Nick Austin

Every artist’s journey begins with a single step, often taken behind the scenes. For Chantae Cann, a singer whose voice blends the intricacies of jazz and soul, and Derrick Benford, a pianist steeped in Detroit’s rich musical heritage, these steps started in the background. Their recent collaborations highlight how vulnerability and openness in their music have been instrumental in their artistic development.

Detroiters and hip-hop fans everywhere are celebrating what would have been J Dilla’s 50th birthday on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. Though the legendary Detroit producer and artist died in 2006 at the young age of 32, his musical legacy is as strong as ever — both in the Motor City and around the world.

2023 was a momentous year for local rapper and producer Black Milk, marking the release of his eighth studio album, Everybody Good? — his first record since 2018. The Detroit born and bred artist first made a name for himself at just 18 or 19 years old, producing tracks for Motor City hip-hop legends Slum Village. “Having not only Slum, but having [J Dilla] jump on a record that I produced was big for me personally because you got one of your favorites acknowledging your work,” he said.