Skip to main content
 
  • Recording Academy
  • GRAMMYs
  • Membership
  • Advocacy
  • MusiCares
  • GRAMMY Museum
  • Latin GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
  • Advocacy
  • Membership
  • GRAMMYs
  • News
  • Governance
  • Jobs
  • Press Room
  • Events
  • Login
  • MusiCares
  • GRAMMY Museum
  • Latin GRAMMYs
  • More
    • MusiCares
    • GRAMMY Museum
    • Latin GRAMMYs

The GRAMMYs

  • Awards
  • News
  • Videos
  • Music Genres
  • Recording Academy
  • More
    • Awards
    • News
    • Videos
    • Music Genres
    • Recording Academy

Latin GRAMMYs

MusiCares

  • About
  • Get Help
  • Give
  • News
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Person of the Year
  • More
    • About
    • Get Help
    • Give
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
    • Person of the Year

Advocacy

  • About
  • News
  • Issues & Policy
  • Act
  • Recording Academy
  • More
    • About
    • News
    • Issues & Policy
    • Act
    • Recording Academy

Membership

  • Join
  • Events
  • PRODUCERS & ENGINEERS WING
  • GRAMMY U
  • GOVERNANCE
  • More
    • Join
    • Events
    • PRODUCERS & ENGINEERS WING
    • GRAMMY U
    • GOVERNANCE
Log In Join
  • SUBSCRIBE

  • Search
See All Results
Modal Open
Subscribe Now

Subscribe to Newsletters

Be the first to find out about GRAMMY nominees, winners, important news, and events. Privacy Policy
GRAMMY Museum
Membership

Join us on Social

  • Recording Academy
    • The Recording Academy: Facebook
    • The Recording Academy: Twitter
    • The Recording Academy: Instagram
    • The Recording Academy: YouTube
  • GRAMMYs
    • GRAMMYs: Facebook
    • GRAMMYs: Twitter
    • GRAMMYs: Instagram
    • GRAMMYs: YouTube
  • Latin GRAMMYs
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Facebook
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Twitter
    • Latin GRAMMYs: Instagram
    • Latin GRAMMYs: YouTube
  • GRAMMY Museum
    • GRAMMY Museum: Facebook
    • GRAMMY Museum: Twitter
    • GRAMMY Museum: Instagram
    • GRAMMY Museum: YouTube
  • MusiCares
    • MusiCares: Facebook
    • MusiCares: Twitter
    • MusiCares: Instagram
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy: Facebook
    • Advocacy: Twitter
  • Membership
    • Membership: Facebook
    • Membership: Twitter
    • Membership: Instagram
    • Membership: Youtube
GRAMMYs

Missy Elliott 

Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images

News
Go Behind The Scenes Of ESSENCE Fest 2019 go-behind-scenes-essence-fests-25th-anniversary-party-purpose

Go Behind The Scenes Of ESSENCE Fest's 25th Anniversary: Party With A Purpose

Facebook Twitter Email
Check out who stopped by backstage with the Recording Academy for exclusive interviews and more
THE GRAMMYs
GRAMMYs
Jul 6, 2019 - 8:11 pm

ESSENCE Fest is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and its pulling all the stops at the New Orleans' Superdome to show out. This year's fest, appropriately titled Party With A Purpose, brought out the some of the most iconic names in music, politics and other aspects of black culture. Check out who stopped by backstage with the Recording Academy for exlusive interviews and more below.

GRAMMYs

GRAMMY winner PJ Morton stopped by to talk about his history-making performance. The singer/songwriter and musician is the first artist to have recorded a live album at the fest. He told the Recording Academy that for him it was a coming full-circle moment.

GRAMMYs

GRAMMY-nominated artist Rapsody sat down with us to talk about the influential musical lineage of Black women who inspired her new album, Eve. Find out how she hopes to keep the tradition alive in our exlusive interview.

GRAMMYs

BJ The Chicago Kid came to ESSENCE Fest on a mission: "Ya'll need to know how important this album is," he tells the Recording Academy about his new album 11/23, which comes out July 26. Find out who he was excited to collab with on his forthcoming album in our chat with him. 

GRAMMYs

Missy Elliott celebrates the 20th anniversary of the GRAMMY-nominated Best Rap Album Da Real World and was inducted in the Songwriters Hall Of Fame last month by delivering a unforgettable main stage performance on Friday.

GRAMMYs

DaniLeigh stopped by the Recording Academy corner for a glamour shot. The artist was one of the performers of ESSENCE's After Dark performance series.

GRAMMYs

MAJOR. hung around backstage Friday night and stopped by for a snapshot. 

GRAMMYs

GRAMMY nominated rap pioneer MC Lyte is a busy woman. She took a quick minute backstage at the 25th ESSENCE Fest this weekend to talk about her latest projects, including curating “Women In Hip-Hop” for the festival. Check out who it featured in our interview. 

GRAMMYs

Sunday's main stage belonged to Mary J. Blige, who gave the Superdome crowd all the hits they could handle.

GRAMMYs

Angelica Vila brought her glowing vibe backstage at the Recording Academy photobooth. 

GRAMMYs

We caught up with GRAMMY-nominated R&B singer/songwriter Elle Varner backstage at ESSENCE Fest in New Orleans, where she told us what she hopes fans take away from her new album.

