Jenessa Williams
Jenessa is a freelance music journalist, fandom academic and the writer of Subtweets, our weekly column that dissects the trending topics setting Music Twitter alight. She likes millennial hip-hop, noughties emo and advocating for a new era of diversity and representation in both.
45s Of The Week: Alex Lahey, Girl Ray, Petite Noir and more!
Alex Lahey - ‘Good Time’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsRafjwS8Fc
“I just want a good time/don’t care how/but I know everybody needs it.’’ So sings Alex Lahey, summing up the...
There is nothing condemnable about Sam Smith’s expression of queer, body-positive joy
Content warning: Mentions of misgendering, queerphobia, fatphobia
A staple of mainstream UK pop, the idea of Sam Smith being a particularly controversial or debatable figure...
Critiquing Beyoncé is not the same as calling for her cancellation
At this point, everybody knows that an era-opening performance from Beyoncé is going to go down in history. Shrouded in secrecy, Knowles-Carter returned to...
BBC Introducing is an institution we can’t afford to lose
How do you find your new music? It might be TikTok, YouTube, copping a look at Spotify’s latest ‘trending’ playlist or taking a recommendation...
Coachella’s 2023 world focus is a shrewd sign of the times
Coachella is an event that has always seemed to do its own thing. Negative connotations persist — the flower crowns, the endless dust, the...
2022 in review: The year of house and home
In the uncertain, emotional years of 2020 and 2021, it is no surprise that heartfelt singer-songwriters reigned supreme. Phoebe Bridgers, Sam Fender, HAIM, Olivia...
Meet GloRilla, rap’s newest rising star
Every year, there are a few artists who appear to define the year, lighting up social media and cementing the biggest cultural trends. There...
45’s of the Week – Self Esteem, Kaeto, Memphis LK and more
Self Esteem – 'The 345 (Choose You Edit)'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvrhYjcq488
As anyone who has attended a Self Esteem show in the last 18 months will attest, ‘The...
The BRITs Rising Star nominations prove that the future of homegrown R&B is bright
If you live in the UK, you will know that an artist winning a BRIT award is still a pretty big deal. Introduced in...
2023 GRAMMY nominations: has The Academy got it right this year?
Now in its 65th year, the release of the GRAMMY nomination longlist has always been a big day for the industry, a way to...