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. Every episode, 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.

Few people embody the spirit of independent artistry quite like Jordan Patterson. Born in North Carolina and raised in Los Angeles, she's built a reputation for blending soul, folk and indie influences into music that’s both intimate and fearless. Patterson's songwriting is poetic, her voice is unmistakable, and every song feels like an invitation into a deeply personal story. Whether she’s exploring love, identity, healing or self-discovery, she creates music that lingers long after the final note. In this episode, Patterson explores the journey that shaped her artistry, from her Southern roots to finding her creative voice in Los Angeles, as well as the inspiration behind her latest music and what it means to build a career rooted in authenticity rather than expectation. She discusses the stories behind her songs, navigating the music industry as a Black woman and how she continues to define success on her own terms — one beautifully crafted song at a time.

Few people embody the spirit of independent artistry quite like Jordan Patterson. Born in North Carolina and raised in Los Angeles, she's built a reputation for blending soul, folk and indie influences into music that’s both intimate and fearless. Patterson's songwriting is poetic, her voice is unmistakable, and every song feels like an invitation into a deeply personal story. Whether she’s exploring love, identity, healing or self-discovery, she creates music that lingers long after the final note. 
In this episode, Patterson explores the journey that shaped her artistry, from her Southern roots to finding her creative voice in Los Angeles, as well as the inspiration behind her latest music and what it means to build a career rooted in authenticity rather than expectation. She discusses the stories behind her songs, navigating the music industry as a Black woman and how she continues to define success on her own terms — one beautifully crafted song at a time.

Jordan Patterson

Allison Russell joins us to explore the journey that shaped the artist she is today, tracing her career from its earliest chapters to the elevated space she now occupies. What unfolded was a conversation that added an entirely new layer to what many think they know about her.Russell is perfectly comfortable with her career being defined by constant change because, for her, evolution isn’t something to resist; it’s something to embrace. Every song, every collaboration and every new chapter is another invitation into the community she’s intentionally building. She has a remarkable ability to create tribes wherever she goes, welcoming people with the stroke of her pen and reminding us that music has the power to connect us long before we realize we belong.Our conversation went beyond the music. She talked about where daily inspiration comes from, what it means to continue creating with purpose and the responsibility of building a path that someone else will one day have the courage to walk.Russell understands that legacy isn’t measured only by awards or albums, but by the doors you leave open for those who follow. It’s a conversation about artistry, humanity and the quiet work of making sure the next generation has somewhere to begin.

Allison Russell joins us to explore the journey that shaped the artist she is today, tracing her career from its earliest chapters to the elevated space she now occupies. What unfolded was a conversation that added an entirely new layer to what many think they know about her.
Russell is perfectly comfortable with her career being defined by constant change because, for her, evolution isn’t something to resist; it’s something to embrace. Every song, every collaboration and every new chapter is another invitation into the community she’s intentionally building. She has a remarkable ability to create tribes wherever she goes, welcoming people with the stroke of her pen and reminding us that music has the power to connect us long before we realize we belong.
Our conversation went beyond the music. She talked about where daily inspiration comes from, what it means to continue creating with purpose and the responsibility of building a path that someone else will one day have the courage to walk.
Russell understands that legacy isn’t measured only by awards or albums, but by the doors you leave open for those who follow. It’s a conversation about artistry, humanity and the quiet work of making sure the next generation has somewhere to begin.

Allison Russell

Acclaimed cellist, singer, composer and self-proclaimed “orchestral nerd” Kelsey Lu, one of today’s most captivating musical storytellers, sits down with us to discuss how their classical training laid the foundation for her artistry, why storytelling has always been at the heart of their work and how collaborations across genres helped them discover their own artistic voice. It’s an honest conversation about curiosity, creativity and the courage to evolve.

Acclaimed cellist, singer, composer and self-proclaimed “orchestral nerd” Kelsey Lu, one of today’s most captivating musical storytellers, sits down with us to discuss how their classical training laid the foundation for her artistry, why storytelling has always been at the heart of their work and how collaborations across genres helped them discover their own artistic voice.
It’s an honest conversation about curiosity, creativity and the courage to evolve.

Kelsey Lu

Some artists write songs. Mereba writes memories.In this conversation, the singer-songwriter reflected on the moment she first fell in love with writing, the profound influence of her father and brother on the artist she has become, and the deep connection she still feels to her mother’s Milwaukee roots. She also opened up about one of the most personal songs in her catalog, a record many listeners overlook but one she admits is still difficult to hear. The result is an intimate conversation about family, identity and the stories that continue to shape one of music’s most thoughtful voices.

Some artists write songs. Mereba writes memories.
In this conversation, the singer-songwriter reflected on the moment she first fell in love with writing, the profound influence of her father and brother on the artist she has become, and the deep connection she still feels to her mother’s Milwaukee roots. She also opened up about one of the most personal songs in her catalog, a record many listeners overlook but one she admits is still difficult to hear. 
The result is an intimate conversation about family, identity and the stories that continue to shape one of music’s most thoughtful voices.

Mereba

Tiana Major9 joins to discuss her latest project, November Scorpio, a collection of songs that showcases the British singer-songwriter’s signature blend of soul, vulnerability and masterful storytelling. Best known for her breakout single “Collide” from the Queen &amp; Slim soundtrack, Tiana shared the stories behind standout tracks like “Shook Ones” featuring Yebba and “Energy” with Keyon Harrold. We also talked about a missed flight that cost her the chance to meet Beyoncé and Rihanna, and how an unexpected vacation sparked one of her favorite creative collaborations. It’s an honest conversation about artistry, timing and trusting the journey.

Tiana Major9 joins to discuss her latest project, November Scorpio, a collection of songs that showcases the British singer-songwriter’s signature blend of soul, vulnerability and masterful storytelling. 
Best known for her breakout single “Collide” from the Queen & Slim soundtrack, Tiana shared the stories behind standout tracks like “Shook Ones” featuring Yebba and “Energy” with Keyon Harrold. We also talked about a missed flight that cost her the chance to meet Beyoncé and Rihanna, and how an unexpected vacation sparked one of her favorite creative collaborations. It’s an honest conversation about artistry, timing and trusting the journey.