Beats, Boxing and Mayhem

The face may not be familiar, but you might recognize the voice of Baltimore poet, emcee and singer Maimouna Youssef. She was featured in Dave Chappelle’s Block Party, and has contributed vocals to the works of Nas, Erykah Badu, Dead Prez, Jill Scott and the Roots, with whom she earned a 2007 Grammy nomination for work on “Don’t Feel Right.” This gem is an allegorical representation of the perilous love triangle Youssef attempts to reconcile in the fiscal and image expectations of the music industry with her goal to make genuine, heartfelt art. Youssef’s debut album The Blooming is available now.