Their talent is undeniable. Their contribution to the culture is indispensable. They're the Black women in our playlists, on our screens and in our feeds. On Ladies First, Element Everest-Blanks talks with one of these remarkable women about their lives, their music and how they made their moment happen. Because it's not about who's next. It's about who's now.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Valerie June — an artist whose sound, spirit and creativity continue to push music in new directions.
Music has always been in her blood, starting by her father’s side when she was a child and building to the remarkable career she has today. June creates a sound that is unmistakably her own, blending blues, gospel, folk, soul and country. She has a gift for honoring the musical traditions that came before her while reimagining them through her own lens.
During our conversation, we discussed her life, her family and her music, as well as what happens when you take a classic and give it a completely new perspective, like she did on her recently released Brighter Blue EP.
