Learn something every day.  We recently discovered the Bronx’s battle-rapper Tish Hyman and her heartrending, empathic, somehow-seasonally-appropriate song/video Subway Art, and have been hopelessly mired in its riches since. While resounding like some others (old school Lauryn Hill in particular), Hyman stamps her copious personality on Subway Art and its affecting people-in-glass-houses lyrics (see below).  [People: reach out and touch lonely people this season (and year-round).  Never enough of these reminders.] And there will be harmonica.  Nice touch.

Hyman has collaborated with Alicia Keys, Diddy, and Kanye West, among others.  But clearly her own stardom is imminent.  We look forward to Hyman’s debut album, Dedicated To, which is to be released in early 2016.  Keep your ears and eyes out.

Afterwards, listen to another gem, the Jamaican-ish All I That I Can Do.  So very good.

Subway Art:

“I’m not gon’ cry this time so it sounds better
There is life in New York
Underground in the coldest hearts
Lonely people are subway art

Lonely people cast away
For the crimes they committed
And the love ones they pain
Hope for redemption on a crowded train
Can you spare some change? Cause my baby need some diapers
I just got out of jail and nobody wants to hire
My mother just died and I have nowhere to go now
Got hurt on the job, got laid off and I’m broke now
I could be robbin’ you but I’m tryna sell this candy
I need to feed my family, somebody help me

There is life in New York
Underground in the coldest hearts
Lonely people are subway art
Lonely people
In the coldest hearts

Lonely people whose broken dreams
Slowly became distant memories
Most of their prayers fall on dead ears in this crowded train
Hooked on drugs and I can’t get sober
I’m only 18 and my whole life is over
I’ve done been to jail 5 times, give me a dollar
I’m just hungry, I’ll take food if you got some
Anybody wanna buy my mix CD?
I need to feed my family, somebody help me”