serpentwithfeet

As serpentwithfeet, Josiah Wise unites R&B, gospel, classical, and electronic music into passionate songs that express the fullness of his life as a gay Black man. His voice -- the product of classical training as well as singing in church since childhood -- flows over music that mixes the sensual with the divine and touches on inspirations as diverse as Brandy, Björk, Antonin Dvorák, and Toni Morrison. On early releases such as 2016's Blisters EP and 2018's Soil, serpentwithfeet's music was frequently as dense and brooding as it was beautiful, but 2021's Deacon reflected a lighter, happier outlook and sound. With 2023's production Heart of Brick and the following year's sensual, beat-oriented album Grip, he stayed true to his roots on the stage while expanding the range of his artistry.