Eva Davenport

We’re 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 her’s ‘since the beginning’ she tells us. You may remember our review of her recent single titled ‘Trill‘, 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 ‘Trill’ 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 ‘Letters To Self’ in August of 2019 and has since been busy gaining a loyal fanbase that spans different continents. She’s now returned with her newest musical offering in the form of single ‘Trill’ 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 70’s funk & disco to rock n roll to top hits 50s – today to 90’s/ 200s R&B and more! I’ve 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 I’m living that dream, working as a performing/ recording artist under Eva Davenport Music. It’s a happy challenge because although I’m 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!

What’s 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 who’ve 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 I’m taking advantage of the biggest opportunity possible and she is one of my idols.

Favourite concert you’ve been to?

Oompa’s 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 ‘Feeling the Aura”

Favourite show you’ve 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 ‘God Bless America’ at Fenway Park for the Red Sox vs. Yankee’s 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 Women’s 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 ‘Letter’s to Self’ 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 ‘Trill’ 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 I’d like to be traveling and performing worldwide. I’d like to know people from all over and share music with them! I’d 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 doesn’t 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 she’s releasing a sultry single that otherwise might not have surfaced for ages.

Acting on sheer creative instinct, Davenport shares her song “Trill” this afternoon (July 14) via a virtual release party on Instagram and Facebook.

“I usually do most everything by feeling — something bigger than me, outside of myself gives me the thought that it’s time to release music and shows me what to release,” she tells Vanyaland.

Initially intended to be part of a different, forthcoming project, “Trill” was written and recorded in late 2018, but remained under wraps as Davenport promoted last year’s 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 “Trill” is purely a “skin-to-skin” jam. Both are inviting, and both convey a release of sorts, but this time around, Davenport’s outpouring of love only faces outward.

“‘Trill’ is definitely a different side of me — in my debut EP Letters To Self the goal was to introduce myself to the world and share what’s closest to my soul: Music, love, and inspiring others to follow their own passions,” she explains. “This 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 ‘I’m falling for you.’”

Tune in to “Trill” and peep all the details for Davenport’s 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 EP Letters to Self, out this week. The result is 100 percent Davenport’s mature self-realization, with none of the love-driven drama that singer-songwriters often lean on when making their debut. “Lesson” in particular reads like a page ripped from an early diary entry, while EP opener “Handle It” 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.

“I have a crazy amount of notebooks and have been writing songs since I learned how to use a pen,” she tells Vanyaland. “For 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.”

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 Boston’s 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.

“I think it’s 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,” Davenport shares.

Brick by brick, song by song, set by set, this mogul’s already well on her way to building a kingdom. Wait until you see how well she handles it. - Victoria Wasylak

Looking at Eva Davenport’s jam-packed virtual performance calendar, there’s no doubt that this R&B singer’s as rock steady and focused on her vision as she was when she wrote her 2019 EP, Letters to Self. In the former Berklee student’s track “High Like This,” she sings, “I’m 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.” Now 23, Eva is already working on her next project with the release of her single, “Trill.”

Eva describes “Trill” as a sexy R&B bop, written from a woman’s 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 “Bang Bang,” 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, “I am finding it super difficult to connect with friends and fans.” She decided to thank her supporters “for all they’ve done to encourage [her]” by privately releasing the track to her [Dreamcatchers] fan list ahead of the single’s wider July 14th release.

Music has always been a peaceful way for Eva to share her thoughts and feelings with others, and vice versa. “Music means happiness and understanding to me,” she says. “I turn to music anytime I am overwhelmed, upset, emotionally drained, happy, turnin’ up. Music is truly the heartbeat of the world.” 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 she’s written in over the years.

When Allston Pudding asked her what she was planning on writing about next, she says, “I 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 I’ve ever felt or experienced in a conscious way.”

Not only has Eva been performing in festivals like The Great Lockdown, fundraisers like Activating ARTivism, and an R&B Verses Battle with Nancia, she’s 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 Eva’s 2019 summer series, Artz Underground, which “quickly became a consistently sold-out event with some of the most talented artists in Boston and beyond blessing the stages,” Eva says. “I 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!”

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 Davenport’s mailing list to listen to “Trill,” 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 “nothing” to “very little,” but in the case of Boston’s 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 “best of Boston” publication, we’ve selected 20 of our favorite homegrown tracks released this year.

