Black History Month celebration w/ Alesia Lani

Among the Austin Public Library’s storytelling segments and spoken-word workshops, this year’s Black History Month celebration spotlights the melodic R&B cohesion of Alesia Lani. Velvet vocals ebb and flow between thudding basslines on her 2023 sophomore album Self-Titled, where Lani’s neo-soul meets heartfelt lyricism. A funk-fueled force to be reckoned with, “I Don’t Mind” piles stark harmonies against infectious grooves. The nine-track project also features notable collaborations, like the electric-addled “Breaking Me Down” with Jackie Venson and the beat-driven, piano-accented “Big Shot” with Magna Carda. Lani’s library performance is free and open to the public. – Miranda Garza