As the most eclectic genre, alternative R&B combines a variety of categories ranging from EDM and rock to soul and funk with contemporary R&B, creating an avant-garde sound. One thing about this genre is no artist sounds exactly the same. Each artist is unique, creating their own sound. Three female artists in particular have become pioneers of alternative music: FKA Twigs, Solange, and Sevdaliza.

FKA Twigs

Born as Taliah Barnett from England, FKA Twigs is a triple threat working as a singer-songwriter, dancer, and actress. She simply oozes talent and her performances are like nothing you’ve ever seen before. With vocals out of this world, she’s able to hit high notes most people can only dream of. To be honest although FKA Twigs is placed in this category of alternative R&B, she is in a genre of her own—yet to be named. If you listen to her music, you will understand what I mean. She draws upon many genres including electronic music, trip hop, R&B, and avant-garde. And her music videos are a reflection of these inspirations. She is so dedicated to bringing her ideas to life, she works to gain new skills to fulfill them like sword fighting and pole dancing! Some of her most notable works include: Figure 8, Papi Pacify, Water Me, Mothercreep, Video Girl, Pendulum, home with you, and cellophane.

Pictured below is a picture of FKA Twigs reflecting her personality through her hair, outfit, and accessories. Nothing matches, but everything somehow still works together. Most noticeable is her funky green, furry hat. Of course I had to join her in my equally stylish blue, furry hat! I first discovered FKA Twigs in 2014 on accident. I didn’t really like her music at first, but it slowly grew on me and she became definitive of my favorite kind of sound. I’m glad to see her finally get recognition for her beautiful music and amazing visuals!

FKA Twigs Instagram

Solange

Born into a family in the music industry, Solange originally began as a backup dancer for Destiny’s Child before breaking out into her musical career making music. In her most recent albums, she blends the influence of contemporary R&B together with funk, neo soul, jazz, hip hop, and psychedelic soul to form her own version of alternative R&B. Overtime Solange has grown to be known for her visuals and has even evolved into pairing her music with performance art. Her visuals in her music video and performance art pieces often focus on using minimalism and colorful monochrome themes to tell her stories. She’s inspired me to embrace the art of coupling simplism with creativity. Some of her most notable works include: Losing You, Bad Girls, I Decided, Mad, Don’t Touch My Hair, Almeda, Cranes in the Sky, and Binz.

Pictured below is Solange and I in our robes. Obviously we were relaxing together after a tiring day performing all her best songs at a concert in California. We just had to document our bonding time together in the form of a picture. I’ve always been a fan of Solange’s music when I was younger…even if I didn’t know it at the time! But I became more immersed in her music in late 2015 and been amazed ever since. I’m excited to hear her future albums and watch her future music videos!

Solange’s Instagram

Sevdaliza

Born as Sevda Alizadeh, Sevdaliza is an Iranian-Dutch singer, songwriter, and record producer. She has been known to incorporate her Iranian Persian heritage throughout her music through instruments inspired by her culture. Elements of her music incorporates electronic, trip hop, experimental pop, and avant-pop to create her unique alternative R&B sound. And although most of her music is in English, Sevdaliza has recently begun to experiment producing songs in different languages like Farsi and Portuguese. She is fluent in five languages: Persian (Farsi), Dutch, English, French, and Portuguese! The only way I could describe Sevdaliza’s sound is as a beautiful siren. She tells a story with every song and breathes even more life into them with her music videos. Her visuals combines rendered art, mythological creatures, and futurism. Her music fully immerses you in an experience like no other. Some of her most notable works include: Human, That Other Girl, Gole Bi Goldoon, Hubris, Voodoov, Marilyn Monroe, Human Nature, and Shahmaran.

Pictured below is a picture of Sevdaliza and I going for a stroll in Paris past the Church of Saint-Nicolas-des-Champs. Don’t mind her wings! She doesn’t usually have them. I first discovered Sevdaliza on YouTube in 2017 as a recommendation from watching an FKA Twigs video. I would say although they are very different, their sounds would blend very well together. I’m still hoping that one day they will collab! The only person I can think of who may have made a way for them to exist now is Bjork. Sevdaliza has such a dynamic sound that transports you to world she’s created through her music. Much like in the picture below, she is an angel that creates otherworldly sounds.

Sevdaliza’s Instagram