Walt Kin, created by Philadelphia native Justin Marquese DeWalt and Los Angeles-based Eric Watkins, is a fully in‑house music project that blends funk, alt‑R&B, and rock with striking, self‑designed visuals. Their use of anonymity is a deliberate creative strategy, allowing the music to remain free from expectation and the art to speak for itself.
Philly vocalists are front and center on Sam Smith’s latest single, “To Be Free.”A chorus of singers from Philadelphia spent months recording background vocals for Smith’s upcoming album — and appear in the official music video. From church-trained powerhouses to R&B trailblazers, these artists represent the depth of talent that lives in this city.
This isn’t just a feature. It’s a moment for Philly.
When Music Feels Personal: On ALEANA, Mars Parker, and the Magic of Controversy A few years ago, I had the pleasure of seeing ALEANA perform live for the first time. It was a show at Johnny Brenda’s, and what struck me most—beyond the richness of her voice and the strength of her songwriting—was her presence. There was this humor she carried, a lightness between songs that made her feel approachable, grounded. It’s a rare thing: to be serenaded by someone who can hold pain and poise in one hand, and crack a joke with the other. At some point, both ALEANA and Mars Parker spent time in my studio. I’ve heard their unreleased tracks, watched ideas form before they were...
The Unsung Harmony explores how Philly artists quietly support, uplift, and inspire one another—building a creative community rooted in fellowship, not competition.
