impending end-times. â[The] World is almost over nowâ she sings on the chorus, but not in an âitâs-the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it-and-I-feel-fineâ tone, more of an âand what of it?â way. âWhat to a negro is apocalypse?â she later questions on the songâs breakdown. Itâs far too big a query to tackle in this edition of Oompaâs rapid-fire raps, but the subject lingers long after her final joyful bar â as itâs meant to. âCloserâ is a relief and a release, but if it doesnât move you to reflect on that pivotal question, you arenât listening closely enough.
Red Shaydez, âThe Recipeâ
Red Shaydez always puts her ârâ verbs first in life: Realign, recharge, remind people who the hell you are, repeat. âThe Recipeâ sets the tone of the Boston emceeâs new record Feel The Aura with a series of quick-hit quips, the best of which expose phonies trying to compete with her in the fast lane. âThat ainât your car/ Itâs your dadâsâ she calls out, alongside mentions of rappers with Instagram followers in the 50K region who canât draw anyone out to a show. âYes I sound judge-y / But you tried to crush me,â she states, and frankly, sheâs justified. Why mess with Bostonâs queen of positivity with bogus and bullshit? Thereâs a final ârâ in that list, after all â rip âem a new one.
Ricky Felix, âScarlettâ
The only song without lyrics to make the cut here, âScarlettâ offers a testament to the fluid beatmaking abilities of Ricky Felix, the Brockton-based producer from rap collective Van Buren. The track appears on his debut project High End Theory, a nine-track endeavor loaded with bars from fellow Van Buren members and Boston hip-hop artists. Yet âScarlettâ is deliberate flex and a sly demonstration of what Felix is capable of when left on his own, slipped into a rap record like a charming surprise.
SeeFour, âOn Godâ
Just like SeeFour swears no one resembles him, no song on this list resembles anything like the airy bravado of âOn God,â a piano-note-driven dive into the deep end of the music industry. âJust for your fame you gotta pay a fee / and this America, ainât nothing freeâ SeeFour recites, acknowledging an industry laden with radio payola, paid playlist placements, and social media followers for sale. But âOn Godâ is a portrait of a young artists pitted against the odds, determined to leave his energetic stamp on things without forking over so much as an extra dollar: âYou gotta like it or love it,â he raps. âEither way, Iâm above it.â
Shellz, âFucking With My Mindâ
One-third of the Boston rapperâs massive visual EP SOULZ, Shellzâs R&B spell âFucking With My Mindâ transforms the classic push-and-pull of love into an aggravated tug of war. Fueled by an unceasing determination to make sense of men, âFucking With My Mindâ seeps with sex appeal, even though itâs an airing of pent-up romantic frustration. âI know you hate me just as much as you love me,â Shellz sings, tightening her unrelenting grasp on the metaphorical rope. As the remainder of SOULZ ultimately proves, Shellz has a grip that wonât quit, and a hold on her worth that keeps her career steadily climbing.
Telelectrix, âStrobeâ
If all the clubs are closed, can dance-pop artists still synthesize a hit? Telelectrix unveiled their song âStrobeâ to a world largely devoid of anything reminiscent to neon nightlife; the same neon nightlight the track seeks to emulate. What could have been a botched release turned into a beacon of hope for whatâs to come (or, more accurately, come back) with a starry-eyed appreciation for all things shimmering and synthed-the-eff-up. And when the bars and lounges reopen in due time, âStrobeâ will stay as the guiding light to all things underground.
THA CAPITAL G, âWhite Supremacy is the Enemyâ
Itâs a comment so obvious that it barely needs to be uttered â a comment that THA CAPITAL G wasnât planning on centering an entire song and EP around. But after increasing confusion surrounding whether or not white supremacists are morally bankrupt individuals, the Boston-turned-LA rapper turned his lyrics into a lesson plan about the grip racism maintains on this country. Simply stated but never soft on the facts, âWhite Supremacy is the Enemyâ speaks a truth still left unsaid among some of the nationâs most important leaders â as does the rest of its accompanying EP, I Wouldnât Trade Being Black for Anything. - Victoria Wasylak
As is September tradition, the Boston Music Awards unveiled its nominees for 2020 on Friday morning (September 25), and itâs a massive list that spans 38 categories and hundreds of bands, artists, and other figures and entities in the Boston music scene.
