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GRAMMYs

Aloe Blacc

Photo: Courtesy of GRAMMY Museum

News
Listen: Aloe Blacc | "Required Listening" aloe-blacc-musical-message-maker-required-listening

Aloe Blacc: Musical Message-Maker | "Required Listening"

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A creative whose range covers free expression, savvy business and social uplift, Blacc knows what he wants his songs to mean to future generations
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Aug 14, 2018 - 11:51 am

On the Aug. 8 episode of the GRAMMY Museum's Required Listening podcast, Artistic Director Scott Goldman sat down with R&B singer/songwriter Aloe Blacc for a wide-ranging interview setting his goals of "inspiration, motivation, aspiration" in contexts ranging from the historic to the deeply personal.

Listen Now: "Required Listening" With Aloe Blacc

Blacc reveals that his latest album, still in the works, reflects new emotions that emerged from his family life, as evidenced by its prerelease single "Brooklyn In The Summer." "I'm married and I have kids and I have love in my life," said Blacc. "I wanted to express this side of my artistry."

He describes writing a love song as a "new hat" because his releases are dominated by motivational messages he considers urgently needed in today's world. While Blacc admits Michael Jackson's social messages in songs helped him see what was possible, his greater mentors are voices such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Ghandi and Nelson Mandela. "These are the elders who have made their statements that last a lifetime," he shared.

Blacc's 2013 major-label debut, Lift Your Spirit was nominated for Best R&B Album at the 57th GRAMMY Awards and reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200. Seeing himself as an "artivist" — both an artist and an activist — he considers great lyrics as "poems that mean something forever." He seeks to embody positive uplift in his writing because whether positive or negative, "words become a mantra that you sing."

"When I decided to sign a contract with a major label, I realized that I had access to a megaphone that was much bigger than what I had prior," said Blacc. "I have a duty to use it in the right way."

Aloe Blacc On Using Music For Social Change

This lofty goal included Blacc's soaring vocals in collaboration with late EDM producer/artist Avicii on his 2013 international hit "Wake Me Up." "It's deeply saddening," said Blacc about his friend's death earlier this year. "It's really hard for me to take because I know how much he loved music and I feel like we've lost one of the greatest producers of our time."

Behind the social messages and even his recent, more romantic composing, Blacc has many other dimensions, including a background in business, artistic projects with producer/DJ Exile, and even his dark sides that he has no intention of sharing. "I'll write and create whatever I want," he said. "There's heinous concepts that I'd never release to the public, that I never want my kids to hear me sing."

The wide range that began when Blacc was a youngster learning LL Cool J's Bigger & Deffer by heart, "front-to-back," also led to his testimony earlier this year, during GRAMMY Week, before a field hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on copyright reform. Take this chance to follow his creative reasoning as we all discover where his artistry leads next in the latest episode of "Required Listening."

"Required Listening" Podcast
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Jeff Lynne
Jeff Lynne
Photo: Lester Cohen/WireImage

Listen: Jeff Lynne | "Required Listening"

I'm With Her, Aoife O'Donovan, Sarah Jarosz, Sara Watkins
I'm With Her
Photo: Jason Kempin/AMA/Getty Images

I'm With Her | "Required Listening"

GRAMMYs
Aloe Blacc
Photo: Courtesy of GRAMMY Museum

Listen: Aloe Blacc | "Required Listening"

Billy Porter Jr. and Scott Goldman
Billy Porter Jr. and Scott Goldman
Photo: Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images

"Required Listening" Billy Porter Jr.

Keith Urban and Scott Goldman photographed at SXSW 2018
Keith Urban and Scott Goldman
Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage.com

Listen: Keith Urban | "Required Listening"

Alessia Cara and Scott Goldman at the GRAMMY Museum
Alessia Cara and Scott Goldman
Photo: Rebecca Sapp/WireImage.com

Hear It Now: Alessia Cara | "Required Listening"

Andy Grammer and Scott Goldman at the GRAMMY Museum
Andy Grammer and Scott Goldman  
Photo: Rebecca Sapp/WireImage.com

Listen: Andy Grammer | "Required Listening"

Cold War Kids and Scott Goldman at the GRAMMY Museum
Cold War Kids and Scott Goldman
Photo: Rebecca Sapp/WireImage.com

