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The Arts Beat is a weekly deep-dive into Memphis arts, music, dance, theater, fashion, film and events. Keep scrolling for a roundup of the best arts and culture stories from the week. Have a story idea? Send it to eperry@dailymemphian.com.
The first Arts Beat playlist featured music from Memphis-area artists released from January to April.
The second edition features music from Memphis artists released from May through the end of August, just in time for 901 Day.
Stream the playlist at the bottom of this article.
KIRBY
KIRBY — a native of Southaven — released her first album in four years, “Miss Black America,” on Friday, Aug. 29. The singer-songwriter is also an alumna of the Stax Music Academy.
Short for “Mississippi Black America,” the album features Mississippi rapper Big K.R.I.T. and Akeem Ali. It spans blues, soul and funk.
Big K.R.I.T. is one of the Overton Park Shell’s ticketed Shell Yeah! concerts, with a date scheduled for Sept. 18. Akeem Ali held a concert in Minglewood Plaza’s 1884 Lounge in July.
Click here to read The Daily Memphian interview with KIRBY about the album’s inspiration.
Juicy J
Also in August, Three 6 Mafia member Juicy J released two albums. The first, “Head On Swivel,” is a 20-track rap album featuring artists including Project Pat, Wiz Khalifa, Denzel Curry and OJ The Juicemane.
Later in the month, Juicy J released his second jazz album in the past two years. “Caught Up In This Illusion” is a joint album with Detroit bassist and composer Endea Owens.
The mostly instrumental album includes contributions from Memphis jazz saxophonist Kenneth Whalum, as well as rapper Black Thought. Jazz organist and pianist Cory Henry is featured on several songs.
Emi Secrest
Memphis-native R&B and jazz singer Emi Secrest released her album “Colors of Love” in July. The Overton High and University of Memphis alumna has been a background vocalist for artists including Christina Aguilera, Kanye West, Macy Gray and John Legend.
“Colors of Love” is executive-produced by fellow Memphis-to-Los Angeles transplant, drummer Stanley Randolph.
Secrest was featured on three songs on Juicy J’s 2024 rap/jazz album.
She can be seen in concert in Memphis at The Green Room at Crosstown Arts as part of Tonya Dyson’s “Welcome to Neosoulville: Live” series on Sept. 6.
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Isabella&Sebastian
Pop-rock duo Isabella&Sebastian is composed of Memphians Isabella DeFi, 20, and Sebastian Stephens, 13.
The duo released its debut album “Is Anybody Listening?” in July.
DeFir is the vocalist, while Stephens plays bass, guitar, keys and drums.
DeFir began singing at age 5; by age 6, Stephens was playing the drums, as well as the bass and guitar.
The band has performed at Grind City Brewing, a Memphis Grizzlies game at FedExForum, Bartlett’s live music series and other venues.
Click here to read about Isabella&Sebastian’s genesis and the goals of its members.
Lukah
South Memphis rapper Lukah teamed up with East Coast DJ and producer Statik Selektah for the June album “A Lost Language Found.”
The album features fellow Memphis rapper 8Ball, as well as rappers Killer Mike and Bun B. The closing track features Memphis soul group Adajyo.
Lukah is scheduled to perform Saturday, Sept. 13, in Overton Park Shell’s free concert series. That performance is set to include Hope Clayburn and DJ Capital A.
Click here to read The Daily Memphian’s interview with Lukah.
Degenerate Breakfast
Also in June, five-piece band Degenerate Breakfast released its self-titled debut album. University of Memphis students comprise the band: Four are Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music majors, while one is a philosophy major. The alternative/punk band includes blues, jazz and folk influences.
In addition to the band’s own milestone, the album represents a milestone for the U of M. It is the first full-length album that was recorded in the U of M’s Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center.
The band’s past concerts have included the 2024 Mempho Music Festival and the 2025 Cooper-Young Porch Fest, in addition to dates at Havenhaus and Growlers.
Zoë Dominguez
In May, Nashville native Zoë Dominguez graduated from Rhodes College with a double major in English and urban studies. She also released her debut album, “Out the House.”
Dominguez, who was attracted to Memphis’ history of activism, said the album marked the conclusion of her college experience and was written over four years.
Its songs include acoustic-folk, modern indie-rock and punk-rock tracks.
In Nashville, Dominguez was the frontwoman for post-punk band Queens of Noise.
Read more about Dominguez, including why she’s sticking around in Memphis, in a Daily Memphian interview.
Key Glock
Multi-platinum Memphis rapper Key Glock released his album “Glockaveli” in May. He released an extended version of the album with three bonus tracks the same week, and a deluxe version adding 10 more tracks on Friday, Aug. 29.
“Glocakaveli” is a nod to Tupac Shakur, who used the name Makaveli during his rap career.
Like the vast majority of Key Glock’s music outside of his joint releases with Young Dolph, “Glockaveli” has no featured artists.
Key Glock is the cousin of the late rapper Young Dolph.
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