GRAMMYs

21 Savage 

Photo: Prince Williams/Wireimage via Getty Images

News

21 Savage Pledges Money To Financially Responsible Kids, Continues Literacy Campaign

Facebook Twitter Email
The GRAMMY-nominated rapper even instructed 40 students during a second phase of his campaign
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Mar 25, 2019 - 12:38 pm

GRAMMY-nominated "Bank Account" rapper 21 Savage has donated money to financially responsible students after holding a literacy workshop and participating in other youth events in Atlanta last week.

The rapper held a 21 Century Banking Workshop as a part of his Bank Account financial campaign with nonprofit organizations Get Schooled and Juma to continue bringing financial management resources to youth in Atlanta, instructing 40 students during a second phase, according to Rolling Stone. He also partnered with Congressman Hank Johnson and spoke with students about the negative effects of gang violence and gun violence, taught financial literacy to fourth graders, and paid visits to classrooms to highlight career paths in the music industry at Camp Jewell House Academy school. 

21 Savage gave $100 per student who attended the event and opened a bank account, Rolling Stone also reports. In order to keep students educated, he created monthly lessons on earning income, budgeting and more on the Get Schooled website.   

The rapper first began the campaign in March 2018. According to research, many Americans lack "basic levels of financial literacy." Only 19 percent of high school graduates have basic financial knowledge, while only 65 percent of Americans with graduate degrees do. Surveys show that blacks and Latinos have less knowledge of debt and other financial knowledge than white Americans. Congressman Johnson highlighted the benefits of learning about money management at an early age.

"Learning the invaluable lessons of financial literacy at an early age is critical to helping our young people grow and thrive as adults, and close the wealth gap with their peers,” he said. “Last year, I had the privilege of participating in one of 21 Savage’s philanthropic enterprises."

RELATED: 21 Savage Expands Bank Account Campaign To Provide More Youth With Financial Education

The rapper, who was born in the U.K. and released from ICE custody in February after being detained, has been open about not knowing much about financial responsibility growing up. 

"To really get ahead, you need to know how to manage your money, not just make it," Savage said at the event. "As I have gotten smarter about financial management, I realize how important it is to control your money rather than be controlled by it. I want to help kids with a background similar to mine to get smart about their money."

Canada Pledges $15M In Funding To Create Greater Opportunities For Musicians

GRAMMYs

The Roots

Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images)

News

The Roots Picnic 2019: The Roots, H.E.R., 21 Savage & More

Facebook Twitter Email
The music fest will feature a performance of the whole 'Things Fall Apart' LP and performances by City Girls, Raphael Saadiq and more
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Mar 12, 2019 - 12:03 pm

The Roots Picnic is back for its 12th year and this time will feature a special headline performance from GRAMMY-winning band The Roots in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their Things Fall Apart  album. H.E.R., 21 Savage and Lil Baby are among other artists on the music festival's bill happening June 1 in Philadelphia.

Raphael Saadiq,Tank & The Bangas and CityGirls will also have sets at the 2019 edition that will happen at The Mann At Fairmount Park. In a statement,  the Roots manager Shawn Gee and President of Live Nation Urban said the park had always been a part of the "vision" for the fest.

"We finally have a Roots Picnic in the Park,” he said. “The vision 12 years ago was always to provide an all day musical and cultural experience in Fairmount Park. Black Thought, Questlove and I grew up spending our Sunday afternoons at the Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park watching Philly DJs spin, and enjoying the vibe and the culture. It’s a great feeling to be able to come full circle and bring the Picnic to Fairmount Park, I think it’s a big WIN for the city."

RELATED: On 'Things Fall Apart,' The Roots Deepened Hip-Hop

In honor of their fourth album celebration, Questlove announced that the group would perform the whole album with special guests. "Finally: in honor of the 20th Anniversary Of our 4th album #ThingsFallApart we @TheRoots will perform the entire jawn w special guests live at our new location: The Mann At Fairmount Park Saturday June 1st 2019!" he posted on Instagram. 

Podcasting will also have a presence at the event; there will be live recordings of The Joe Budden Podcast, The Read Podcast and the Questlove Supreme Podcast.

Presale is open now and tickets for the general publuic go on sale March 15 12:00 p.m. EDT. For more information on tickets, visit the Ticketmaster website.

John Legend Pays Tribute To Aretha Franklin With A Stunning Cover Of "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

GRAMMYs

Summer Session 2019

News

GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center Announces Return Of Summer Youth Camp

Facebook Twitter Email
Summer Session will offer youth ages 13 to 18 an opportunity to gain tools needed to embark on a career in the music industry
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jul 29, 2020 - 5:25 pm

GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center is giving youth in New Jersey and New York something to look forward to this summer.

The museum in Newark, N.J. has announced its Summer Session camp will return to offer youth ages 13 to 18 an opportunity to gain tools needed to embark on a career in the music industry. The five-day camp running Aug. 17–21 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST every day will happen virtually through Zoom. It will focus on three tracks youth can explore: songwriting, hip-hop hitmaking and vocal performance. During the camp, music faculty and guest industry professionals will share insight.

Summer Session first launched in 2019 and featured GRAMMY-nominated singer/producer Mario Winans and renowned music director Alonzo Harris. Mark Conklin, Director of Artist Relations & Programming at the GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center, said the museum was thrilled to once again be able to empower youth interested in music. 

