Moor Mother and Nicole Mitchell

Philadelphia-based Moor Mother (aka Moor Mother Goddess or MMGz) is the solo outlet for Maryland-born artist Camae Ayewa. Moor Mother's music combines social issues with a visceral blend of hardcore electronics and her intense poetry, as if Saul Williams and Noname joined Death Grips. Ayewa -- who is also an educator, coach, and social activist -- grew up rapping and "playing guitar" with broomstick handles, influenced as much by Patti LaBelle, Public Enemy, and the Beastie Boys as Malcolm X and Maya Angelou. As a teenager, she delved into the punk scene, preferring its hard e...