Authentically Punky the Singer

She may be new to you, but if you are entranced with the underground music scene, you may be familiar with Punky the Singer. However, if you are looking to add new music to your collection let this be your introduction to an R&B artist who delivers soulful music with a nostalgic charm. Punky the Singer provides virtuosity with each project, as she remains authentic to her craft. Originating from Massachusetts, the Hyde Park native sets out to put on for her home state as she influences fans worldwide. 

Punky the Singer’s latest EP, “The Miya Project” was released on December 2, and has since accrued thousands of streams. Her discography thus far is expansive and is only growing as she releases some of today’s hottest R&B tracks, with a relatable yet incomparable sound and aesthetic. Considering how the EP’s lead single, “Your Body” has garnered a total of 42,614 Spotify streams, it is safe to say she is here to make a lasting impression. 

With a generous personality and charismatic sound, the independent artist curates an unwavering bond with her loyal fans. Additionally, the multifaceted singer/songwriter was recently nominated for R&B Artist of The Year at Hip-Hop New England Awards 2022. 

Inspiring others is on the forefront of this passionate and ambitious artists’ mind, as she makes it her mission to influence and touch fans through her music while exuding warmth, creativity, and fostering an intimate relationship with her supporters. 

On the Flip Side had the privilege of interviewing Punky the Singer on December 9, 2022. The interview can be read below.

What inspires you to create your music?

“I make music because nothing else makes me happier, it helps me heal. I want to heal those with broken hearts or help those in happy relationships. I have something for everybody because I’ve been through so much.” 

If you could collaborate on a feature with anybody, who would it be?

“I love BIA, we’re both from Massachusetts and Leos! She’s so fierce and confident, I think we’d make the girliest, sexiest, flirtiest, most confident track. I’d also enjoy a Wale, Travis Scott, and Millyz feature.”

Your EP “The Miya Project” is an amazing project and has some relatable tracks which include “Your Body,” “Trust,” “Feels So Good”, “Miscommunication”, and more. What inspired you to create those songs?

“I make music for women, I have a lot of male followers which is great because guys definitely love R&B! But I feel like when the girls get it, they get. I write music for women and I love that they understand me. I want women to feel so comfortable and good because they’re reminders for women to remember that they are worth something.”

How does it feel knowing you’ve been nominated for your first award?

“I don’t know how it happened but one day I woke up to the notification and it made me feel like people are watching me, and the project resonates with people. If you’re from Massachusetts gaining exposure is a lot of word-of-mouth, so moments like this make me realize that everything is working out.”

Knowing that building engagement is so vital, what has your relationship been like with your fans? Have you discovered supporters in unanticipated regions?

“Absolutely, I have a super dope following in Ghana! I also have a song that charted in the UK, so knowing that I have that support means so much to me.” 

Do you have any women in your life that you’d like to highlight that have inspired you or encouraged you in someway?

“My mom, her sister (my aunt), my best friend Lauren, and Jhené Aiko. The first three women have inspired me in different ways, and Jhené Aiko has been one of my biggest inspirations. She joined one of my Twitter Spaces recently and it meant so much to me.”

Check out Punky the Singer’s latest EP “The Miya Project” on all major streaming platforms!

Meet DMV Trailblazer, JABBAGOTDAJUICE

Hailing from the DMV, JABBAGOTDAJUICE sets out to prove that she has a reign like no other with her distinctive sound and aesthetic. The eccentric artist delivers massive versatility as she develops her sound and approach to music as an alternative rapper. 

Alternative music has evolved throughout the years, taking up space in the rap and hip-hop genres. Since the late 1980’s many talented artists and groups like A Tribe Called Quest, Jungle Brothers, KRS-One, The Pharcyde, Souls of Mischief, and Freestyle Fellowship have paved the way for themselves within this sector of the rap and hip-hop culture. The subgenre has risen and fallen in terms of popularity, producing classical hits from groups like the Fugees in the 1990s. Within the past decade, however, several male artists have flourished within this sub-genre, particularly Kid-Cudi, Tyler, the Creator, Kendrick Lamar, and Childish Gambino.

With the resurgence of women in rap and hip-hop, it is no surprise that female artists are creating space for themselves as alternative creators. We have graciously seen more prolific female artists produce amazing music within the subgenre, like Lauryn Hill and Jean Grae. Thanks to their contributions to the culture, they have created a solid foundation for exceptional and talented newer artists such as Doechii, Rico Nasty, Tierra Wack, Leikeli, Tkay Maidza, Sampa the Great, Little Simz, and the upcoming artist JABBAGOTDAJUICE.

JABBAGOTDAJUICE is just getting started and has already amassed a significant following since 2021, after officially releasing her first EP, Ashtray Tapes, Vol. 1 on Spotify and Apple Music. 

Drawing inspiration from Avril Lavigne, Hayley Williams, Missy Elliot, Nicki Minaj, and Aaliyah, JABBAGOTDAJUICE delivers versatility with ease through tracks like “Don’t Touch” which offers tranquil vibes. However, songs like “Free Smoke” from her EP, and the single “Blazin’” implement more hype and audacious elements. After songwriting throughout her prepubescent years, the young artist chose to consider a career in music after her 2018 single, “Flava Freestyle” gained attention on SoundCloud. Since then, she has dedicated her time to developing her craft. 

Along with passionately pursuing music, JABBAGOTDAJUICE is an adamant advocate for mental health. In September 2021, she launched her official mental health campaign on Instagram which can be found at @BetterMeUniversity. She uses the platform as an outlet to motivate others with a message and affirmation for each day. 

On November 11, On the Flip Side had the pleasure of hosting an interview with JABBAGOTDAJUICE.

How do you prepare for shows and performances?

