UMI photographed at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Dec. 2, 2023. Matt Pang/STAFF. OAKLAND — “I feel very accomplished right now,” Tierra Umi Wilson says shortly after her December performance at Oakland Arena, where she opened for one of her biggest role models, Jhené Aiko. The 24-year-old Seattle native,…

Jhené Aiko performs at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Dec. 2, 2023. Matt Pang/STAFF. OAKLAND — It’s been months—last summer–since soul vocalist Jhené Aiko last performed on stage. Back then, she canceled several shows to focus on her health and her family, including her second child, with rapper Big…

The city of Detroit personified as “the struggling artist” feels apt—especially when considering the number of incredibly talented and influential artists who have come from the Motor City that have faced hardships themselves. Big Sean addressed the topic in 2012 with Detroit and now follows that mixtape with full-length album Detroit…

Big Sean performs at The Masonic in San Francisco on March 23, 2017. Photos: Jose Saucedo. SAN FRANCISCO — There’s a common misconception that sex, drugs and partying are primary themes in rap music. Big Sean proved otherwise at The Masonic Thursday. The Detroit rapper known for opening up about…

Since getting signed to Kanye West’s GOOD Music label, Big Sean has had every opportunity to establish himself as one of hip-hop’s elite. Despite this, he has always seemed to be a step behind those at the top, never establishing a distinct identity for himself. Sean aims to end…