Monica

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5 Questions With ... Monica

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GRAMMY-winning artist visits The Recording Academy
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm
GRAMMY.com

GRAMMY-winning R&B artist Monica recently visited The Recording Academy's headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif., for an installment of 5 Questions With … . The singer discussed the importance of music education, mentoring, her favorite GRAMMY moment, social networking, and the importance of being an Academy member.

"I came not expecting to win at all," said Monica of her GRAMMY win in 1998 for "The Boy Is Mine." "I was honored in my heart to be nominated. Winning never crossed my mind. I had never won any award in any form. [I] was just simply surprised, and looking back at the moment, just excited."

May 15, 2017 – 2:36 am

5 Questions With... Monica



Monica was born Monica Denise Arnold in Atlanta. As a young girl she performed in local churches and talent show contests, and by the age of 10 she joined the traveling gospel choir Charles Thompson And The Majestics. At age 11 she was discovered by producer Dallas Austin, who offered a record deal with Rowdy Records. In 1995 Monica released her debut album, Miss Thang, which spawned the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hits "Before You Walk Out Of My Life," "Why I Love You So Much" and "Don't Take It Personal (Just One Of Dem Days)." Her sophomore album, The Boy Is Mine, was released in 1998 and yielded two No. 1 hits, "The First Night" and "Angel Of Mine." The album's title track featured a duet with Brandy and earned them each a GRAMMY for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals. Monica received two GRAMMY nominations in 2010, including a nod for Best R&B Album for Still Standing. She is currently working on her latest album, New Life, which is tentatively scheduled for release later this year.

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Janelle Monáe and guitarist Kellindo Parker perform at The Recording Academy

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Fuel For Inspiration

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5 Questions With… Janelle Monáe
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm
GRAMMY.com

GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Janelle Monáe visited The Recording Academy headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif., on July 13 for a special performance and participated in 5 Questions With…, The Academy's new series designed to engage recording artists and professionals on a variety of topics.

Monáe performed two songs, "Sincerely, Jane" and "Smile," before taking time out to answer questions regarding the importance of membership in The Recording Academy, the influence of musical theater on live performance, and mentoring.

Asked about what it was like to receive a GRAMMY Award nomination, Monáe said, "I was very appreciative and just humbled and encouraged; most importantly, encouraged.” Monáe added how receiving a GRAMMY nod gave her the fuel and encouragement needed to complete her debut album The ArchAndroid, released May 18.

Born Janelle Robinson in Kansas City, Kan., Monáe started her career in musical theater. After performing in a few off-Broadway shows she moved to Atlanta where she joined a band and began touring the local college circuit. That's also where Monáe met OutKast's Big Boi, who placed two of her songs on his 2005 compilation Got Purp? Vol. 2, and then again on OutKast's 2006 release Idlewild. She released her first EP, Metropolis, Suite I: The Chase, in 2007 and the following year signed with GRAMMY winner Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records. She received a Best Urban/Alternative Performance GRAMMY nomination for "Many Moons" at the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards.

May 15, 2017 – 2:36 am

5 Questions With... Janelle Monáe

More 5 Questions With... video: V.V. Brown, Jakob Dylan, Alejandro Fernández, Florence + The Machine, Rosi Golan, K'Naan, John Legend, Bruno Mars, Janelle Monáe, and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart

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5 Questions With ... DJ Skee

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Innovative DJ visits Recording Academy headquarters
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm
GRAMMY.com

DJ Skee recently visited The Recording Academy's headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif., for an installment of 5 Questions With … . During his visit, he discussed the importance of music education, his favorite GRAMMY moment, social networking, the importance of being an Academy member, and creating the live show experience.

"I thought the scene was ready for something new and interactive," said DJ Skee on creating his live show experience, Skeetox. "I always wanted to push the boundaries and do something next-level. [Now] it's kind of like the live, ultimate concert experience."

