SZA (Vogue)

Oftentimes, we're asked who we'd like to have dinner with, living or dead. George Washington, Martin Luther King Jr., and Helen Keller are always a few popular responses.

However, what if we could have dinner with any musician? These are the 7 we chose. 

SZA

Solana Rowe, better known as SZA, is the epitome of genre-bending music. She’s neo-soul, hip-hop, R&B and minimalism all wrapped up in one. Surprisingly enough, she signed with TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment), a male-rapper-driven record label. However, SZA has expressed her desire to make her own style of music and thus far, she’s done just that, transcending the boundaries often limiting young artists into a single category. 

Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def)

Although I’d love to talk to Mos Def about my admiration of his lyricism in songs such as “New World Water” and “Hip Hop," I’d be even more interested in hearing about his experience in social and political activism.  From performing in a benefit concert for an inmate on death row, to remixing a rap instrumental to criticize George Bush’s response to Hurricane Katrina, Bey used his music as a medium through which to demand social change. 

James Blake (MixMag)

James Blake

There’s something about his music that makes James Blake seem so mysterious and engaging. Somehow his music feels empty enough to where your mind can transport you anywhere you want to go, while dense enough that you’re fully enveloped in what you’re hearing. Every song I hear makes me even more interested in him, plus, who doesn’t love a British accent?

Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean interests me not only because I feel connected to his music, but also because of the choices he makes as an artist. Originally using the name “Lonny Breaux”, Ocean released a few floating tracks, but mostly wrote for other more established artists until his releases of "Nostalgia, Ultra" and “Channel Orange.” To name a few things, I’d ask Ocean about his decision to come out in a heterosexually dominated industry, his use of Tumblr as a sort of electronic journal, and his opinion of the criticism he’s received over associating with the hip-hop group Odd Future, who often use epithets relating to sexual orientation in their music. 

Miley Cyrus (BiteBeauty)

Miley Cyrus

Whether you’re a fan or not, it’s indisputable that Miley Cyrus is one of the most controversial figures of pop culture in recent years. The thought of Cyrus being a beloved child TV star seems like a faint memory when facing the now platinum blonde, twerking, chart-topping songstress. I know I’m not alone in wondering what the spurred what seemed like a very abrupt change in image.

Ray Charles

A pioneer in soul music, there’s no argument that the late Ray Charles forever holds a special place in history because of his unbelievable contributions to music. He was truly an artist that was able to connect people from different cultural and social backgrounds during times of both domestic and foreign unrest. Completely blind by the age of seven, without access to education as a child, and having witnessed the death of his brother, Charles is truly admirable for his strength and determination to develop his love for music and share it with the public.

Kanye West (XXL Mag)

Kanye West

I’m amazed by the variety of music West has released thus far in his career. From 2003's “The College Dropout” Kanye all the way to the 2013's “Yeezus” Kanye, he’s kept us on his toes by experimenting with different instrumental styles and lyrical topics. Though commonly thought to be a jerk, I’d like to have dinner with Mr. West to gain insight into what I believe is the mind of a musical genius. 

Reach Staff Reporter Brittany Brazil here.