For Vanilla is Black, creative limits do not exist. Comprising the creative minds of Chuck Inglish, K. Roosevelt and Kenneth Wright, the trio pulls from funk, soul, psychedelic rock, R&B and hip-hop to explore their musical capabilities via improvisation and create universal soundscapes for everyday life. The California-based trio joined forces in 2019 after running in the same circles throughout their respective careers. Chuck Inglish is a rapper, producer, songwriter, DJ and half of culture-shifting hip-hop duo The Cool Kids. K. Roosevelt is the band’s lead singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist, who aside from his solo work, has worked with Jhené Aiko, Hit Boy and The Game amongst others. Kenneth Wright is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and music director, who has worked with artists like Wiz Khalifa and many more. Jam sessions throughout the pandemic turned into studio sessions and in 2021 the band created their debut EP, U.Aint.Neva.Lied, out 5/17. Taking inspiration from groups like Parliament-Funkadelic and Gorillaz, the nine-song EP encompasses their boundless energy and is their “free-flowing creativity manifested,” says K. Roosevelt. Wright calls it an “adventure” with Inglish adding that “the music can exist in your life in so many different ways.” Vanilla is Black is ready to touch people with their music and cultivate celebratory spaces where people can feel free. “Our ceiling is non-existent,” says Inglish. —CYDNEY LEE