Adore April 2021

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Boyfriend UPTOWN B oyfriend, a fixture at festivals and a Jazz Fest favorite, coined the term "Rap Cabaret" to describe her live show. Her music has been featured in films, TV shows, and commercials. Offstage, you'll find her writing and producing for artists like Galactic and Charlie XCX and most recently Big Freedia's Christmas EP, which she co-produced and wrote. Her newest passion is clothing design, and she offers her pieces as well as vintage finds through the newly founded online XOBF Boutique. She is a board member of New Orleans Independent Fashion (NOIF) and debuted her designs at the inaugural show.

Artist and Songwriter imyourboyfriend.com

Why New Orleans? To be invited, to sing along, to be different, even as you belong.

That's New Orleans to me…a city with a very healthy relationship with creativity, a flexible concept of community, enfoldment without diluting individuality. WHAT IS INSPIRING YOU RIGHT NOW? I've been designing clothes! I've always styled my shoots and stage costumes, but it only just occurred to me that no one said I'm not allowed to try this too. And my mom sews, so it's such a fun project for us. You'd think my sketches are from a 2nd grader, but lately my design ideas have literally kept me up at night, in the good way only an idea can. HOW DID THE PANDEMIC INFLUENCE YOUR CREATIVITY? While I stand by the sentiment that a pandemic is not a residency, I actually had a very creative 2020. I spent the whole year in studios, writing and producing songs, mostly for other artists. Performing has been so central to my identity as an artist, so time off the stage has been strange and disorienting. But, it's also nice leaving those rollers on the shelf for a while, to trust that they'll still be there when the time comes. Favorite part about living in New Orleans? I could say the culture of costuming, food, or music…but wouldn't it be funnier if I said it's co-existing with so many lizards. I mean really…the sidewalks of elsewhere feel empty without hundreds of scampering little invaders.