Settle into the fall season with some new Memphis music.
Alexis Jade’s modern country music was born from childhood memories with her grandmother, sitting on her porch and singing songs. An old soul with a fresh voice, Alexis Jade has been writing songs since she was young, with musical influences spanning multiple generations. Inspired by the powerful women who paved the path of country music, she finds confidence center stage as the lead singer of her band, Alexis Jade and the Gemstones.
She signed with Blue Tom Entertainment in the fall of 2021 to release her first solo single, “Return to Sender.” In 2022, Jade showcased at AmericanaFest in Nashville with Music Export Memphis at the Pure Memphis Happy Hour. By November of last year, she recorded and self produced her debut EP, With Love, Alexis Jade, at Memphis recording studio Easley & McCain. The album showcases Jade’s knack for rhythm and lyric, and is inspired by “a collection of letters reflecting on her experiences with the complexity of love.”
First Up: “Return to Sender”
Mak Ro is a Memphis-based duo of Filipino-American cousins, Kris Ruaro and Eric Makapugay. Although they’ve been best friends their entire lives, their journey as a musical duo started in 2018. Previously creating music separately for several years, they joined forces to orchestrate a soulful blend of pop, R&B, and rock music. Makapugay, well-versed with various musical instruments, takes charge of the instrumental production while Ruaro leads the duo in vocals.
The team started developing tracks together long-distance, which presented them with several hurdles. “Growing up, we experienced a lack of Asian representation in the music and entertainment industry, so it was hard to visualize ourselves being in that position.” Since their first release in 2019, Mak Ro has embodied what it means to “grind” in Memphis, having independently released fourteen singles and their EP, Topanga. Through hard work, support, and determination, the duo says “we are exactly where we need to be.”
This fall, you can catch them on their first tour as part of MEM’s 2023 Ambassador Access cohort.
First Up: “Just We,” featuring Jordan Occasionally
Born and raised in Memphis, Raneem Imam is an Arab-American singer/songwriter, fusing R&B, pop, and alternative genres. Imam considers herself a “genre-bending songstress” who looks to consistently push boundaries and experiment with the creative process. She draws inspiration from the complex and deep emotions experienced in everyday life, her goal being to craft songs “that help us all get through another day.”
Imam has long been dedicated to celebrating the rich culture that Memphis has to offer. Having worked at multiple recording studios in Memphis, like Royal Studios, Young Avenue Sound, Music + Arts, and Magnetic Recording Studio, she’s no stranger to the recording and production process. “As an Arab-American female artist, I have to be three steps ahead of the game, and I want to learn the whole shebang.” Imam co-produced her first mixtape DIALOGUE. in 2017, and debuted her solo single Wise Up in 2018. She released her first EP album, Peace of Mind, in 2021.
First Up: “Feel Bad”
Tangela Mathis is a hip-hop and R&B producer, singer/songwriter, rapper, and visual artist who embodies the spirit of Memphis. Self-dubbed “God’s Little Radio,” she has been involved in the arts since she was a child. Dedicating to fully expressing her human experience, especially as a woman, her music is effervescent and enticing.
Tangela studied under Memphis soul legends at STAX Music Academy from a young age, touring the country and representing her city. She received a full ride to Berklee College of Music, and in 2019 she graduated with a degree in electronic production and design and vocal performance. Since then, she’s been on the hustle – in 2021, she released her first single, “WARM” and her debut EP SPLENDID MIND. Tangela showcased at the North by Northeast (NXNE) Music Festival in Toronto, Canada in June, and she’ll go on her first tour this fall as part of the MEM 2023 Ambassador Access cohort.
First Up: “WARM”
Telisu is a kpop and rap artist from Memphis who smoothly incorporates Black and Asian cultures in her music. Multi-disciplined, Telisu is a classically trained ballerina and brand consultant for various artistic industries, including music, film, television, and fashion.
She released her first single, “Fortune Cookie,” in 2016, followed by “I’m a God” in 2017. The “I’m a God” music video, directed by Quintin Lamb, won Indie Memphis’s Hometowner music video award.
First Up: “Fortune Cookie 포춘 쿠키”
Want to see all of these artists and more live? Check out the lineup for MEM’s Tambourine Bash and grab your tickets here!