Hey, Lucid Media Team! Welcome back to another Artist Spotlight! Bringing you the best and brightest new artists from the South Jersey Metro area. Today, we’ll feature Vixenn, the R&B princess from Philadelphia, PA. I had the pleasure of interviewing her a few weeks ago before the earthquake and solar eclipse. I’ve been a fan of her music since she opened for 202FUNK, a local hip-hop and R&B showcase we held at the late Funhouse. Vixenn’s music truly reflects her deep personal care for the art she creates and her reverence for the genre. Her contribution to the local music scene has been remarkable, and we are excited to learn more about her. Make sure to follow her Instagram!
Who is Vixenn?
Vixenn is a young songwriter and vocalist passionate about the early 2000s era of music. She values music and art as powerful tools for amplifying underrepresented voices. Vixenn is highly detail-oriented, paying close attention to every bar, word, and phrase, whether it’s about love or loss. Her music falls within the R&B genre with hints of early emotional hip-hop. She tells real-life and relatable stories, sharing tales of growing up in the NJ/PA metro area.
Musical Origins
Vixenn grew up in Philadelphia, PA, and was always surrounded by music. She began singing when she was young and has only improved over time. In 2019, she started writing and producing her own music. Her debut single, “Apologise,” was released on SoundCloud and received an overwhelmingly positive response from family, friends, and fans online. This response encouraged her to pursue her musical dreams even further.
Vixenn’s Influences
A few names immediately come to mind when asked about her artistic influences. Her number one source of inspiration is the legendary Aaliyah, widely regarded as an icon of her time. Vixenn is inspired by Aaliyah’s distinctive style and musical talent, which have left a lasting impact on the music industry.
Apart from Aaliyah, Vixenn also draws inspiration from iconic figures such as Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. She admires these artists for their retro styles, star power, and stage presence, which establish them as legends in the music industry.
In addition to these artists, Vixenn also takes inspiration from other talented musicians such as Monica, Cassie, and Keyshia Cole. SHe explores early 2000s music to revive its lost sounds and themes of self-discovery, artistic exploration, and culture. The early 2000s “Ringtone Era” captivates her with nostalgia and the fun sounds of pre-clubbing and trap music before they took over mainstream culture.
Thoughts on Music Trends
I spoke with Vixenn about her fondness for the early 2000s, a time of nostalgia for many of us in our early 20s. She wants to bring back the iconic sound prevalent during that time. Think of the production of Timbaland and Pharrell Williams and the songwriting of Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliott. Looking back on the videos from that time, you can see how much fun people had without flaunting gaudy chains or exotic cars. People genuinely enjoyed singing and dancing with their friends, and they created the culture that many of us idealize today.
Regarding the current trends in the music industry, Vixenn mentioned that many artists follow the crowd and are not true to themselves. She believes people relate to discovering themselves and their ideas and having more fun. She said there are no real-life situations in music anymore, and it’s mostly party music that doesn’t necessarily tell stories. Vixenn also mentioned that there’s been too much “tiktokification” of music, and mainstream consumers are pushing for club music instead of more substantive R&B and hip-hop.
As musicians, we must recognize that we have power and influence over our audiences and should not misuse this influence. It’s essential to fight against the mainstream consolidation of pop music and strive to create more meaningful and authentic music.
Most Memorable Gigs
Vixenn has only performed about four or five gigs until now, but she has a lot planned for the future. We had the pleasure of hosting her at our 202FUNK show, where she set the tone for the night’s music at the Funhouse, along with some of our favorites like Devyn Amana and Wiseboy Jeremy. Check out the How to Host a Basement Show piece for tips and tricks. Her most recent show, partnered with the Rowan hip-hop club as a part of a hip-hop showcase at Profs Place, was her most memorable performance. She felt that she had improved her live sound, had more fun on stage, was less nervous, and was more confident.
Highlighting “Come My Way”
Vixenn’s discography is worth a listen for anyone who loves authentic R&B sound. She plans to release a new single, “Again,” in May, along with the track “Like a Player,” currently in development. But in the meantime, you can check out her latest single, “Come My Way.” She stated that she would release a complete project by her senior year of college. We eagerly await the R&B Princess to reclaim her throne and rescue us from the monotony of Soundcloud rap and uninspired songwriting.
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