serpentwithfeet

Biography

serpentwithfeet, born Josiah Wise in Baltimore, Maryland, is an American singer-songwriter known for his innovative blend of alternative R&B, gospel, classical, and avant-garde pop. Raised in a deeply religious household with both parents as clergy, Wise’s earliest musical experiences were rooted in the church, where he began singing in the choir and dancing during services from the age of five. His mother encouraged his formal vocal training, enrolling him in the Maryland State Boys Choir at age eleven, despite his initial reluctance. This early exposure to classical music, combined with his gospel background, shaped his unique vocal style and musical sensibility.[1][3][4]

Wise attended Baltimore City College, a magnet school with a renowned choir, where he further honed his craft and traveled internationally for competitions. He later studied classical music at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, but found the classical world limiting for Black voices. After moving to New York, he immersed himself in the city’s vibrant music scene, working various jobs while developing his artistic identity. In 2016, he released his debut EP 'blisters,' produced by The Haxan Cloak, which drew critical acclaim for its haunting fusion of genres. His first full-length album, 'soil' (2018), and its follow-up, 'Deacon' (2021), further established him as a singular voice exploring themes of Black queer love, spirituality, and vulnerability through lush, genre-defying soundscapes.[1][2][3][4]

serpentwithfeet’s legacy lies in his ability to craft deeply personal, emotionally resonant music that challenges traditional boundaries of R&B and pop. His work is celebrated for its theatricality, intricate vocal arrangements, and unapologetic embrace of queer identity, making him a trailblazer in contemporary alternative music.[2][4]

Fun Facts

• serpentwithfeet has a large pentagram tattooed on his head, as well as the words 'HEAVEN' and 'SUICIDE'—though his hair now covers the text, the pentagram remains visible.[1][4]
• He often carries a doll with him and has a collection of dolls, which he considers part of his personal and artistic expression.[2]
• His stage name references the prelapsarian snake from the Christian creation story, symbolizing both temptation and transformation.[1]
• He was initially uninterested in classical music, but his mother signed him up for choir auditions without his consent, a decision he later appreciated.[1]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Wise's Mother - Encouraged his entry into classical vocal training and supported his early musical development. (Maryland State Boys Choir, church choir) [Childhood to adolescence]

Key Collaborators

• The Haxan Cloak - Producer of debut EP 'blisters,' helped shape his early recorded sound. (blisters (2016)) [2016]
• Ty Dolla $ign - Frequent collaborator, blending R&B and experimental elements. (Collaborative singles and performances) [2018–present]
• Nao - Featured vocalist on the song 'Heart Storm' from 'Deacon.' (Deacon (2021)) [2021]
• Sampha - Collaborated on multiple tracks on 'Deacon.' (Deacon (2021)) [2021]

Artists Influenced

• Emerging Black queer artists in alternative R&B - Inspired by his open embrace of queer identity and genre fusion. (Influence seen in contemporary alternative R&B releases) [2018–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Disillusioned (with serpentwithfeet) (NEVER ENOUGH)
2. Disillusioned (with serpentwithfeet) (NEVER ENOUGH (Bonus Version))
3. Disillusioned (with serpentwithfeet) (NEVER ENOUGH)
4. CHAPTER & VERS (GRIP SEQUEL)
5. Luvaroq (Circmvnt)
6. Scottie Pippen (Elephant in the Room)
7. Scottie Pippen
8. on air - 4am version (always centered at night - remixes)
9. WANDERER
10. DAMN GLOVES - BAILE FUNK REMIX (GRIP SEQUEL)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #alternative-r&b, #ambient-pop, #art-pop