Slingshot

The hip-hop duo GentleJawns is featured in this week's installment of Slingshot City Scenes. John Vettese/WXPN hide caption

Vocalists Jillian Taylor and Hannah Taylor and guitarist Todd Fausnacht of Cosmic Guilt perform at True Hand Society in Philadelphia, Pa. Paige Walter/Cherry-Veen Zine hide caption

Sister Rosetta Tharpe — the inspiration behind singer-songwriter Erin Dillard's Black Music City project — poses for a portrait holding a guitar in circa 1940 New York City. Michael Ochs /Getty Images hide caption

25-year-old hip-hop artist Shelem released his latest single "Suga Wata" on July 20. Lilly Dyer/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

The Jerry Run Summer Theater in Cleveland, W.Va. opened its doors in 2003 and has been welcoming local performers ever since. Zack Harold/WVPB hide caption

Multi-instrumentalist Katherine Paul is the frontwoman of Black Belt Eagle Scout. Eleanor Petry/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Portland-based rapper Danny Sky performs at Kelly's Olympian as part of the hip-pop showcase, The Thesis. Michelle Lepe hide caption

Kathy Foster is a mainstay in the Portland music scene, having been a bassist for The Thermals and now the drummer for local punks Hurry Up. Sam Gehrke/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Steph Simon (pictured) and fellow rapper Dialtone were among the first artists contacted by Fire In Little Africa executive producer Stevie Johnson when he arrived in Tulsa in 2019. Ryan Cash/Fivvish/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Floating Room is featured as one of Oregon's up-and-coming artists to watch in 2021. Eirinn Lou Riggs/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

They sought talent that fit the mindset of Black Wall Street — musicians who could set aside ego to commemorate their ancestors. Ryan Cash/Fivvish/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Briana Wright says she turns to music to express what it means to be fully herself, in a city that has not yet reconciled with its past. Fear the Locals/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

"Music definitely drives me," says guitarist Tori Ruffin. "I'm always trying to learn, always trying to create." Phil Clarkin hide caption

Daniel Walker and Amy Dee Richardson, owners of Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge pose with the alien on their roof, Rick. Paige Pfleger/WPLN News hide caption

Joshua Schultz, a Nashville-based tour lighting designer who was already in recovery from a painkiller addiction at the time the pandemic began, shares his struggles with mental health. Joshua Schultz hide caption

In the past year, Joy Oladokun has been tapped for visibility-boosting initiatives, performed on late-night shows and had her songs placed on primetime TV. Noah Tidmore/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Marley Munroe is jazz vocalist Lady Blackbird. Christine Solomon hide caption

Travis Stewart is American electronic music producer Machinedrum. Bethany Vargas hide caption

Madame Gandhi poses with her record collection. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Aimee Mann is one of the most acclaimed voices in contemporary American songwriting. Courtesy of the artist hide caption