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The Urban Poetics of Stephanie McKay

Posted by Michael Yu, Oct 15, 2006

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.

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MTV News

September 22, 2006

MTV News staff report

...Stephanie McKay - a Bronx, New York, singer who has worked with Tricky, Mos Def and Kelis will release her Stateside debut, a self-titled EP, on Tuesday. Geoff Barrow of Portishead produced her U.K. debut, which was released in 2003.

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PopMatters @ CMJ 2006

CMJ 2006 Artist Showcases: Day 1, 31 October 2006
Posted November 3, 2006

by Jennifer Kelly, Megan Milks, Dan Nishimoto, Andrew Phillips, and Steve Stirling

Under the blood-red moon of All Hallows Eve, thousands of musicians, industry vets, and frantic fans wandered the New York City streets like zombies, bound by an insatiable lust for the sweet manna of music. We too were on a search for blood, dipping in and out of the shadows to chronicle the meanderings of the night's most dynamic and criminally despicable creatures. Some slayed; some fell prey to the demons of mediocrity. Others proved that a good trick can be a hell of a treat.

STEPHANIE MCKAY @ Hiro Ballroom
Now, here's a proper way to start off the festivities. Stephanie McKay saunters onto the cozy Hiro Ballroom stage backed by a young'n four-piece group and eases into a brief set of nickelbag funk and soul. Admittedly, such a cramped space and quiet slot seems unworthy of a veteran Bronx-born singer who has collaborated with New York luminaries like Brooklyn Funk Essentials, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Carl Hancock Rux, and recorded her first album McKay under the guidance of Portishead's Geoff Barrow. Regardless, she transforms the liquid funk from her upcoming album into earthy Bill Withers comfort food and Gil Scott-Heron-style observational brew. Nothing mind-blowing, but it's familiar in all the right ways. (DN)

Popmatters Article

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