Austin Fair, ‘SPECTACULAR’

Austin Fair starts his song “SPECTACULAR” with a confession that should come as a shock to precisely no one. “Honestly this rap shit kinda easy,” 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 — really good albums — at his current, alarming pace, that impression of indifference isn’t only warranted, it’s 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 “SPECTACULAR.” That is, until his next effort’s excellence eventually dwarfs his work to date.
Ava Sophia (feat. Tashawn Taylor), ‘Love Language’

617Sessions’ 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 “Love Language.” 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. It’s an offer only a love-scorned cynic could turn down. Heart eyes, motherfucker.
Billy Dean Thomas (feat. S’natra), ‘Trump vs. Biden’

It wouldn’t have been overkill for Billy Dean Thomas’ tune “Trump vs. Biden” 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 Thomas’ credit, though, the song never loses its cool; it just observes and weighs the odds. A modern tale of survival, “Trump Vs. Biden” is a first-person piece worth citing in future history books.


CakeSwagg, ‘Ferb & Phineas’

It’s time to phone the (surely retired) creators of Inspector Gadget and tell them their catchphrase helped contribute to one of the year’s most explosive rap songs. Even after centuries, one of the finest party tricks in the art world remains combining two wildly unrelated topics like it’s 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 children’s show. In any other song it’d be a cute callback, but when CakeSwagg drops names, their stock rises ASAP. Yes, even for animated figments of our imagination. “Who got the juice? / I been had it,” CakeSwagg sings. “Duh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh / Inspector Gadget!”

Cliff Notez and Dephrase (feat. Latrell James), ‘Voodoo Doll’

“Voodoo Doll” 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. “You’re a voodoo doll / You don’t know who you are no more / Who you are no more” the fuzzed-out hook laments (either out of sympathy, or as a chastising cry, it’s unclear, but it’s still enough to provoke a teary-eyed reaction). A match made in heaven, a magnum opus, an emotional reckoning with your maker — call it what you want, but know “Voodoo Doll” is among the very best songs released from Boston in 2020 A.D.


Eva Davenport, ‘Trill’

Eva Davenport’s reputation in Boston is quickly erring on unproblematic and angel-voiced. Following her EP Letters To Self (which we last year dubbed “a mini self-care kit, disguised as something far cooler”), her 2020 single “Trill” 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, “Trill” is a slice of conflict-free splendor that never spoils.

Gatch, ‘Wide Open’

A late contender in the ring, Gatch’s big-band funk number “Wide Open” easily sneaks itself onto our list. It’s hard to describe the Arcitype-produced track as anything other than “groovy,” but “winking” serves as a close second; when the track waltzes from flirtatious into unabashed “comes hither” territory, it’s winking all the way with a power that takes the backseat only to the track’s saxophone solo. All the while, Gatch never utters a single unsavory word or phrase, earning it the highly-unlikely title of “2020’s randiest song you can play in a family setting.”

Genie Santiago (feat. ALGO), ‘Revelación‘

Another welcome history lesson, “Revelación” 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: “Textbooks lying / Where’s the story about them Indios? / Funny what’s been rewritten to benefit an agenda.” Much like “White Supremacy Is The Enemy,” “Revelación” isn’t as much as a “kick-back-and-listen” track as it is a “sit-up-and-take-notes” one.

Honey Cutt, ‘Vacation‘

Honey Cutt, for one, are sick of “coasting” 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 “Vacation” nails down Kaley’s acerbic wit especially well. “I’m on a vacation / From all the ‘nice guys’ / And I’m turning off my phone / And I’m throwing it in the water,” she confesses on the chorus. Her sentiments could hardly be put more plainly, but surely, somewhere, somehow, a “well-intentioned” bloke will get lost in the song’s 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, ‘Vicious Pastimes‘

We’d never call “Vicious Pastimes” a placeholder, but the truth is, any track from Boston post-punk group House of Harm’s new record of the same name could nab a slot here. Marking the band’s arrival on the international scene via Avant! Records, the entirety of Vicious Pastimes preserves the band’s moody blues like a sheet of black ice: ominous, unexpected, and most threatening in the evening hours. “Vicious Pastimes” simply balances that equation of certain drama with the most efficiency.

Latrell James, ‘Traumatized‘

The tracks that Latrell James curated for his 2020 EP Under are undoubtedly top-tier content from the Boston rapper. And yet, there’s a one-off track called “Traumatized” that creeps with an unease that sums up a year fraught with tension and terror all too well. “I’ve seen wrong / I’ve seen right / I’ve been traumatized,” he raps on the chorus, a blunt precursor to his order “You gon’ pick a side / You gon’ ride or die.” And, for better or worse (plenty of emphasis on “worse” here), Americans made their domino chain of choices that resulted in the clusterfuck of hell and hope that was 2020.

MonaVeli, ‘Space‘

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, “Space” recalls a radical approach to self-love, goal-setting, and acknowledging the stardust pumping through your veins. Clocking in at just under two minutes, “Space” sounds like a sprint, but it’s a race that MonaVeli is only running against her most worthy opponent — herself.

