Video Premiere & Web-Exclusive Interview Artist:  MANIKA KAUR Video:  “Liberate Me”  WORLD MUSIC SONGSTRESS MANIKA KAUR PREMIERES BEAUTIFULLY HAUNTING “LIBERATE ME” Manika Kaur is a leading contemporary performer of Sikh “Kirtan” music. As the very first person to place Kirtan in the World Music Charts Europe with views of her videos running in the millions, Manika’s music has received overwhelming praise from the global Sikh... 

JADE HOMETOWN: New Orleans INFLUENCES: Sade, Billie Holiday, Donny Hathaway ALBUM: Jaded EP, due out fall WEBSITE: jadesbrownbox.com Born and raised in the New Orleans suburb of Houma, Jade spent her childhood immersed in music, dance and theater. She was inspired by the sounds of the bayou, incorporating them into her own blend of R&B and hip-hop. After competing in local talent shows, Jade helped form the girl group Sophia Fresh, which signed... 

MEIKO HOMETOWN: Roberta, Ga. INFLUENCES: Fiona Apple, Patty Griffin, Sade ALBUM: The Bright Side, out now WEBSITE: meikomusic.com Growing up in a small rural hometown with a population of 800, Meiko Sheppard learned to entertain herself. She picked up her father’s guitar and was writing songs by age 5; three years later she made her public debut singing “White Christmas” at church. “Being an awkward, bored middle-schooler was really helpful...