Leading the pack is Anjimile, scoring seven nominations, including Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year (for âMakerâ). Elsewhere, Cliff Notez is recognized in six categories, and Squirrel Flower received looks in five. For the eighth straight year, Vanyaland is nominated for Music Publication of the Year (formerly a blog category), and two of our editors, Michael Marotta (Editor-In-Chief) and Victoria Wasylak (Music Editor, Boston) are up for Music Journalist of the Year. Vanyalandâs Emily Gardner is nominated in Music Photographer of the Year.
Voting is open to the public via bostonmusicawards.com/vote, and runs to 11:59 p.m. (EST) on November 1. Winners will be announced virtually on December 11, with prohibitions on public gatherings still in effect due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
There are some new categories on this yearâs ballot, including Breakthrough Artist of the Year, which last year was Unsigned Artist of the Year. The new category reflects, according to the BMAs, an artist â new, old, signed, unsigned â that has improved or experienced âgrowth from one point to another over the 12 months.â
The Music Artwork of the Year category has also returned, and the Music Podcast / Radio Show of the Year category is a hybrid of two separate categories from years past. In reflecting 2020, Live Music Stream of the Year has also been added to the ballot, replacing Live Performer of the Year.
The BMAs also announced the Peopleâs Choice Award, presented by MusicSpace, which is described as such: âThe past year has been an incredibly tough one on multiple levels, so this award hopefully goes some way in bringing back a little bit of a feel-good factor. The Peopleâs Choice Award, presented by MusicSpace, is completely driven by the general public and fans. Itâs also not limited to artists â if thereâs a booker, promoter, manager, producer, or anyone else involved in Boston music that you want to see recognized, let us know.â
Now in its 33rd year, the BMAs have also announced an expansion to other states across New England, and unveiled its 617Sessions, which gives free studio time to local musicians. Hit both links for more.
Check out the full ballot below.
BOSTON MUSIC AWARDS | 2020 NOMINEES
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Anjimile
BIA
Clairo
Cliff Notez
Joyner Lucas
Latrell James
Leo The Kind
Millyz
PVRIS
The Ballroom Thieves
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
8 Zipp
All The Time Always
Cakeswagg
Gish
Hyber
Kaylee Federmann
Luke Bar$
MAYA LUCIA
Pillbook
Saint Lyor
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Anjimile
Austin Fair
Brandie Blaze
Camp Blood
House of Harm
Jazzmyn RED
Mallcops
Optic Bloom
Red Shaydez
Squirrel Flower
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Austin Fair â PIONEER
Cliff Notez â Why the Wild Things Are
Luke Bar$ â GoodEvil
Mallcops â We Made Plans to Self-Destruct and Return to the Stars
Optic Bloom â Space Garden
Red Shaydez â Feel the Aura
Sasha Sloan â Self Portrait
Squirrel Flower â I Was Born Swimming
Saint Lyor â IF MY SINS COULD TALK
The Ballroom Thieves â Unlovely
SONG OF THE YEAR
Anjimile â âMakerâ
BIA â âCOVER GIRLâ
Cliff Notez & Dephrase â âVoodoo Doll feat. Latrell Jamesâ
House of Harm â âVicious Pastimesâ
Jazzmyn RED â âWe Gon Make Itâ
Luke Bar$ â âDie With Prideâ
PVRIS â âDead Weightâ
Saint Lyor â âGossipâ
STL GLD â âMy Blockâ
Squirrel Flower â âHeadlightsâ
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Alec Hutson â âZebra feat. Cliff Notezâ
Bad Rabbits â âWWYD (What Would You Do?)â
Coral Moons â âWinnebagoâ
Hayley Sabella â âFlew The Nestâ
Joyner Lucas â âRevengeâ
Millyz â âStay Awhileâ
Parts Per Million â â2020 Visionâ
