Boulevards

Boulevards is the moniker of Raleigh, North Carolina-based artist Jamil Rashad, who has carved out a distinct niche as a modern torchbearer for classic funk and disco. His sound identity is a sophisticated blend of 70s R&B influences - specifically the flamboyant, rhythm-centric styles of Prince and Sly Stone - infused with the technical tightness of his teenage years in the punk and metal scenes.

This 'punk-funk' DNA results in a catalog that is more aggressive and high-energy than typical neo-soul contemporaries. Since his 2016 debut 'Groove!' , Rashad has evolved from a party-centric revivalist into a more nuanced songwriter, particularly on 'Electric Cowboy' (2022), where he integrated elements of blues and Southern rock into his funk foundation. Critically, he is praised for his ability to maintain the 'analog' feel of classic soul while utilizing modern production clarity. He occupies a unique cultural space between the indie-rock circuit and the R&B world, frequently appearing at eclectic festivals like Pickathon. His work is essential for collectors of modern vinyl who value live instrumentation and authentic groove over sample-heavy electronic R&B.