Black Indie Artists That Should Be On Your Radar
Devvy Dub, Amber Mark, DellaXOZ, and Jahson Paynter are carving out a distinct space in indie music as Black artists.
In honor of Black History Month, Off the Record polled our staff on some of their favorite Black indie artists who have been flying under the radar and deserve to be front and center on every indie lover’s playlist. Especially for a genre that is so often dominated by white faces and voices, highlighting some of the up-and-coming Black musicians who are shaping the future of indie, alt, and rock music is more important than ever.
So if you’re looking to expand your sonic palette, take a look at OTR’s picks for the Black indie artists that should be on your radar.
DellaXOZ
Logan Goettemoeller, Senior Writer
DellaXOZ is a creative visionary who refuses to be bound by the limitations of genre. Her groundbreaking mastery of sound has led to some of the most refreshing and unique tunes in the emerging music scene. One of her biggest tracks, “BORING,” has been self-described as “math rock but also hyperpop on a jersey club beat.” DellaXOZ’s stellar high-energy vocal performance on the track and the enrapturing instrumental dynamics behind her make the song addictive and anything but “BORING;” it’s a track that never gets old after playing it over and over again.
Her latest EP, Permanent Retrograde, builds on these same influences with a dreamy pop cloud wavering over all of the tracks. Her ruminative and self-aware lyricism shines through powerfully on her hit track, “UnHinged,” where she sings, “When you're playing my guitar and still tryna impress me / But I know you like all your strings disconnected / So I say, ‘I'm not casual, I'm fucking obsessive’ / Like, baby, let's get married, or let's just forget it.” DellaXOZ is constantly evolving in her sound and her songwriting skills, and we’re certainly keeping our eyes peeled for her next release.
Jahson Paynter
Maria Murphy, Contributor
On the come up is Jahson Paynter, bringing with him a completely unique vocal style just slightly reminiscent of scene staple Dijon. His music is made up of delicate, narrative lyrics sitting softly on top of his seamlessly blended indie and R&B sound. On his most successful single, “maple brown,” he’s unapologetically bold, describing a love in his life with rich, fall-colored details that feel incredibly intimate. His music is confident and soulful, sounding like it could have been a few cut tracks from Dijon’s Absolutely era. If you’ve spent any time obsessing over that album, you’re going to fall in love with Jahson; he has a similar magic about him.
Janeece
Roxie Jenkin, Contributor
Watch the music video for “maple brown” on YouTube.
For all those music lovers who fight for the right to say they were first on an artist train, claim your spot as an early fan of Janeece, a talented young singer-songwriter based in Chicago who is bound to be topping charts very soon. With groovy indie-pop beats and candid lyrics, Janeece is an underrated danceable realist, appealing to lovers of Lola Young, Ravyn Lanae, and Arlo Parks. She draws listeners in with her addictive rhythms but keeps them listening with her relatable lyrics that explore themes of queerness, falling in love, and the inevitable hardship of breakups.
Her latest single, “FAT CHANCE,” is a perfect example of why she needs to be on your next playlist. In this track, she sings about getting over a toxic ex with verses laced with nostalgia-evoking synths and grovelly basslines that vibrate the lyrics through listeners’ souls, reminding us that we are more than what we lost. She passionately declares, “Now, I got bigger dreams / To follow my heart / And be on the biggest screens.”
Nourished by Time
Brooke Shapiro, Music Extras Co-Editor
No one makes the realities of our increasingly robotic way of living and loving sound sicker than Marcus Brown. Under the stage name Nourished by Time, Brown literally paints humankind’s loss of passion as a sickness through his piercing lyricism while his production lays a soundscape I can only describe as intoxicating. In “Idiot In The Park” from his 2025 album, The Passionate Ones, for example, he sings, “Everybody’s out here protecting their heart / But I need a love that leaves a scar,” his droning baritone floating over a syncopated drum pattern as if filling in the gaps of an irregular heartbeat.
“9 2 5” is another instance of his genius. With its blunt description of the labor market juxtaposing dance-inducing groove, he said in an interview the song is an homage to his hometown of Baltimore; its pulsing dance beat emulates the city’s club scene while its lyrics reflect its post-industrial nature. It feels impossible to place Nourished by Time in a genre category, but maybe that’s for the best; at the end of the day, Marcus Brown is in a league of his own.
Watch the official music video for “Stereo” on YouTube.
Amber Mark
Elena Cabigas, Contributor
New York City–based artist Amber Mark is one to keep on your radar. With ethereal vocals and emotionally charged lyricism, Mark crafts songs that linger in the stillness between love and heartbreak. Her voice has a timeless quality that sticks with you and is hard to forget; whether she’s singing a smooth R&B ballad, drifting into bossa nova, or exploring indie pop sounds, her vocals always feel effortless and full of emotion. There’s a warmth in the way she sings that makes every word hit home, allowing you to feel the emotions of heartbreak, joy, or love.
Mark’s 2025 album, Pretty Idea, displays her confidence in her sound and style. From the radiant energy of “Sweet Serotonin” to the longing of “Different Places,” Pretty Idea highlights not just her vocal range, but her ability to weave together stories of love, loss, and growth. A standout track is “Don’t Remind Me,” a collaboration with Grammy-winning singer, rapper, and producer Anderson.Paak. Their voices weave together seamlessly over a groovy beat, creating a back-and-forth exchange that brings the song to life.
Devvy Dub
Jane Flautt, Music Extras Co-Editor
With a sound reminiscent of bands like The Strokes, Two Door Cinema Club, and Vampire Weekend, Devvy Dub is ideal for lovers of 2000s and 2010s indie rock who want a heavy dose of Millennial nostalgia with a dash of hip-hop. An Arkansas-born and San Francisco-based producer, singer, and instrumentalist, Devvy Dub has a knack for making feverish, dynamic tracks that you’ll struggle to get out of your head and would be right at home on an early aughts EA Sports FIFA soundtrack.
Releasing his second EP, Hero, at the end of 2025, his songs often pay homage to his rock forebearers, with addictive guitar licks that bring to mind iconic tracks like Caesars’ “Jerk It Out” and Declan McKenna’s “Brazil” on “Kinda Like You” and “Pledge,” respectively. Yet by combining these influences with his own sonic personality — a mix of blunt lyricism, creative vocal effects, and punchy melodies — Devvy Dub is establishing himself as an exciting new voice in the world of indie rock.