The Morning Herald, ‘Plus One’

The Morning Herald’s frontman Zach Leone once set out to make a song that captures a “dystopian-dinner party from the 1960’s kinda vibe.” Well, with “Plus One” 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 “real” parties are temporarily forbidden, “Plus One” has an even more sci-fi feel to it than anticipated. (What, exactly, is a “party guest” like Leone keeps mentioning?)

Oompa, ‘Closer’

“Closer” begins with a sacred recitation of a morning routine gone lopsided from a pandemic. And Oompa recites her new schedule with a semblance of….exuberance? “Woke up this morning / Alarm clock beaten by the sun / Can’t be late to work no more / Because it starts when I wake up,” she explains, relishing in the bright spots of her day, even with a nod to the impending end-times. “[The] World is almost over now” she sings on the chorus, but not in an “it’s-the-end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it-and-I-feel-fine” tone, more of an “and what of it?” way. “What to a negro is apocalypse?” she later questions on the song’s breakdown. It’s far too big a query to tackle in this edition of Oompa’s rapid-fire raps, but the subject lingers long after her final joyful bar — as it’s meant to. “Closer” is a relief and a release, but if it doesn’t move you to reflect on that pivotal question, you aren’t listening closely enough.

Red Shaydez, ‘The Recipe’

Red Shaydez always puts her “r” verbs first in life: Realign, recharge, remind people who the hell you are, repeat. “The Recipe” sets the tone of the Boston emcee’s 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. “That ain’t your car/ It’s your dad’s” she calls out, alongside mentions of rappers with Instagram followers in the 50K region who can’t draw anyone out to a show. “Yes I sound judge-y / But you tried to crush me,” she states, and frankly, she’s justified. Why mess with Boston’s queen of positivity with bogus and bullshit? There’s a final “r” in that list, after all — rip ‘em a new one.

Ricky Felix, ‘Scarlett’

The only song without lyrics to make the cut here, “Scarlett” 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 “Scarlett” 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, ‘On God‘

Just like SeeFour swears no one resembles him, no song on this list resembles anything like the airy bravado of “On God,” a piano-note-driven dive into the deep end of the music industry. “Just for your fame you gotta pay a fee / and this America, ain’t nothing free” SeeFour recites, acknowledging an industry laden with radio payola, paid playlist placements, and social media followers for sale. But “On God” 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: “You gotta like it or love it,” he raps. “Either way, I’m above it.”

Shellz, ‘Fucking With My Mind’

One-third of the Boston rapper’s massive visual EP SOULZ, Shellz’s R&B spell “Fucking With My Mind” transforms the classic push-and-pull of love into an aggravated tug of war. Fueled by an unceasing determination to make sense of men, “Fucking With My Mind” seeps with sex appeal, even though it’s an airing of pent-up romantic frustration. “I know you hate me just as much as you love me,” Shellz sings, tightening her unrelenting grasp on the metaphorical rope. As the remainder of SOULZ ultimately proves, Shellz has a grip that won’t quit, and a hold on her worth that keeps her career steadily climbing.

Telelectrix, ‘Strobe’

If all the clubs are closed, can dance-pop artists still synthesize a hit? Telelectrix unveiled their song “Strobe” 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 what’s 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, “Strobe” will stay as the guiding light to all things underground.

THA CAPITAL G, ‘White Supremacy is the Enemy‘

It’s a comment so obvious that it barely needs to be uttered — a comment that THA CAPITAL G wasn’t 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, “White Supremacy is the Enemy” speaks a truth still left unsaid among some of the nation’s most important leaders — as does the rest of its accompanying EP, I Wouldn’t 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 it’s 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 “Maker”). 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. Vanyaland’s 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 year’s 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 — new, old, signed, unsigned — that has improved or experienced “growth from one point to another over the 12 months.”

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 People’s Choice Award, presented by MusicSpace, which is described as such: “The 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 People’s Choice Award, presented by MusicSpace, is completely driven by the general public and fans. It’s also not limited to artists — if there’s a booker, promoter, manager, producer, or anyone else involved in Boston music that you want to see recognized, let us know.”

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 – PIONEER
Cliff Notez – Why the Wild Things Are
Luke Bar$ – GoodEvil
Mallcops – We Made Plans to Self-Destruct and Return to the Stars
Optic Bloom – Space Garden
Red Shaydez – Feel the Aura
Sasha Sloan – Self Portrait
Squirrel Flower – I Was Born Swimming
Saint Lyor – IF MY SINS COULD TALK
The Ballroom Thieves – Unlovely

SONG OF THE YEAR
Anjimile – “Maker”
BIA – “COVER GIRL”
Cliff Notez & Dephrase – “Voodoo Doll feat. Latrell James”
House of Harm – “Vicious Pastimes”
Jazzmyn RED – “We Gon Make It”
Luke Bar$ – “Die With Pride”
PVRIS – “Dead Weight”
Saint Lyor – “Gossip”
STL GLD – “My Block”
Squirrel Flower – “Headlights”

