Fana Hues is still in the early stages of her career, but she’s already establishing herself as one of the most promising singers and songwriters in the music industry. The Pasadena, California native grew up around the arts: her mother was a dancer and her father, who played the piano, guitar, and bass, taught Hues and her sisters how to sing during their youth. She was exposed to the music of Dionne Warwick, Nina Simone, and Chaka Khan at a young age, which had a profound impact on her own music years later.
After releasing her debut project, the Hues EP, in 2020, Hues got a huge boost when she was featured on “SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE,” from Tyler, the Creator’s 2021 album Call Me If You Get Lost. The progression she displayed on her pensive 2022 album flora + fana is why we featured her in SCENES: SoCal Soul, our ongoing docuseries exploring growing subcultures in music.
SCENES focuses on various communities of artists and fans who are shaping the future of music and culture around the world. SoCal Soul isn’t a specific sound or style, it’s a group of artists based in Southern California who are passionate about R&B music and want to uphold the quality of the genre which they came to appreciate.
“R&B is where I go to release the emotions that would normally be reserved for myself, only. R&B is where I find my freedom.”
“I’m all about finding your avenue to express yourself that just feels natural…R&B always felt natural to me.”
Fana’s music feels simultaneously effortless, yet lived-in. You can feel that when she sings a portion of “pieces,” from her flora + fana album, during SCENES: SoCal Soul. The album version is exceptional, but the song strikes a deeper chord when she sings it live. It shows how Hues has grown, even after showing potential on songs like “Notice Me,” from her Hues EP. The song, which layers Hues’ piercing voice over hard snares and hypnotic production, currently has over 100,000 plays on SoundCloud.
Listen to Fana Hues on SoundCloud to get a better idea of why we included Fana Hues in SCENES: SoCal Soul. Then listen to our SoCal Soul playlist to hear other emerging R&B artists currently making waves in Southern California.
LISTEN TO FANA HUES
WATCH SCENES: SOCAL SOUL
Credits: Portraits by Ira Chernova
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