Sasha Sloan â âLiesâ
SuperSmashBroz â âKnew Dat feat. Luke Bar$ & Lord Felixâ
Vintage Lee â âDraw 2 (Short Film)â
ALT/INDIE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Anjimile
Bent Knee
Coral Moons
Future Teens
Honey Cutt
House of Harm
Sidney Gish
Squirrel Flower
Vundabar
Weakened Friends
AMERICANA ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Airport
Jake Swamp and The Pine
Lula Wiles
Magen Tracy & the Missed Connections
Mark Erelli
Session Americana
Susan Cattaneo
The Wolff Sisters
Town Meeting
Twisted Pine
BLUES ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ali McGuirk
Anthony Geraci & The Boston Blues All-Stars
Danielle Miraglia
GA-20
Julie Rhodes
Peter Parcek
Sonya Rae Taylor
The Barrett Anderson Band
Tim Carman & the Street 45s
Veronica Lewis
COUNTRY ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ashley Jordan
Ayla Brown
Dalton & the Sheriffs
Hayley Thompson-King
Houston Bernard Band
Lonely Leesa & the Lost Cowboys
Monica Rizzio
Scarlett Drive
These Wild Plains
Ward Hayden & The Outliers
DANCE/ELECTRONIC ARTIST OF THE YEAR
André Obin
Camino 84
Honeycomb
Leo The Kind
Lightfoot
Optic Bloom
Rilla Force
Saucy Lady
Smigonaut
Zebbler Encanti Experience
DJ OF THE YEAR
BEARLY YVNG
DJ Alcide
DJ Chubby Chub
DJ Frank White
DJ Knife
DJ ReaL P
DJ Ryan Brown
DJ Slipwax
DJ WhySham
SuperSmashBroz
FOLK ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Alex & the People
Anjimile
Darlingside
Gentle Temper
Hawthorn
Honeysuckle
Lisa Bastoni
Prateek
Tall Heights
The Ballroom Thieves
HIP HOP ARTIST OF THE YEAR
BIA
Cliff Notez
Cousin Stizz
Joyner Lucas
Latrell James
Lord Felix
Luke Bar$
Millyz
Red Shaydez
Vintage Lee
INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Carlos Odria Trio
Crocodile River Music
Dub Apocalypse
Dzidzor
Ezekielâs Wheels Klezmer Band
Greg Roy
Kotoko Brass
Layth Sidiq
Soul Rebel Project
Yazhi Guo
JAZZ ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ezra Platt
Fully Celebrated Orchestra
George Garzone
Jason Palmer
Jerry Bergonzi
Kevin Harris
Terri Lyne Carrington
The Woo Factor
Tom Dowd
Yoko Miwa Trio
METAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Armpits
Black Mass
Glacier
Lesser Glow
Needle Play
SEA
SEED
Seven Spires
Vaulted
Worshipper
POP ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Clairo
Jonny Glenn
Kaylee Federmann
Leo The Kind
MyCompiledThoughts
PVRIS
Pillbook
Ripe
Sasha Sloan
Yavin
PUNK/HARDCORE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Actor|Observer
Art Thieves
BRIXâN MORTAR
Camp Blood
Knock Over City
Leopard Print Taser
Mallcops
Rebuilder
Sapling
SkyTigers
R&B ARTIST OF THE YEAR
$ean Wire
Ava Sophia
Eva Davenport
KAE
Marcela Cruz
Miranda Rae
Najee Janey
Nancia
Rey Royale
Sleeping Bela
ROCK ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Carissa Johnson
Caspian
Circus Trees
Fire in the Field
Kal Marks
Major Moment
Pile
PowerSlut
Salem Wolves
Set Fire
SINGER-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Adi Sun
Anjimile
GHOST GRL
Jenee Halstead
Hayley Sabella
Latrell James
Linnea Herzog â Powerslut
Liz Bills
Tanya Donelly
Will Dailey
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Aaron Garcia â Pillbook
Anjimile
Drew Zieff â Jake Swamp and The Pine
Ella OâConnor Williams â Squirrel Flower
Eva Davenport
Gianna Botticelli â GHOST GRL
Josh Knowles
Julie Rhodes
Tanya Donelly
Wren Gathers â Optic Bloom
SESSION MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Chris Anzalone
Dave Brophy
Duke Levine
Ed Valauskas
Erica Mantone
Joe McMahon
Jonathan Ulman
Stud Green
Tim Carman
Tim Hall
LIVE MUSIC VENUE OF THE YEAR
Big Night Live
Brighton Music Hall
House of Blues
ONCE Somerville
Orpheum Theatre
Paradise Rock Club
Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion
Royale
The Palladium
The Sinclair
INTIMATE LIVE MUSIC VENUE OF THE YEAR
Atwoodâs Tavern
Club Passim
Dorchester Art Project
Great Scott
Lizard Lounge
Midway Cafe
OâBrienâs Pub
The Burren Backroom
The Milky Way
TOAD
LIVE PRODUCTION ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Chris Johnson
Dana Filloon
Grace Reader
Ian Nault
Jesse Vengrove
Joel Simches
Joyce In
Mike Green
Reid Calkin
Samuel Willgoose
RECORDING STUDIO OF THE YEAR
37â Productions
Cybersound Recording Studio
Mad Oak Studios
New Alliance Audio
Q Division
Red 13 Studios
Revolution Sound Studio
The Bridge Sound and Stage
The Record Company
Zippah Recording Studios
STUDIO PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Avery Humber (Humbeats)
Benny Grotto
Brian Charles
Ed Valauskus
Janos Fulop (The Arcitype)
Jay Maas
Jon Glass
Justin Pizzoferrato
Miranda Serra
Sean McLaughlin
MUSIC PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Aaron Gray â Grayskull Booking
Brandon Matthews â ShowOff Marketing
Carl Lavin â Bowery Boston
Catherine Morris â BAMS Fest
Dustin Labbe â Crossroads Presents
Heather Timmons â TinyOak Booking
Lisa Finelli Fallon â Xperience Creative
Ned Wellbery â Leedz Edutainment
Ryan Agate â RTT Presents
Tom Bianchi â 24 Hour Concerts
MUSIC PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR
Allston Pudding
Boston Compass
DigBoston
Graduation Music
KillerBoomBox
Sound of Boston
The ARTery â WBUR
The Lowell Spin
TheMUSEUM TV
Vanyaland
MUSIC JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Amelia Mason
Arielle Gray
Candace McDuffie
G Valentino Ball
Jed Gottlieb
Karen Muller
Lillian âLilzâ Martin
Michael Marotta
Victor Infante
Victoria Wasylak
MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Adam Parshall
Ben Stas
Corwin Wickersham
Emily Gardner
Jay Hunt
Jenny Bergman
Matt Lambert
OJ Slaughter
Omari Spears
Yazi Ferrufino
MUSIC ARTWORK OF THE YEAR
Bent Knee â You Know What They Mean
Cliff Notez & Dephrase â Social Absence
CZARFACE â The Odd Czar Against Us
Esh & The Isolations â Idiot Fingerz
Jazzmyn RED â REDvolution
Juliana Hatfield â Sings The Police
Luke Bar$ â GoodEvil
Mallcops â We Made Plans to Self-Destruct and Return to the Stars
Millyz â Pandemic Pandemonium
Needle Play â Death by Detail
MUSIC PODCAST / RADIO SHOW OF THE YEAR
Above The Basement
Backpacks and Magazines â 88.1FM WMBR
Beat Club Podcast
Boston Emissions with Anngelle Wood
Boston Venue: The Channel Story
ItsLitBoston
LFOD Radio
On The Town with Mikey Dee â 91.5FM WMFO
Stuck On Stuff
The Launch Pad â JAMâN 94.5
LIVE MUSIC STREAM OF THE YEAR
TogetherAtHome Sessions â Above The Basement
BUNKER BUDS â Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys
Club Passim Live Stream
Friends of Allston Great Scott Benefit â Allston Pudding & Disposable America
GroundBeat â BAMS Fest
HipStory House Party â HipStory
Isolation Tour â Will Dailey
The New Sh*t Show â Oompa
Virtual Happy Hour â Bill Janovitz
Virtual Venue â ONCE Somerville
617SESSIONS ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Juniper â âBetter Daysâ
Red Shaydez â âLemme Go Talk My Sh*â
Eli Olson â âBy A Threadâ
Yavin â âInsecuritiesâ
Ava Sophia â âLove Language (feat. Tashawn Taylor)â
Rebuilder â âMonumentsâ
Prateek â âDiamondsâ
Mint Green â âChangingâ
Heath240 â âSecsâ
Naomi Westwater â âGoodbye Asus4â - Vanyaland
When I was approached to write an article for Boston Hassle, I was elated! However, in my true âLibra fashionââI then thought to myself, âI canât decide what I want to write about so let me come up with a way to include several people and things!â Yes, I know. Indecisive. We like options, what can I say? So now we have âRed Shaydez Top Local Favesâ that will include some of my local favorites from multiple categories!
