• Home
  • Music Journalism
  • Training
  • Marketing
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Menu

Grant Brydon

Music journalism, training & marketing.
  • Home
  • Music Journalism
  • Training
  • Marketing
  • Blog
  • Contact

Noname: The Value Of Honesty

October 25, 2016 in Music Journalism

“Pain. I seem to have an affection, a kind of sweet-tooth for it.” - Toni Morrison, Jazz

Chicago’s Fatimah Warner is a human being before anything else. The fact that she’s also one of the most exciting new voices in rap music won’t get in the way of that. From her chosen moniker, Noname, to her conversational tone of voice when rapping and an aversion to spotlight, she’s entirely relatable to a generation of people who don’t feel comfortable “stunting for the ‘Gram” and forcing themselves outwards. She is the comforting voice that reminds us that sometimes it’s OK to not be OK.

The 25-year-old rarely does “awkward interviews”, so even the way she interrupts to make sure she knows my name before we progress into conversation, is a reminder of a very human interaction - rather than the cold, press factory that’s often built between labels, PRs, the media and well conditioned artists.

It’s the morning after her debut headline show in New York, which she downplays as “fun” and “dope” despite rave reviews from attendees online - she also characteristically omits the fact that double-platinum rapper J. Cole came through as a fan, and had his picture taken with her. “I always get nervous [before shows], I’m very anxious,” she admits, despite having found her voice live at Chicago’s YOUmedia open mic events before committing to record. “But then I’m never nervous on stage. Only an hour before.”

Her debut mixtape, 'Telefone', is a candid and open affair that offers an emotional spectrum of subject matter spanning everything from an imagined relationship between a mother and her aborted baby, to fear of police brutality. It’s not surprising then, that some of the tracks take an enormous amount of courage to deliver to an audience. “I think the most difficult song to perform, emotionally, is probably ‘Casket Pretty’,” she says, of the song where she expresses a reality in which her friends are one step away from having their lives taken by police officers. “I really love and hate performing that song.” she continues. “[Mixtape opener] ’Yesterday’ is sometimes difficult to perform. But outside of that everything is very enjoyable. Even those moments are fun in a different way, it’s more cathartic, like a healing thing.”

Read via Clash Magazine...

Tags: Noname, Telefone
Prev / Next

Blog

Keep up to date with all of my latest articles, case studies, projects and exclusive content...


Latest Posts

Blog
Joe Kay: Celebrating Six Years Of Soulection Radio
about a year ago
D.R.A.M: Good Vibes Only
about a year ago
Clash Picks The Best Mixtapes Of 2016
about a year ago
Clash Albums Of The Year 2016: Solange 'A Seat At The Table'
about a year ago
Clash Next Wave: Ella Mai
about a year ago
Clash Next Wave: Knucks
about a year ago
Clash Next Wave: Léks Rivers
about a year ago
Danny Brown: This Is The Way, Step Inside (Clash 102 Cover Story)
about a year ago
Swizz Beatz: Free The Artists, Free The World
about a year ago
DJ Mustard: "Back To The Music."
about a year ago

Tweets

  • Grant Brydon
    RT @RWDmag: .@Migos flex their upscale lifestyles on new single 'Supastars'. https://t.co/7ynpCxB65n https://t.co/ugueRVi249
    about 3 months ago
  • Grant Brydon
    RT @RWDmag: .@DamierGenesis joins forces with @Evidence for new tape 'Aren't U Glad You're U?' https://t.co/BuJ8ir1hMh https://t.co/aL8PTbVgee
    about 3 months ago
  • Grant Brydon
    RT @clash_music: "I'm balling on the low!" Catching up with the irrepressible @wikset -> https://t.co/fptgDs1WgP https://t.co/7s9EMGwbHh
    about 3 months ago
  • Grant Brydon
    RT @RWDmag: .@Drake drops two new tracks during 'Scary Hours'. https://t.co/EbGI3qqxBz https://t.co/MjtrObJVe3
    about 3 months ago
  • Grant Brydon
    RT @RWDmag: .@NipseyHussle reunites with @YG for new single 'Last Time I Checc'd'. https://t.co/p45Q82UPUN https://t.co/c1J9dNwOwu
    about 3 months ago