Singer Santi White is being heralded as the Next Big Thing, having already made a splash on MTV and MySpace this year with her debut self-titled album. White records music under the alias Santogold, which encompasses both her solo work and collaborations with other artists.

Her first single, an electro-reggae number called “Creator,” immediately drew comparisons to global funk-punk musician M.I.A., who has popularized the crossover of hip-hop beats and techno reverb to world music. Santogold’s song uses the skittering rhythms and talk-rap that is M.I.A.’s trademark, and it has been noted that White worked with the producer who helped to craft M.I.A.’s latest album, Kala.

But the comparisons end there, with the rest of Santogold’s debut a collection of Tegan and Sara-meets-Gwen Stefani vocals and ‘80s influences. Santi White combines the best trends in indie rock today, including elements of retro-funk and a refreshing awkwardness in her phrasing.
Santogold is becoming a force to be reckoned with, and as White proclaims in “Creator”: “Tell me no, I say yes, I was chosen / And I will deliver the explosion.”

Santogold performs with Mates of State at House of Blues October 11 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

By Caitlin McGarry

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