Abdu Ali, recording artist
At 24, the nationally touring UB grad already has two mixtapes under his belt. Influenced by Baltimore club music, his funky, chaotic, danceable jams mixed with rap and punk sound unlike anything else you’ve heard. “I have a lot of energy and I’m not shy about the energy I give out,” he says. “My performances are a soft rage, but that anger is coming from a loving place.” Catch Ali perform Sept. 6 at The Crown (Photo by Keem Griffey)
Nicholas Hersh, BSO assistant conductor
The Illinois native has arranged and conducted numerous orchestral takes on popular music—including a thrilling performance of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which has more than 90,000 YouTube hits. “I’m interested in concerts that don’t follow the traditional format,” he says. The 26-year-old is new to the city, but says he’s obsessed with Faidley’s Seafood crabcakes in Lexington Market.
Blacksage, band
“Creepy, sexy lullaby jams.” That’s how Baltimore duo Drew Scott and Josephine Olivia describe the synth-laden pop songs on their debut EP “Sixtape.” Blacksage’s music goes hand in hand with their live shows, offering minimal lighting and a shadowy vibe you won’t want to shake for a while. Check them out at the Windup Space on Sept. 20 or the Saratoga Toga Party at Maryland Art Place on Oct 25.