2019 has been the best year for music in Boston thus far. So much talent in the city. Weâve made tons of progress. It has not only been amazing to witness, but great to be a part of as well. While narrowing down my most favorite moments were extremely challenging, hereâs a look at some of my top local favorites this year:
Top Podcasts
ItsLitBoston *2019 Best Music Podcast at Boston Music Awards*
LezGetNaked w/ MzMoPhila
Henny and HotWings
Celeste The Therapist
Pep Talks & Fufu
LFOD Radio
Voices w/ Pebbles
NewEngland MicCheck
Top Rising Stars
Kasia Lavon
Eva Davenport
Tashawn Taylor
SeeFour
Shellz
Kay Wattz
Genie Santiago
MonaVeli
Malia The Model
Kaovanny
Top Community Organizers/Organizations
Catherine Morris
Bakari JB
The Mad Music Mill
Dorchester Art Project *2019 Best Intimate Live Music Venue at Boston Music Awards*
Lena Park Community Development Corporation
Anna Rae
Top Events Iâve Performed at or Attended
The Hip Hop Transformation âThe Bigger Pictureâ End of The Summer Showcase
HipStory Boston Answering at Strand Theatre
BAMS Fest
All Together Now
Feel It, Speak It
#MattapanLove
Strength & Sensitivity at The Center for Arts at the Armory
HipStory Presents: A HipStoric Night at the MFA
Boston Music Awards 2019
Top Videos
Ice Cream-CakeSwagg Dir. SnapsbyKat
Tia Tamera Remix-Red Shaydez, Brandie Blaze Dir. Jay Hunt
Trying to Find My Next Thrill-Cousin Stizz Dir. Gilad Haas
OK OK â Luke Bar$ feat Jiles Dir. Daymian Mejia
Black Pigment-Capella Auriga
Enerjia-Zaay Dir. Kevin Bernardez
Something About You-Kae Dir. ShotbyTanj
She is Boston by Nancia feat Red Shaydez, Brandie Blaze & Lord Ju Dir. Jay Hunt
Top Producers
Lightfoot
Rilla Force
Seoul
Humbeats
Buddha Beats
MorShabazz
Top Songs
Ana Conda â Jay Gatz
Cleo N âNem -Oompa, Brandie Blaze
Two-Brandie Blaze
Massochists-Cliff Notez
Jockey Freestyle-Tashawn Taylor
Juggin Finesse-Treva Holmes
Key by LG Sai
Bird Box-Lotus Taylor
Magic-Marcela Cruz
Top Bops
RIPâd Da Check-Kweeng Doll feat HopeADope
Vintage Like Lee-Vintage Lee feat MadeinTYO
OAZ-Fenti
Big ZOE-Dutch ReBelle
All Of The Homies Need Trophies-Milkshaw Benedict
Vibe â Hopeadope
Thirst Trappinâ â Shellz feat Lord Ju
Top Performances
Billy Dean Thomas
Optic Bloom
Van Buren
SeeFour
Teeluxe
Jefe Replay
Top Projects
âTo See and Hear Hxrselfâ by Ava Sophia
âExcuse My Baggageâ by Miranda Rae
âDeclarationâ by Dalaun
âFiestaâ by RillaForce
âThe Purple Earth Theoryâ by Najee Janey
âLate Bloomerâ by Brandie Blaze
âCleoâ by Oompa
âFreeâ by Jonn.Beatty
Top Community Supporter
Phree
Jeffrey Allen
Amanda Shea
Jay Gatz
DJ WhySham
Oompa
Top Poets
Jha D
Amanda Shea
D Ruff
Sole
Phree
MâShairi
Saafyr
Top Journalists
Candace McDuffie
Arielle Gray
Vicki Wasylak
Amelia Mason
Katie Ouellette
Jeneé Osterheldt
Top DJâs
DJ TROY Frost
DJ WhySham
DJ Slick Vick
DJ No Jokez
DJ Real P
DJ Jeff 2Timez
DJ Dex
DJ Casso
So, there you have it folks! I couldâve done way more but I did my best to keep it to a minimum. All listed were people and places I thoroughly enjoyed this year. I hope you did too! - RED SHAYDEZ
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
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Bio
Boston Music Awards Nominated Vocalist and R&B Artist of 2020: Eva Davenport, is striving to live her purpose through music. With sultry, soulful vocals, inspirational lyrics and powerful, spiritual stage presence Eva constantly inspires her listeners to follow their own passions.Â
âA voice that not only gains your attention, but soothes your soulâ â BNNâs Farenheight TV.Â
Go to Evadavenportmusic.com for more information!
Band Members
Links