The Alpha Theory

“There seems to be little space in the world of contemporary R&B to be a regular Black gurl—or a god-fearing, honest to goodness grown-ass black woman, full of desires, anxieties and ambition,” writes Professor Mark Anthony Neal in his essay “What’s a (Black R&B) Gurl to Do?...” North Carolina’s The Alpha Theory catapults their lead vocalist Jocelyn Ellis into “black gurl” fulfillment, surrounding her sound with shards of rock, R&B and hip-hop. Ellis abrades the notion of what it means to have contemporary soul chic, too, leading an untamed assault on the humble-mumbles of the urban soundboard.

It’s “urban-folk” music at its most determinist, seen in live-performances and heard in songs like “Sugar Rose” and “Wake Up Beside You.” Since releasing their 2009 debut LP In The Beginning, which features the 9th Wonder-produced single “Sell Me A Cloud”, The Alpha Theory has been hard at work—touring the East Coast, recording their first full-length LP and amassing new fans privy to the soul resurgence in NC led by courageous female vocalists and the bands that make them sound like rebels. —Eric Tullis