NOT 97

We check in with UK genre-blending newcomer Willow Kayne on her first visit to New York. Willow discusses her introduction to music and what inspired her to start releasing her own a few years ago, her dynamic approach to creating art, design, and visuals, as well as how she intends to build a multi-sensory world for her music to live in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/...

Today we're joined by the one & only Goldie Harris. With years of experience in the music world, Goldie is United Masters' Artist Marketing & Promotion Manager, as well as the founder of 24:OURS, her own platform to support creatives, cultivated community, host events, and more.  Goldie introduces Brooklyn up-and-comer STVSH, as well as Venezuelan singer/songwriter Yarge.  We tap in with multidime...

Today's episode features Vevo's own Artist & Label Relations Manager Jordan Ferree. Jordan takes us on a trip around the world with a hip-hop delivery from Dublin's Ahmed, With Love. as well as an RnB standout from Filipino artist Jason Dhakal. We visit Tblisi, Georgia with a captivating young singer/songwriter and producer named Creams, hit New Zealand with Maxwell Young, and bring it back to the...

Welcome to the second episode of NOT 97’s The Check In featuring UK-based artist and producer Narissha, whose standout track Elegy was featured on NOT 97 8.2 earlier this season. We talk about what inspired her to start releasing music only two years ago, being chosen by Adidas and Boiler Room as one of four up-and-coming artists to record at Abbey Road Studios and what she learned from that exper...

This is the debut episode of The Check In featuring Marcel Allen. Marcel is fresh off the release of his debut album "Ebony Goddess" — out now everywhere. You may have heard the opening track "Dinner Wit Hov" on the latest episode of NOT 97. We catch up with Marcel to hear about his introduction to rap through an elementary school project, leaving messages rapping through the phone to Soulja Boy,...

Today's episode features Nicky Chulo, a prolific graphic designer and art director currently stationed at Atlantic Records. Nicky joins us fresh off the flight from LA to introduce the tight, dynamic duo that is producer Rags and lyricist Mike Strong, as well as the Luchador mask-wearing rapper Isai Morales. We dive into Marcel Allens' latest release as he manifests "Dinner Wit Hov," float off wit...

We're back with Part Two of 8.2 featuring the legendary, New Jersey-bred rapper, singer, producer, and Sundance Award-winning director Topaz Jones. Topaz introduces an Atlanta wordsmith with skills beyond his years named Marco Plus, as well as Louisiana's own Quadry. We explore the UK with a smooht offering  from Narissha, break into the many dimensions of NeONE The Wonderer, get introspective wit...

We're back with the legendary, New Jersey-bred rapper, singer, producer, and Sundance Award-winning director Topaz Jones. Topaz introduces an Atlanta wordsmith with skills beyond his years named Marco Plus, as well as Louisiana's own Quadry. We explore the UK with a smooht offering  from Narissha, break into the many dimensions of NeONE The Wonderer, get introspective with Yaya Bey, amongst much m...

NOT 97 is back! This is part two of the debut episode of Season Eight featuring Neena Roe, a reporter at Billboard Magazine as well as a up & coming singer/songwriter. Neena introduces two young, genre-bending artists from her hometown of Detroit: Daniel Hex and Sam Austins. We find peace with Daniel Aged, explore the evolution of UK jazz with Venna, and introduce the boundary pushing sounds of so...

NOT 97 is back! This is part one of the debut episode of Season Eight featuring Neena Roe, a reporter at Billboard Magazine as well as a up & coming singer/songwriter. Neena introduces two young, genre-bending artists from her hometown of Detroit: Daniel Hex and Sam Austins. We find peace with Daniel Aged, explore the evolution of UK jazz with Venna, and introduce the boundary pushing sounds of so...

It's the Season Seven finale episode featuring the one and only Dominque Maldonado, a director of A&R at Warner Music & the founder of the Leaders of the New Cool concert series.   Dominique comes correct with two hip hop offerings — South Carolina up & comer Lul Bob & his testimony “the real definition of fake” as well as the masterful lyricism of Brooklyn’s own Akai Solo.   We get the exclusive...

On today's episode we welcome to the roundtable Donna C, the influential Editorial Director at Audiomack.  Donna introduces us to Fielded & her unapologetic reflections of love, as well as a playful delivery from Philly newcomer NxG. We explore the far-reaching French scene through Kazy Lambist & Fhin. New York native Araya proves his pop star destiny & Paris Texas blows us away with their explosi...

