The Kalamazoo musician’s latest album has been embraced by WYCE programmers and radio listeners, with up-and-coming band Money Soup making its chart debut at No. 2.
On the ‘Freedom’ Road: Jordan Hamilton performing last month at Bell’s Brewery Beer Garden. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
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Jordan Hamilton has become a beloved veteran of West Michigan’s music scene, embraced by audiences, fellow musicians, media outlets and radio programmers since moving to Kalamazoo from Maryland to attend Western Michigan University and launch his career.
His avant-garde and enticing approach to hip hop as a classically trained cellist and pedal-looping wizard has enlivened collaborations with Last Gasp Collective, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra and Seth Bernard among others, not to mention his own solo projects.
It’s brought him accolades as well, from WYCE Jammie Awards to being named Local Spins’ Emerging Artist of the Year in 2020.
So it’s no surprise that his latest album, “Project Freedom,” officially released on May 31, would soar to the top of the Local Spins Hot Top 5 Chart for June, representing the release by a Michigan artist that received the most airplay last month at WYCE (88.1 FM).
“That’s amazing,” he said. “I’m always honored when people listen to and resonate with the music. Grateful that it’s out in the world finding its path.”
The 15-track recording released by Mello Music Group nudged out the self-titled debut album by West Michigan funk band Money Soup for the top spot on the chart, followed by bluegrass/folk’s The Wild Honey Collective, rock’s Overdrive Orchestra, psych-rock’s Levitator and Americana’s The Gasoline Gypsies — all new entries compared to the previous month’s chart.
Hamilton’s latest accomplishment comes after a busy spring and summer of performances, with more to come: July 14 at Bookish in Grand Rapids, July 19 for Ann Arbor Art Fest in Ann Arbor, July 20 at The Livery in Benton Harbor and Aug. 2 at Midtown in Grand Rapids, a trio concert that will serve as his vinyl-release show with special guests Alfie Da Great and Psypiritual.
“It’s great. Been runnin’ ’round heavy,” conceded Hamilton, who also works with the Traverse City Dance Project.
LOCAL SPINS HOT TOP CHART ON SPOTIFY: June 2024
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