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Alec Hutson – “Zebra feat. Cliff Notez”
Bad Rabbits – “WWYD (What Would You Do?)”
Coral Moons – “Winnebago”
Hayley Sabella – “Flew The Nest”
Joyner Lucas – “Revenge”
Millyz – “Stay Awhile”
Parts Per Million – “2020 Vision”
Sasha Sloan – “Lies”
SuperSmashBroz – “Knew Dat feat. Luke Bar$ & Lord Felix”
Vintage Lee – “Draw 2 (Short Film)”

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
Ezekiel’s 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
BRIX’N 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 – Powerslut
Liz Bills
Tanya Donelly
Will Dailey

VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Aaron Garcia – Pillbook
Anjimile
Drew Zieff – Jake Swamp and The Pine
Ella O’Connor Williams – Squirrel Flower
Eva Davenport
Gianna Botticelli – GHOST GRL
Josh Knowles
Julie Rhodes
Tanya Donelly
Wren Gathers – 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
Atwood’s Tavern
Club Passim
Dorchester Art Project
Great Scott
Lizard Lounge
Midway Cafe
O’Brien’s 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
37’ 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 – Grayskull Booking
Brandon Matthews – ShowOff Marketing
Carl Lavin – Bowery Boston
Catherine Morris – BAMS Fest
Dustin Labbe – Crossroads Presents
Heather Timmons – TinyOak Booking
Lisa Finelli Fallon – Xperience Creative
Ned Wellbery – Leedz Edutainment
Ryan Agate – RTT Presents
Tom Bianchi – 24 Hour Concerts

MUSIC PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR
Allston Pudding
Boston Compass
DigBoston
Graduation Music
KillerBoomBox
Sound of Boston
The ARTery – 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 “Lilz” 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 – You Know What They Mean
Cliff Notez & Dephrase – Social Absence
CZARFACE – The Odd Czar Against Us
Esh & The Isolations – Idiot Fingerz
Jazzmyn RED – REDvolution
Juliana Hatfield – Sings The Police
Luke Bar$ – GoodEvil
Mallcops – We Made Plans to Self-Destruct and Return to the Stars
Millyz – Pandemic Pandemonium
Needle Play – Death by Detail

MUSIC PODCAST / RADIO SHOW OF THE YEAR
Above The Basement
Backpacks and Magazines – 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 – 91.5FM WMFO
Stuck On Stuff
The Launch Pad – JAM’N 94.5

LIVE MUSIC STREAM OF THE YEAR
TogetherAtHome Sessions – Above The Basement
BUNKER BUDS – Walter Sickert & The Army of Broken Toys
Club Passim Live Stream
Friends of Allston Great Scott Benefit – Allston Pudding & Disposable America
GroundBeat – BAMS Fest
HipStory House Party – HipStory
Isolation Tour – Will Dailey
The New Sh*t Show – Oompa
Virtual Happy Hour – Bill Janovitz
Virtual Venue – ONCE Somerville

617SESSIONS ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Juniper – “Better Days”
Red Shaydez – “Lemme Go Talk My Sh*”
Eli Olson – “By A Thread”
Yavin – “Insecurities”
Ava Sophia – “Love Language (feat. Tashawn Taylor)”
Rebuilder – “Monuments”
Prateek – “Diamonds”
Mint Green – “Changing”
Heath240 – “Secs”
Naomi Westwater – “Goodbye Asus4” - Vanyaland

When I was approached to write an article for Boston Hassle, I was elated! However, in my true ‘Libra fashion’—I then thought to myself, “I can’t decide what I want to write about so let me come up with a way to include several people and things!” Yes, I know. Indecisive. We like options, what can I say? So now we have ‘Red Shaydez Top Local Faves’ 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. We’ve 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, here’s 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 I’ve Performed at or Attended

The Hip Hop Transformation “The Bigger Picture” 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 – 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 – Jay Gatz

Cleo N ‘Nem -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

RIP’d 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 – Hopeadope

Thirst Trappin’ – Shellz feat Lord Ju



Top Performances

Billy Dean Thomas

Optic Bloom

Van Buren

SeeFour

Teeluxe

Jefe Replay



Top Projects

‘To See and Hear Hxrself’ by Ava Sophia

‘Excuse My Baggage’ by Miranda Rae

‘Declaration’ by Dalaun

‘Fiesta’ by RillaForce

‘The Purple Earth Theory’ by Najee Janey

‘Late Bloomer’ by Brandie Blaze

‘Cleo’ by Oompa

‘Free’ 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

M’Shairi

Saafyr



Top Journalists

Candace McDuffie

Arielle Gray

Vicki Wasylak

Amelia Mason

Katie Ouellette

Jeneé Osterheldt



Top DJ’s

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 could’ve 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