We caught up with Def Jam's newest signee on the eve of releasing his latest project "I Am, Because You Are." Dende talks coming up in small town Texas playing in Church choir with his family and learning how the perform from studying Baptist preachers. We discuss the emotion tax of making R&B and the essence of his music that comes from a deep yearning. Dende names his Mt. Rushmore of iconic "running" singers, and performs his standout track "Never."   © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Follow Not 97: Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We caught up with Johnstown, PA's own Eem Triplin to talk through his major label debut "Melody Of A Memory," working with the legendary DJ Dahi who executive produced the record, and how studying the art of songwriting has evolved his sound, amongst more.  Thank you to our friends at Damballa. © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Follow Not 97: Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re starting off the year joined by Toronto’s Kingo Halla. We talk the development of his sound and navigating new collaborations on his upcoming project Alchemy. He talks coming up as the youngest in a musical family, and watching his brothers pave their own paths in the industry. Going through the conservatory system and studying at Berklee, leaning into community in Toronto and more. Plus a live performance of the title track to his new album, Alchemy. © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Follow Not 97: Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the last episode of the year we catch up with the boys from the prolific jazz outfit BadBadNotGood during their marathon residency at the Blue Note. We talk through their process of writing and collaborating — most recently with Baby Rose on Slow Burn. We discuss their hometown of Toronto and the influential scene they came up in alongside Daniel Caesar, Charlotte Day Wilson, and more, the secrets to longevity as a band, and what's next for them. © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Follow Not 97: Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We caught up with Jordan Hawkins to talk through his rise from coming up in North Carolina and his early days in the church, to beginning his professional journey out in LA, making waves across the country, and living out his rock star dreams next year releasing a new project & touring his music around the world. Check out Jordan's latest single "Love So Good" out now on all platforms.  *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Follow Not 97: Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Charlotte’s own Mavi joined us on the day before releasing his latest body of work “Shadowbox,” a record that he says represents a wholly artistic pursuit, created freely without inhibition or external pressures. Mavi discusses his journey as an independent artists and the challenges, as well as the honor that goes along with that, we talk through his hometown’s impact on him and in turn his work to creating greater access to the arts for kids coming up in Charlotte, amongst more. Plus a performance of “I did” live from the studio. *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Follow Not 97: Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We sat down with LA’s Nana a few months back after the release of his 3 EP, the lead up to his latest “Are U Still There?” We talk through the West Coast’s banner year this year, the importance of visual storytelling, coming up in family of Ghanaian immigrants and the influence his parents have had on his artistry, and more. Plus a performance, live from the fire escape, of his standout “Motion.” *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Follow Not 97: Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Isaiah Huron takes his time but doesn’t over think it. On the heels of releasing his latest “I’ll Finish The Lyrics Later” we have a conversation about growing up in the church and what those early experiences taught him about performing, finding comfort in chaos, putting the art first, and embracing human error, amongst much more. *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Follow Not 97: Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tariq Al-Sabir is a producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, musical director, the list goes on. We caught up with Tariq to talk through his latest “Unlike Yesterday Today I’m Ready,” the foundation his hometown of Baltimore set for him creatively, his work as a producer and music director most notably with Dev Hynes, and more. Plus a performances of Dry Flower live from the studio. *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Follow Not 97: Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The crew from San Jose collective Peach Tree Rascals join us today on the heels of releasing their latest “LOVE, THE RASCALS.” We talk through what it takes to stay friends and collaborators navigating the ups and downs of the industry. What the viral “Mariposa” moment meant to them, at 378 million plays and counting, and the power in rebuilding from the ground up. *Not 97 is powered by The Orchard & Human Re Sources © NOT 97. All music ℗ & © their rights holders, used by NOT 97 with explicit permission. Follow Not 97: Instagram Twitter TikTok YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices