Spoken word poet and storyteller, Joan 'Lyric' Leslie brings shares her take on a super liberal, very black Christianity and how that manifests itself today.

Hoodgrown Aesthetic tells the story of artists of color living in Boston and abroad in the 21st century. In a monthly podcast we celebrate local artist, organizations, and businesses. We discuss current news concerning artists, students, educators, and poor communities of color, highlight celebrity efforts to support the arts and poverty, we invite local artists, advocates of social change, educators, and entrepreneurs for interviews and have some real talk.  

Host Daughter of Contrast 
@daughterofcontrast

New Episodes Once a Month 

Instagram: @Hoodgrownaesthetic

DJ & event producer [Mostbeautifullest]

New Yorker in Pittsburgh

huny.young@gmail.com

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jia is a Jamaican-American multi-hyphenate creative, producer, and classically trained vocalist who uses her voice not only as an instrument, but as a tool for storytelling and world-building. Raised in Virginia, she spent years immersed in choirs, refining her vocal technique and deepening her understanding of music theory. This foundation unlocked a vast vocal range that she now explores through intricate, stacked harmonies—each layer adding depth to the immersive soundscapes she creates.

At 19, jia began producing and recording her own music, guided by the belief that one must learn the rules before breaking them. Her sound is rooted in what she calls “cloud music”—a genre-defiant expression of her emotional connection to the sky. These dreamlike compositions are shaped by lush vocal textures, ethereal melodies, and a commitment to creating sonic environments that feel like living above the clouds.

Drawing inspiration from R&B, Alternative, Gospel, and Pop, jia’s music invites listeners to pause, reflect, and heal. As a proud Jamaican-American, she is continuously seeking deeper connections with her heritage, weaving elements of her culture into her creative process.

Every note, every harmony, and every beat in her music is a piece of a world that jia builds for others to find themselves in—and maybe even find peace.
Social Media: @cloudyjiaa

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