Artist Emily Wells

The novelty of white boys rapping has long since worn off, but what about white girls? Los Angeles violinist-chanteuse Emily Wells would like very much for you to be aware of her hip-hop fandom, no matter how creative it might be: She’s done a cover of The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy” positively dripping with synths and barebones beats all wrapped around pretty, sing-song rapping. But she can’t deny her classical roots. Touching as her rendition of “Juicy” might be, her original material emits far more character with staccato-plucked fiddles and ukuleles subbing in for where most others would opt for guitars and bass. Wells has been making music under her own name since 1999, and her previews of her self-assured new Mama album suggest she’s only gaining momentum.

Updated 03/26/2012