Girls who are killin' it

Santigold
Lizard King Records (2007)
Atlantic U.K., Downtown

I've already mentioned Santigold in my October reviews from last year, but I feel it's my duty to beat this incredibly lively mare to death. For those in the know, Santigold isn't a huge secret.

Santigold (born Santi White) began her music career as an intern at Ruffhouse Records. She parlayed that gig into a job as an A&R scout for Sony, a dream job in itself. Her resume of collaborations and accolades is 20 pages long but all you need to know is that this young chanteuse is a rising star, a sentiment solidified when she opened for Coldplay's world tour in '08.

Santigold is a sound not easy to describe. While she is most definitely a rapper, her sensual harmonies and haunting melodies are as soft as her rhymes are hard. With the use of synthesizers, some new wave nostalgia and dancehall beats it's easy to see why the Santigold buzz is becoming deafening. To see her live is pretty damn cool too.

Oh and just so you know, she used to be known as Santogold but because of some weird lawsuit stuff, she changed to Santigold. It doesn't really matter, what matters is that she's a young woman with unique style and talent who is just killin' it.

Melissa Cameron (Missy Cam)
wordPeople
Maplemusic.com

Sometimes the greatest talents are right in front of your face and you don't even know it. I attended the Over The Top Festival, here in Toronto a couple of weeks ago and was introduced to a local hip-hop act wordPeople. Melissa Cameron (aka Missy Cam) caught my ear right away and reminded me of a younger, far less weathered Fergie. As the vocalist in this indie rock rap band, Cameron steals the show with her heavy vocals and natural range. Emcee ape.X certainly holds his own while Cameron weaves in and out of his rhymes like a pro. If you're looking to hear some cool Canadian music, bubbling under the radar this summer, try out their debut album People's Eatery and let me know what you think. Missy Cam is undoubtedly on her way to killin' it.

If you have any female artists that you think fall into the 'killin' it' category, let me know at larissa@ellecanada.com.

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