The Urban Poetics of Stephanie McKay

As is usually the case with artists, after winning over the masses in their home territory, they try their hand in other markets. But what you don't always see, is the reverse.

With powerful urban poetics, which effortlessly combines soul, hip-hop, funk and rock, Bronx, NY native Stephanie McKay has managed to garner the praise from the UK. Known through worldwide touring with the Brooklyn Funk Essentials and having performed with the likes of Kelis, Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Tricky, in 2003 Stephanie McKay teamed up with producer Geoff Barrow of Portishead for her debut CD. Released in the UK, the release immediately garnered the praise of music critics. The Guardian raved that Stephanie McKay’s debut was “resurrecting the passion and pride of politically conscious and eternally lovelorn ladies of late-1960s, early 1970s soul…McKay shines bright,” while MOJO boasted Stephanie McKay is "extraordinarily eclectic" and her album was “a coherent artistic statement and worth investigating.”

Set to release a full length album titled Tell It Like It Is in early 2007 via Astralwerks, the label recently released a self-titled EP, marking her US debut. Containing 5 songs, the EP includes both tracks from her forthcoming release as well as tracks from her first album, giving American audiences a taste what UK fans have been praising about for some time.