We're back in London for the second week in a row with Jamz Supernova ~ the influential BBC Radio 1XTRA DJ & Future Bounce label owner! Jamz introduces us to the genre defying sounds of Frank Leone as well as dynamic, experimental delivery from George Riley. We dig deep into the UK scene with offering from Sad Night Dynamite, Noya Rao, Bellah, & Rochelle Jordan. Plus we explore the Kill Bill-esque...

On today's episode of Not 97 we take a virtual trip across the pond to London and link up with Hayley Louisa Brown & Sam Butler, the creative force & power couple behind London’s Brick Magazine. Hayley introduces a beautiful offering from an artist representing her own namesake, while Sam puts us on to a sobering single from UK lyricist Berwyn. We explore the London scene further with an impressiv...

Today's episode features Layla Mustafa, a music marketing & brand partnerships professional with years of experience from The Fader to RCA Records.   Layla introduces Courtnie’s playful, standout single “What’s Up,” as well as a sync-ready offering from Zakeel.   We hit Jersey & explore the intricate lyricism of Chris Patrick & bounce in Providence with Nino Francis. Casper pushes Drake’s influenc...

Today's episode is very rare — featuring the notoriously elusive Kenny Fresh, founder of the influential independent record label Fresh Selects. Kenny is known for discovering & ushering in the careers of SiR, Kahdja Bonet, Charlotte Dos Santos, Braxton Cook, and more. Kenny premieres two unreleased Fresh Selects singles on the show: one from a retro-future sounding duo named Figmore, as well as a...

Our last episode of the longest year ever — 7.4 featuring Al D, the founder of Move Forward Music, Not 97's exclusive live streaming partner.  Al comes correct with Brooklyn’s own Rome Streetz as well as a playful delivery from producer & multi instrumentalist St Panther.  We explore the range of sounds coming from Tennessee from Memphis’s Talibah Safiya to Nashville’s Chuck iNDigo.  Genesis intro...

Today's episode features the influential blogger turned talent manager Tim Larew, best known for championing Boston’s budding music scene, and ushering in the careers of Cousin Stizz, Cam Meekins, Michael Christmas, OGsWAGGERDICK, and more. Tim comes through with an anthemic offering from a new artist named Rude Cat, as well as puts us on to Boston’s newest up-and-comer Mulah Mitch. We premier the...

Today's episode is a family affair — featuring influential artist and producer Ivy Sole. Ivy joins us fresh off the release of her explosive single “Southpaw” — the driving force of her upcoming EP of the same name. The track was released late last month with a NOT 97 produced video that we’ll discuss at the end of the episode. Ivy admits her love for raunchy RnB with Davionne’s “Woah There” — and...

This is the debut episode of Season Seven featuring the one and only Alex Sowinski of influential Toronto jazz trio BadBadNotGood & the progressive multidimensional project Arrangement. Alex introduces an ear catching track from Felicia Douglass, as well as a raw progressive delivery from British-Ghanaian soul singer and producer Andrew Ashong. We introduce South Africa’s Filah Lah Lah and her bre...

In solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and in support of our community, we pushed the season six finale back until today. Before you listen to this episode we encourage you to research and donate to organizations dedicated to uplifting and empowering black communities and voices. We encourage you to sign petitions and contact your local elected officials to defund the police and hold r...

On our latest edition of Not 97 quarantine edition — recorded live on Twitch — we're joined by Andrew Barber, the founder and owner of Chicago’s wildly influential music blog Fake Shore Drive, as well as a manager, producer, curator, and more. Andrew did what he does best and shed light on two of Chicago’s most exciting up and comer — DAWEIRDO & Chris Crack. We explore new sounds from across the w...

We're back with another edition of Not 97's Quarantine Sessions, recorded live on our Twitch account. Today's episode features Sidney Madden, an influential editor and producer at NPR Music. Sidney introduces a powerful unreleased track from Kayla Steen. We dive into the sounds of two budding African music scenes with a dance-ready delivery from Ghana’s Odartei and an infectious single from Nigeri...

Settling into our new normal, we're back with another episode recorded live on Twitch featuring Kei Henderson, a prolific figure in Atlanta’s music scene, a Grammy award winning manager for her work with 21 savage, and the president of Since The 80s. Kei introduces Dead Cassettes and their explosive genre bending-sound on the unreleased song "RNA in our DNA," as well as 16-year old Atlanta artist...

Today’s episode is unlike any we’ve ever released. As the world battles the Coronavirus, we weren’t able to record as normal this week. Instead we recorded this episode live on Twitch and were joined by Melanie McClain, Secretely Group’s Publishing A&R. Forgive the shoddy audio, shaky connection, and any other hiccups you may hear — the music goes on. Melanie introduced Serena Isioma, a captivatin...