Listen: Cold War Kids | "Required Listening"

Erika Ender and Scott Goldman on "Required Listening" podcast

Erika Ender | "Required Listening" Podcast

Heather Parry, Diddy, Scott Goldman, 2018
(L-R) Heather Parry, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Scott Goldman
Photo: Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images

Diddy, Heather Parry | "Required Listening"

Weezer and Scott Goldman at the GRAMMY Museum
Weezer and Scott Goldman (right)
Photo: Rebecca Sapp/WireImage.com

Listen: Weezer | "Required Listening"

Sheryl Crow and Scott Goldman at the GRAMMY Museum
Sheryl Crow and Scott Goldman
Photo: Timothy Norris/WireImage.com

Listen: Sheryl Crow | "Required Listening"

Justin Tranter and Scott Goldman, "Required Listening"
Justin Tranter and Scott Goldman

Listen: Justin Tranter | "Required Listening"

Jimmy Iovine, Scott Goldman and Allen Hughes at the GRAMMY Museum
Jimmy Iovine, Scott Goldman and Allen Hughes
Photo: Rebecca Sapp/WireImage.com

"Required Listening" Spotlights 'The Defiant Ones'

Scott Goldman and Julia Michaels at the GRAMMY Museum
Scott Goldman and Julia Michaels
Photo: Rebecca Sapp/WireImage.com

"Required Listening" On Julia Michaels' "Issues"

Scott Goldman and Dan Auerbach, 2017
Scott Goldman and Dan Auerbach
Photo: Alison Buck/Getty Images

"Required Listening" Dan Auerbach

Imagine Dragons at the GRAMMY Museum
Imagine Dragons
Photo: Alison Buck/Getty Images

"Required Listening": New GRAMMY Museum Podcast

Babyface, Johnny Mathis, Clive Davis and Scott Goldman at the GRAMMY Museum
Photo: Rebecca Sapp/WireImage.com

Johnny Mathis, Babyface | "Required Listening"

Subscribe To "Required Listening" And Listen Now At Apple Music

Imagine Dragons at the GRAMMY Museum

Imagine Dragons

Photo: Alison Buck/Getty Images

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"Required Listening": New GRAMMY Museum Podcast grammy-museum-howstuffworks-launch-required-listening-podcast

GRAMMY Museum, HowStuffWorks Launch "Required Listening" Podcast

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In partnership with the Recording Academy, new podcast gives listeners exclusive access to the most amazing music artists on the planet; new episodes to roll out twice weekly
THE GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
Jan 28, 2018 - 12:16 pm

Podcasts are having a moment.  Music streaming services are having another big year.

For the first time, the two mediums will come together to tell the biggest stories in the music industry from the best, most creative musicians and singers anywhere with "Required Listening," a new podcast from HowStuffWorks and the GRAMMY Museum in partnership with the Recording Academy.

Launched on GRAMMY Sunday, Jan. 28, the first episode features a captivating conversation with GRAMMY winners Imagine Dragons. With episodes rolling out twice weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays), future guests will include P Diddy, Dan Auerbach, Jimmy Iovine, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Lindsey Buckingham and Christie McVie of Fleetwood Mac, among others.

Listen Now: "Required Listening," Episode 1 With Imagine Dragons

The respected voice of The Recording Academy (The GRAMMYs) gives listeners exclusive access to the most amazing music artists on the planet. Each week, the program promises to “blow people's minds by providing an all-access pass to the artist inner circle.”  

Scott Goldman at the GRAMMY Museum

Photo: Vivian Killilea/Getty Images

More than just an interview show, "Required Listening" is an inspirational look at what makes each artist tick, how they got their start, and how they got to where they are today, bringing listeners that much closer to the artist and their journey.

The interview sessions are hosted by Scott Goldman, Executive Director of the GRAMMY Museum at the Clive Davis Theater in Los Angeles in front of a live audience.

"Establishing a podcast is an important step in the continuing evolution of the GRAMMY Museum," says Goldman, "'Required Listening' will bring audiences everywhere inside our Clive Davis Theatre for conversation, insight and inspiration with artists from across the musical spectrum."

