This piece is a part of the Spotify Frequency series, where we highlight some of the most prominent voices helping rewrite the narrative on Black music and culture. Learn more about Spotify's Frequency and all of their featured artists here.
Black music is @#$%&! important! For some, the discipline is a form of self-discovery, an outlet to express emotions, process feelings, and relay personal experiences in new ways. For others, it’s a place to find solace, tap into a relatable voice, or even a space to disconnect from reality for a moment and just turn up.
As the backbone of so many well-known genres like Rock, Electronic & Dance, and Country, Black musicians have always played an integral part in progressing the sound of music generation after generation. Despite these deep roots in popular music, we still see artists marginalized and siloed into specific categories that only reflect certain aspects of a culture that is so rich and diverse–see Tyler, the Creator’s 2020 Grammy win for a recent example.
It’s 2023, and Black musicians are still displaying an ability to stretch their talents and create dynamic sounds, restructuring the makeup of so many genres in the process.
One artist who makes it clear that they are more than meets the eye is Connie Constance. Born in Watford, Constance is an eccentric force quickly rising into the mainstream, becoming known for her unbridled musical passion and unapologetic sense of self. The indie-punk rocker is focused on carving out her own path, championing a new perspective of feminism and black imagery through her unique mixture of soft melody and head-banging bass lines.
Her goal isn’t to make you comfortable. In fact, it may be the exact opposite. With the release of her latest project Miss Power, Constance has established herself as part of a new guard actively redefining the fabric of music and showing that Black women can rock out just as hard as anybody.
Recognizing the obvious influence Black artists like Constance have on music and the culture at large, Spotify created its signature Frequency content brand, a global initiative designed to support artists who are unapologetically changing the face of the game.
"Often times when we talk about Rock music, Black folks, and Black women in particular, are left out of the conversation," notes Ayanna McNeil, Spotify's Marketing Manager for North America. "Spaces like Frequency allow us to amplify and reclaim the work Black artists have and continue to do across all genres. Artists like Connie Constance are the embodiment of building on top of what was and creating what will be— the future of Black expression."
Launched in 2021, Spotify's Frequency focuses on celebrating Black art and culture in all its forms, both on and off the popular streaming platform. From supporting community spaces like Black Market Flea to producing docu-series like Free Studio and Sunday Dinner, Frequency is committed to highlighting Black artists pioneering new waves across multiple genres while also creating a space for conversation and advocacy on a larger scale.
We caught up with Miss Power herself to talk about her musical perspective, advice for her younger self, and what impact projects like Frequency have on the culture as a whole.
How would you describe the music you make?
Faery bitch rock.
Who do you make music for?
I make it for all the gremlins, trolls, and fae folk out there that want to party.
Which aspects of your life serve the most inspiration when creating music?
How I’m feeling in these moments and how I feel about the world. It’s beauty, and it’s tragedy. The corrupt, the disrespect but often the love and the power we can all access given the chance.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
Be even weirder! You’ll find your people.
Who is Miss Power? What emotions does she embody? How does she appear in the music you create?
I am her when I’m at my best and when I’m at my worst. It’s her that keeps me going. She is fury, drama, mischief, mayhem, and a firm grasp of your hand as you’re running through a festival to see your favorite band. She is in full force when I perform. And a glass of wine when I write.
Why do you think it’s so significant that a black artist is making alt-punk rock music?
[It’s significant] because we’re so good at it, actually. It’s natural to us. We have a lot to say, but also because we deserve to if we want to. And without a doubt, to inspire the next generation of artists to be even more experimental with their genres. To break the idea of what black music sounds like. To help eliminate the idea that music has a color at all.
Knowing that Frequency is a content brand on Spotify that celebrates the future of Black expression, what do you think your expression offers to the world?
I think I’m here to disturb you. But I’m also here to party and to make people feel as free as I do when I’m on stage.
Check out Connie Constance and other talented Black artists on the Frequency content hub only on Spotify.
