Jackson Connor

"R&B has always been looked down upon." Singer Kelela Mizanekristos, 30, is relaxing at her home in LA after a long week packed with showcases at SXSW. Her debut mixtape Cut 4 Me - a startling conglomeration of esoteric electronica, poignant songwriting and lofty, melodic vocal lines - garnered praise......

It has taken R&B singer King avriel 23 years, a full academic scholarship to UCLA, countless modeling gigs, a few television appearances, and a stack of bell hooks books to figure out who exactly she is. And, more importantly, what she wants that person to say. "At first I was......