"Summer Session provides an unparalleled opportunity for students who want an inside look at the art, craft and business of music," he said in a statement. "If a student is seriously considering pursuing a career in music, or even curious about one, this program will give them the tools they need for a serious jump start."

The cost to attend will be $100. Tuition will be free for Newark students and some scholarships will be available for students outside of Newark.

For more information on the camp and how to apply, visit the museum's website.

How Girls Make Beats Is Making The Music Industry A More Welcoming Place For Girls Of All Backgrounds

GRAMMYs

Michael Lang 

Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Focus Features

News

Woodstock 50 Is Officially Cancelled

Facebook Twitter Email
The anniversary fest was meant to take place in two weeks at the Merriweather Post Pavilion around Baltimore
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Aug 1, 2019 - 11:40 am

It's official: Two weeks before scheduled to take place, organizers have announced that Woodstock 50, which originally had Miley Cyrus, The Raconteurs, Santana and more as headliners, is cancelled.

The festival that was to take place Aug.16–18 has faced issues ranging from financial troubles to issues with venues, since its inception. Co-founder of Woodstock and Woodstock 50 organizer Michael Lang cited artists backing down as one of the reasons the music event has decided to not go forward with the event this time, after having recently found a new venue, the Merriweather Post Pavilion around Baltimore, and starting a collaboration with HeadCount, a non-profit committed to getting people registed to vote. 

"We are saddened that a series of unforeseen setbacks has made it impossible to put on the Festival we imagined with the great line-up we had booked and the social engagement we were anticipating. When we lost the Glen and then Vernon Downs we looked for a way to do some good rather than just cancel," Lang said in a statement. "We formed a collaboration with HeadCount to do a smaller event at the Merriweather Pavilion to raise funds for them to get out the vote and for certain NGOs involved in fighting climate change. We released all the talent so any involvement on their part would be voluntary. Due to conflicting radius issues in the DC area many acts were unable to participate and others passed for their own reasons."

Lang enouraged artists who have been paid by the festival to donate to HeadCount: "I would like to encourage artists and agents, who all have been fully paid, to donate 10% of their fees to HeadCount or causes of their choice in the spirit of peace. Woodstock remains committed to social change and will continue to be active in support of HeadCount’s critical mission to get out the vote before the next election. We thank the artists, fans and partners who stood by us even in the face of adversity. My thoughts turn to Bethel and its celebration of our 50th Anniversary to reinforce the values of compassion, human dignity, and the beauty of our differences embraced by Woodstock.”

The festival had been struggling with several details throughout its planning. The festival struggled with venue permits, financial support, and having a clear lineup. In late April, it was announced that the festival was canceled to due to the backing out of their original funder, Dentsu Aegis Network.  

Woodstock 50 Music Festival Finally Finds Venue, Merriweather Post Pavilion

GRAMMYs

Michael Sticka 

Photo: Rebecca Sapp/WireImage via Getty Images 

News

Michael Sticka Named GRAMMY Museum President

Facebook Twitter Email
Sticka, who first joined the organization in 2014 and formerly held the position of Executive Director at the GRAMMY Museum, will continue to lead the museum's growth and strategy
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jul 30, 2019 - 2:14 pm

The GRAMMY Museum has promoted Michael Sticka to President as the Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy make the largest conributions to the museum in either organization's history.

Sticka, who first joined the organization in 2014 and formerly held the position of Executive Director at the GRAMMY Museum, will continue to lead the museum's growth and strategy. He will also "oversee all aspects of Museum operations, including curatorial, development, marketing, grants and awards, public and education programs, and more," a statement said. His contract will extend through 2022. 

“As Executive Director, I’ve witnessed our team’s incredible passion, hard work, and dedication, which has strengthened our impact and presence in the Los Angeles music and education communities,” said Sticka. “I’m honored that the Board has entrusted me in the role as President, allowing me to continue leading this extraordinary team with the purpose of driving our social good within the community and uphold the Museum's mission to educate, inspire, cultivate creativity, and share the significance of music."

Sticka, who created the museum's Community Engagement Department as executive director, said the museum will continue to invest in its community engagement, curatorial mission and education program. Sticka said the museum's goal is to reach 100,000 over the next five years. 

The Recording Academy contributed $5 million for museum renovations and technology updates, while the Latin Recording Academy will donate more than half a million dollars in a three-year period to grow the Latin music exhibits, education programs and the hiring of a Latin music curator. Both presidents of each organization shared their excitement for Sticka's promotion and their investment in the museum's work. 

“Under Michael’s leadership and guidance, the GRAMMY Museum has not only secured substantial new investments from the Recording Academy and the Latin Recording Academy, but has also seen a tremendous increase in visitors, revenue from attendance, merchandise and event sales, and more” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy and Chair of the Board of Directors of the GRAMMY Museum. “The Museum’s growth and path towards cementing its status as ‘the’ steward and place where Music Has A Home, as well as its future financial and business well-being is reflective of and a testament to Michael’s strategic vision, impressive operational skills, and exceptional leadership.”  

“We are thrilled to expand our relationship with the GRAMMY Museum,” said The Latin Recording Academy President/CEO Gabriel Abaroa Jr. “The Latin Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Museum share the commitment of educating the public about the significant contributions Latin music has made in the world. I look forward to expanding our presence inside the GRAMMY Museum in an impactful way that guides the narrative and preserves the stories of Latin music and its creators."

GRAMMY Camp Inspires Dreams, Not Fantasies