Saint Jhn first showed up on my radar when he came in crooning alongside Blue Ivy Carter on “Brown Skin Girl,” a stand-out track from Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift. After some further digging, it quickly becomes clear why Yoncé invited the Guyanese-American rapper/singer/songwriter/producer, who grew up splitting time between Brooklyn and Guyana, for the track. Sonically speaking, everything is working on his sophomore full-length, Ghetto Lenny’s Love Songs, from opening track “Wedding Day” to slappable songs like “Trap” featuring Lil Baby, and “Who Do You Blame.” Now he’s touring in support of the project, with Kodie Shane, a Black, queer rapper from Atlanta, as opener. Shane’s recent vibey single “End Like That” should convince you to get to the Hawthorne in a prompt manner.

by Jenni Moore