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Topic Studios produces award-winning film, TV & podcasts, supporting creators at the forefront of culture.Learn More

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The Ascendants

United StatesDocumentaryTV-141 Season | 4 Episodes

An intimate look at four rising musicians from Chicago and the common issues that young Black women artists have to overcome both in a male-dominated music industry and a marginalizing socie

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4 Episodes

Shortly after releasing her mixtape, “RETROGRADE,” rapper, teacher, and tarot card reader Jasmine (aka J Bambii) talks about the roots of her anxieties and how music has helped her heal and learn to accept herself.

At 22, singer Christian has already won the respect of Chance the Rapper, but it hasn’t been an easy road. On the South Side, she dealt with redlining; in Freeport, she faced open racism. Now the preacher’s daughter is taking on the music industry.

Akenya, 26, is a quadruple threat: singer, pianist, composer, and arranger. After overcoming a lonely childhood, health issues, and every form of marginalization, she’s now working with Grammy-nominated artists and ready to release her own album.

With a sound that’s like Erykah Badu meets Little Dragon and an eclectic style, Jean Deaux is poised for breakout success. She revisits her first open mic stages, opens up about a trauma, and reveals how she resists fear.

Credits

Cast

Jean Deaux, Akenya Seymour, Christian JaLon, J Bambii

Director

Ladan Osman

Writer

Ladan Osman

Producers

Joe Penney, Ladan Osman

Executive Producers

Mahalia Cohen, Ryan Chanatry, Anna Holmes

Cinematographer

Joe Penney

Editor

Lucas Lobe