Listen: New "Required Listening" Podcast By The GRAMMY Museum & HowStuffWorks

Anne Heaton

Anne Heaton

Photo: Barry Brecheisen/WireImage

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GRAMMY Camp—Weekend Heads To Pittsburgh grammy-camp%E2%80%94weekend-brings-music-career-training-pittsburgh

GRAMMY Camp—Weekend Brings Music Career Training To Pittsburgh

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Local students to receive reliable guidance on how their dedication and talent can turn into a livelihood in the music industry
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Oct 23, 2018 - 5:48 pm

On Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Penn., a special weekend program of GRAMMY Camp—Weekend will take students in-depth along three career tracks: audio engineering, songwriting and video production. The program will be presented in partnership between the GRAMMY Museum and Phase 4 Learning Center, which has been a model alternative education program for more than 14 years..

The experience will include instruction and networking, and training in specific career tracks, as well as collaborative instruction showing how the various pieces of the music industry puzzle fit together. Participating students will explore career strategies that can turn their passion and talent for music into a livelihood.

Professionals participating in the all-day event promise to deliver straight talk and reliable guidance about how high school students can make progress toward careers in the music industry. Participants will hear from working music industry pros including songwriters, producers and visual artists.

Independent filmmaker Michelle Ehlen has unique takes on society and comedy, and she has proved how writing, directing, acting and more can all exist in one determined talent. Similarly, singer/songwriter Anne Heaton earned her reputation as a folk singer/songwriter even before her 2003 album Black Notebook by making strong musical choices. Now many albums later, she is an honest voice, expert pianist and experienced instructor, conveying her art to the next generation face-to-face and online. Both women will be on-hand to share their expertise and experience with campers.

https://twitter.com/CityPGH/status/1011682122657075201

@CityPGH, @Allegheny_Co, and @PghWorkforce just kicked off the start of summer #LearnandEarn 2018 at the @BestBuy #TeenTechCenter inside Phase 4 Learning Center. pic.twitter.com/8K6Bi3s6Yi

— City of Pittsburgh (@Pittsburgh) June 26, 2018

Michael "Smidi" Smith will also provide guidance to help students find their way into a career in music. As a composer, producer, engineer, Emmy winner, and assistant professor at the USC Thornton School of Music in music technology, Smidi knows how to be hands-on to produce a final recording. He demonstrates personally — as the life histories of his fellow professional participants exemplify — obstacles can be successfully overcome by ensuring skill and talent work together.

This weekend edition is joined in spirit with the five-day immersive GRAMMY Camp held by the GRAMMY Museum from July 23 through July 27 in Los Angeles, for which applications are now open. The community of music creators show that musical livelihoods can be achieved by talented, dedicated commitment regardless of personal backgrounds or setbacks. The opportunities are there for the next generation.

GRAMMY Museum Signature Schools Announced In L.A. County

GRAMMY Museum

GRAMMY Museum

Photo: Ted Soqui/Corbis/Getty Images

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GRAMMY Museum Signature Schools Announced grammy-museum-signature-schools-announced-la-county

GRAMMY Museum Signature Schools Announced In L.A. County

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Four worthy local programs will receive cash grants totaling $90,000 over the next three years
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Oct 16, 2018 - 2:29 pm

On Oct. 16 the GRAMMY Museum announced four Los Angeles County public high schools have been selected to receive cash grants totaling $90,000 thanks to the GRAMMY Museum Signature Schools program, a GRAMMY In The Schools initiative, and the philanthropy of The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation.

The recipients are Blair High School in Pasadena, Glendale High School, John Marshall High School in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles, and Norwalk High School. The cash awards will be distributed over a three-year period. Additionally, each school will receive a custom award for display and recognition by the GRAMMY Museum.

"Every year is a struggle to keep the train on the track," said educator Amy Rangel of her program at Glendale High School Music several years ago, describing the community effort, financial help and ongoing struggles that come together while traditional school funding also does all it can. One high point for her was when her kids performed with donors Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. "All those guys in the band started in their school band program," she said. "That's where the seed was planted."

https://twitter.com/BUMKEY/status/1050935584162635776

unforgettable experience at @GRAMMYMuseum #michaeljackson #raycharles#dtla #grammy pic.twitter.com/01LN5Ro5OC

— BUMKEY (@BUMKEY) October 13, 2018

Both at home in L.A. Live and through its many outreach programs, the GRAMMY Museum and its generous partner organizations also do all they can to support the artists of tomorrow who are still kids today — as well as supporting the social and psychological benefits that music education promotes.