May 15, 2017 – 2:36 am

5 Questions With... DJ Skee

Influenced by such combination DJ/artists as Travis Barker and the late DJ AM, DJ Skee created Skeetox in 2010. Considered to be a sonic and visual extravaganza, Skeetox features DJ Skee on turntables, remixing songs across an array of styles, including hip-hop, pop, electronic, and rock, backed by a six-piece band. Skeetox has been joined by guest artists such as Chamillionaire, Lil Jon, Mike Posner, Snoop Dogg, and Warren G, among others. DJ Skee is a radio DJ on 102.7 KIIS-FM in Los Angeles. He has also produced and remixed tracks for artists ranging from Jay-Z to Quincy Jones, and has collaborated with Akon, Chris Cornell and the Game, among others. In 2007 DJ Skee launched Skee.TV, a production, marketing and content distribution company specializing in creative and high-production music videos and new media marketing. During GRAMMY Week in February, DJ Skee performed at Word Revolution: A Celebration of Hip-Hop, the 13th Annual GRAMMY Foundation Music Preservation Project.

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Colbie Caillat

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5 Questions With ... Colbie Caillat

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GRAMMY-winning artist sits down with The Recording Academy
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm
GRAMMY.com

On May 31 GRAMMY-winning artist Colbie Caillat helped present Los Angeles-based Santee Education Complex with the GRAMMY Foundation's 2011 GRAMMY Signature Schools Enterprise Award. Prior to the presentation, Caillat sat down with The Recording Academy for an installment of 5 Questions With … , discussing music education, the influence of social media and winning her first GRAMMY, among other topics.

"When I was younger I just wanted to be a singer," said Caillat. "I never realized how important it is to write a song and to learn how to play an instrument. Songwriting for me is this amazing therapy that you can do on your own, and people can relate to the songs that you write. If I didn't have those tools from when I was younger then I wouldn't be where I am today."

May 15, 2017 – 2:36 am

5 Questions With... Colbie Caillat

A California native and the daughter of GRAMMY-winning producer/engineer Ken Caillat, Colbie Caillat began taking vocal lessons at age 11 after being inspired by GRAMMY winner Lauryn Hill's performance in Sister Act 2. She eventually forged relationships with producer Mikal Blue, who recruited her to sing on several techno tracks being used for fashion runway shows, and songwriter Jason Reeves. With the help of Blue and Reeves, Caillat posted several unfinished tracks on Myspace, eventually landing her the position of number one unsigned artist for four months straight when she posted her first hit single "Bubbly," which garnered more than 14 million plays. Following her Myspace success, Caillat inked a record deal with Universal Republic and released her debut album, Coco, in 2007. The album peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and featured "Bubbly," which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her sophomore effort, Breakthrough, was released in 2009, this time topping the Billboard 200 and spawning the hits "Fallin' For You" and "I Never Told You." That same year, Caillat earned her first GRAMMY for appearing on the title track to Taylor Swift's GRAMMY-winning Album Of The Year Fearless, and another for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for "Lucky" featuring Jason Mraz. Her most recent release, All Of You, is due out in July.

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Josh Baze

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5 Questions With ... Josh Baze

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Brooklyn, N.Y., native rapper lets the beats tell the story
GRAMMYs
Dec 2, 2014 - 4:06 pm
GRAMMY.com

Rapper/singer Josh Baze was the recent guest for an installment of The Recording Academy's 5 Questions With … series. Held at The Recording Academy's headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif., Baze discussed his favorite GRAMMY moment, music education, utilizing social media, his songwriting process, and working with music video/film director Hype Williams, among other topics.

"Each instrument tells a story," said Baze on his songwriting process. "I take a turning point out of my life and [match] it with the beat and make sure it makes a story that's connected to the people out there, or from my heart to yours. I make sure there's a connection with me and the fans."

May 15, 2017 – 2:36 am

5 Questions With... Josh Baze

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Baze, who was inspired by his musician father to start creating music, cites fellow New York natives such as the late Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z as major influences. Baze ventured to Los Angeles to record his debut album #smash, and since then several singles from the album have been released, including "Hollyhood" and "Peroxide." Baze's latest single, "We Made It," will feature an accompanying video directed by GRAMMY-nominated video director Williams, set to debut on Aug. 9. The album is set to be released on Feb. 14, 2012, and will feature collaborations with Deadmau5 and GRAMMY winner Jamie Foxx.

Come back to GRAMMY.com on Aug. 9 to view Baze's exclusive performance at The Academy. For updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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