Heavy Rotation: Tamar Kali

 Her deep sultry voice, acoustic skills, and warrior stance is enough to knock you out your seat. Brooklyn Native Tamar Kali is an alternative rock singer whose roots lie in the hands of punk and hip hop. Many know Tamar as the poster child of award-winning documentary 'Afro-punk' which captured her life along with a handful of other minorities in the Caucasian and male dominated punk scene on film. However, formerly fronting two bands; Funkface and Song of Seven and singing back-up for legendary duo Outkast she was already a seasoned performer. In addition, she writes her own material tackling serious themes such as feminism, relationships, depression, alienation, and much more. During the documentary Kali explains how her outer appearance consisting of plenty tattoos, piercings, and shaved hairstyles are an extension of both punk and African culture. Needless to say I am inspired.

Tamar Kali's latest album 'Black Bottom' is an aggressive rock & roll compilation with a soulful twist that reflects a very turbulent period in her adulthood. This bittersweet musical diary speaks to everyone out there going through internal crisis. The intro song 'Pearl' which is my favorite touches on the hardship of looking for love as a woman: "What is freedom? What is love? Always some string attached some fucking catch. Can't deal in dealing with no integrity." Girrrllll tell em. Visit Tamar's official website Tamar-kali.bandcamp.com to hear the full EP and order a copy. You won't be sorry.