In the big finale for the movie Grease, Signature School John Marshall H.S. had a starring role as the make-believe Rydell H.S. But for the children attending this year's Signature Schools, their music programs are an ongoing celebration which is only the beginning.

Education Champions: 2019 Music Educator Award Semifinalists Announced

GRAMMYs

2018 Honoree Melissa Salguero

Photo: Slaven Vlasic/FilmMagic

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2019 Music Educator Award Semifinalists Announced education-champions-2019-music-educator-award-semifinalists-announced

Education Champions: 2019 Music Educator Award Semifinalists Announced

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Across the U.S., 2,800 dedicated teachers were considered and carefully narrowed down to 25 outstanding semifinalists
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Oct 10, 2018 - 2:53 pm

On Oct. 10 the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum proudly announced the 25 semifinalists for the 2019 Music Educator Award, champions of music education nominated by grateful students and parents. Full-time public and private teachers from all 50 states received a total of 2,800 nominations via www.grammymusicteacher.com, and the one winner will be announced during GRAMMY Week.

"Music and the arts should be a part of every child's education," said 2018 MEA honoree Melissa Salguero, while receiving her award at the 2018 GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends. The following champions of musical creativity in education, representing 16 states, make that goal a reality every day and are now in semifinal consideration for next year's honor:

2019 Music Educator Award Semifinalists

Michael Antmann, Freedom High School, Clermont, Fla.
Jeff Ball, The Grand Street Campus High Schools, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Deanna Bell, Vestavia Hills Elementary East, Irondale, Ala.
Jeremy Bradstreet, Dublin Coffman High School, Dublin, Ohio
John Burn, Homestead High School, San Jose, Calif.
Victor de los Santos, Santa Ana High School, Santa Ana, Calif.
David Dehner, Cornerstone Christian Schools, San Antonio, Texas
Elizabeth Hering, Churchill High School, Canton, Mich.
Paul Holzen, Parkway Central Middle School, Dardenne Prairie, Mo.
Brandi Jason, Liberty High School, Sykesville, Md.
Gary Meggs, Arkansas High School, Texarkana, Ark.
Henry Miller, Sierra Vista Middle School, Lake Forest, Calif.
Brian Querry, Charles A. Huston Middle School, North Apollo, Pa.
Michael Raiber, Oklahoma City University, Norman, Okla.
Amy Rangel, Glendale High School, Burbank, Calif.
Jeffery Redding, West Orange High School, Orlando, Fla.
Joshua Shaw, Coronado High School, Lubbock, Texas
Scott Sheehan, Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School, Hollidaysburg, Pa.
Mickey Smith Jr., Maplewood Middle School, Sulphur, La.
Craig Snyder, Penncrest High School, Garnet Valley, Pa.
Sarah Todd, Mary Lyon Elementary School, Chicago, Ill.
Matthew Trevino, Roan Forest Elementary, San Antonio, Texas
Helen Walker, Doby's Mill Elementary, Camden, S.C.
John Weatherspoon, Lake Worth Community High School, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Heath Wolf, Farmington Junior High, Kaysville, Utah

From this list, 10 will advance to consideration as finalists, announced this December. The remaining 15 semifinalists will receive an honorarium of $500 and their schools will receive matching grants thanks to the generosity and support of the GRAMMY Museum's Education Champion Ford Motor Company Fund. Outreach for this program has been assisted by the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, NAMM Foundation, and National Education Association.

The recipient of the sixth annual honor will be flown to Los Angeles to participate in GRAMMY Week festivities and attend the upcoming 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 10, 2019, in addition to receiving an honorarium and matching school grant. The remaining nine finalists will receive an honorarium of $1,000 and their schools will receive matching grants. While the selection is competitive, the Music Educator Award shines its light on all educators who "made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools."

Nominate Your Favorite Music Teacher For The 2020 Music Educator Award

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.