“My preparation process is different now, I used to have stage fright but now I try to get those nerves out. I visualize myself performing and the performance being successful. I also try to turn up and keep the energy going, I also smoke.”

What does it mean to have a team behind you as an artist?

“At first I didn’t understand the importance of a team and questioned how to build one. I feel like it’s always better when it’s people you know or have known for a while. But for me, I didn’t have those types of connections going into this and it can be kind of difficult once you reach adulthood, so it’s more so about getting yourself out there. It’s based on genuine connections and having people who genuinely believe in me, which is the best team you can have.” 

What are your thoughts on the current status of women in rap?

“It seems like everyone wants us to compete, but men don’t go through the same thing. At the end of the day we just need to come together because there’s power in numbers, and we’re shitting on the males and we always have.”

Knowing that Rico Nasty is a DMV native and has put on for the DMV in so many ways, what does it mean to you to already have that representation as an alternative female artist? What would you say is the current status of the underground music scene for artists in the subgenre in the DMV?

“I think Rico is super dope, I definitely think she’s opened the gate for a lot of artists like myself to be able to be alternative and to be broadcasted on a larger scale. I’m proud of her…I feel like the underground artists are in a bubble and we need more opportunities because we’re overlooked even though mainstream people draw inspiration from us because there are so many of us who are very talented.”

What kind of space are you usually in when creating more hard-hitting alternative tracks?

“I’m usually pretty hype and just want to have fun, like at ragers. It might also be a mixture of somebody irritating me, that could be where the aggression comes from.”

How does motherhood inspire you to create music and develop your artistry?

“She inspires me to want to chase my dreams, I’ve always been into music but I was shy and doubted my chances. But when I had her, I decided to be able to at least say that I tried. She also turns up with me and lets me know if it’s a good song. She just makes me wanna try.” 

If you’re in the DMV area on December 17, make sure to check out JABBAGOTDAJUICE’s performance at the 7th World Galleria Showcase.

Meet R&B Sweetheart, Cortney Lachelle

Cortney Lachelle, one of Oklahoma City’s hottest upcoming female r&b artists is making strides toward becoming a nationwide r&b sensation.

The OKC native incorporates her smooth and regal r&b sound into a virtuous blend of nostalgic yet contemporary love songs. Cortney’s discography offers versatility as well as she is quit-witted with her rhymes when she creates under the guise of hip-hop and rap genres, with songs such as “Bad Bitch” featuring Stevonna and “Closed Case” featuring Big Ken. 

The twenty-nine-year-old artist is passionate about her craft, as she develops her sound and aesthetic with each project, drawing inspiration from influential r&b artists such as Donell Jones, Anita Baker, and more. Cortney’s first project, The Cycle- EP was released in 2020 and since then she’s released two singles and featured on several others. The body of work features kindred tracks inspired by Cortney’s personal experience, as well as close friends. 

“Taye Diggs,” a fan favorite from the extended play, recalls the aggrieved yet relatable vulnerability that accompanies heartbreak. The song has become popular on social media platform, TikTok. 

Since breaking out on the scene in 2018, Cortney has gained the attention of numerous artists, producers, and more including Bow Wow and Oklahoma City’s very own OKC Black Fashion Week, where she performed a cypher. 

Cortney became inspired to seriously pursue her career as a recording artist after posting a video freestyle on Instagram to the instrumental version of “Gucci Gang,” by Lil Pump. The freestyle went viral within her hub, leading to offers in studio time which propelled her career.

On the Flip Side had the pleasure of hosting an interview with Cortney Lachelle on October 26. 

“What was the inspiration behind your very first song?”

“The song is called ‘Steppin’, it’s no longer available to stream but it may be rereleased at some point since there is a demand for it. It’s a hype song inspired to just do you and step on the haters.”

“What do you think your sound will be like five years from now?”

“I can’t even say–I won’t lie it’s gonna be some real fly shit. I’ll be on a wave of my own and I’ll be able to incorporate more of the things that I really love like country music and pop.”

“What inspired you to not use a stage name?”

“I could not think of one! I tried to create one by playing around with the letters of my name, but I just decided that I was not meant to have a stage name. I’m okay with that though, it worked out great.”

“Aside from how your sound will evolve, what goals do you see yourself accomplishing in the near future?”

“I’m a realist, but I do believe that this is something that I have been made to do…in the next five to ten years I hope and plan to be a household name. I genuinely love music and I want it to feel like this is something I love to do, and I’m gonna keep doing it til i get paid to do it.”

“How do you feel about the ‘R&B is dead’ discourse?”

“I absolutely do not believe that r&b is dead. What I do believe, is, just like the generations before us, when you’re used to hearing a certain style of music, it can feel like it’s dead. What I can say is that people aren’t trying to get the real r&b singers out here, like underground artists.”

“If you had a feature coming your way, whether it be you’re featured on another artists’ music or vice versa, what type of feature would you enjoy?”

“I say this every time, every interview, I want my first feature to be Lil Durk. That’s the vibe I’m going for, off top.”

“What’s one piece of advice you’ve found to resonate with you the most lately, and what advice would you give to other female creatives?”

“One piece of advice that really stuck with me lately was to stop trying to control my art. I put out my project in 2020 and I haven’t put out a new body of work yet because I feel like I have to top the first one. But I was told that music is art and you can put things out based on the space that you’re in. My advice would be to just be you.”

“Do you have any women in the industry that you’d like to plug?”

“There’s a female artist here by the name of Nia Moné, she’s an amazing singer. Sarah Fina Byrd, she has a band and performs here at least twice a week… And me! I hope the people feel my vibe.”  

Make sure to check Ms. Lachelle’s music out on Apple Music, Spotify, and Youtube Music.