GRAMMYs

Water Seed stepped into the room all smiles and good vibes. 

GRAMMYs

Kenyan band Sauti Sol was in the house Friday night and stopped by the Recording Academy's corner backstage.

GRAMMYs

Saturday saw main stage headliner and GRAMMY winner H.E.R. deliver an electrifying set in an electric green outfit. 

GRAMMYs

Singer Nicole Bus performed at one of the ESSENCE After Dark series and stopped by to say hello.

GRAMMYs

Yung Miami of rap duo City Girls came through backstage to chat with us about writing with her partner JT, collaborating with Cardi B, what ESSENCE means to her and more.

GRAMMYs

Mumu Fresh sat down with us backstage to talk how she began to rhyme, what she learned as a back-up singer from groups like the Roots, what she loves about ESSENCE Fest and more.

GRAMMYs

Afrobeats artist Ayoinmotion, who puts on a live performance that dares you to stay still, brought his music and energy to the 25th ESSENCE Festival and stopped by for an interview. 

GRAMMYs

London's NAO first time at ESSENCE Fest included a chat with the Recording Academy. The singer felt right at home at the Party With A Purpose.

GRAMMYs

Rotimi's first time performing at ESSENCE Fest had him hyped during a chat with the Recording Academy. 

GRAMMYs

Singer Lucky Daye came to ESSENCE Fest ready to light up the stage. 

GRAMMYs

Jacquees caught us up on what he's working on and more. Expect his next album Round 2 soon. 

GRAMMYs

Christian "King" Combs brought his legacy to the fest. The rapper spoke with the Recording Academy about his new Cyncerely EP out now.

GRAMMYs

GRAMMY-nominated sensual singer Ro James dropped by to talk his much-anticipated next album. 

GRAMMYs

Rapper Bone Crusher had everyone laughing backstage. 

GRAMMYs

Tanzanian musician Rayvanny came through back stage with a big smile.

GRAMMYs

The Party With A Purpose would not be the same without South African rapper Nasty C. 

GRAMMYs

New York's very own emcee Oswin Benjamin was in the house as well.

Party With A Purpose: 5 Things To Get Excited For At ESSENCE Fest 2019 

GRAMMYs

Mary J. Blige

Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images

News
ESSENCE 2019: "It's Like A Family Reunion" magic-essence-25th-anniversary-celebration-its-family-reunion-even-though-you-dont-know

The Magic Of ESSENCE 25th Anniversary Celebration: "It's Like A Family Reunion Even Though You Don't Know Everybody Here"

Facebook Twitter Email
"Being able to celebrate black culture at this magnitude means everything because we've never had anything like this," MC Lyte said
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jul 8, 2019 - 5:57 pm

New Orleans' Central Business District looked starkly different Monday morning as city locals hurried to work in ties and business attire. Gone were the crowds of people walking around in the heat of the southern city in their most fabulous summer outfits as R&B, hip-hop, soul and more took over the Big Easy's Superdome once again for ESSENCE Fest 25th anniversary. 

This year locals and those from far and wide came together to watch performances from iconic artists like Missy Elliott and Mary J. Blige and hitmakers like Pharrell Williams and Timbaland to emerging artists like Normani and H.E.R at the biggest festival celebration of black culture in the country that took place July 5–7. But the festival was more than just music, it was a space where conversations around food, politics, business and more.  

ESSENCE Fest 2019: Recording Academy On The Road

While the fest has happened in New Orleans since its inception, this year was different for great reason. The fest, born out of ESSENCE magazine aimed mostly to its black female readership, celebrated 25 years of brining different parts of black culture under one roof and the musical artists performing reflected on the milestone. MC Lyte, who curated one of the ESSENCE events that took over the venues all over the city, with women in hip-hop broke down why the fest means so much. 

"Being able to celebrate black culture at this magnitude means everything because we've never had anything like this. Growing up, we certainly didn;t at least in my era and even now to date. The ESSENCE Music Festival is truly one of a kind," she said. 

For some performers like New Orleans native  PJ Morton, the 25th anniversary was a very special moment as it brought him back full-circle.  

"I've been going to this festival since I was 14 years old and really changed my life as far as wanting to be a musician and seeing how it was presented, " he said. "When ESSENCE asked me to be a part [of the festival] again, I said 'I just don't want to play it again, I've played it before, let's do something special. Especially to kind of commemorate all these things, winning the GRAMMY award this year and me being able to come home. Part of winning that GRAMMY and writing those songs and making that album was me leaving L.A. and moving back home to new Orleans three years ago, so for me it was just a perfect full-circle moment to do a recording."

The singer made history during the night of his performance by recording a live album at the fest for the first time ever.

Not at #EssenceFest this weekend? We've got you covered. https://t.co/RIcT1LLNfK

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) July 8, 2019

But he wasn't the only local with special ties to the fest. Rising star Normani, also a big easy native and first time performer at the fest, shared why the fest is so special to her.

"I'm grateful that I can finally be a part of it. For as long as I can remember growing up ESSENCE was ESSENCE and it's just really coolfor me to be a prt of it. My grandmother, she came, my nanny came,  my uncles they came out too and it's beautiful for me to be able to really represent my city in such a way, she said."

The opportunity to talk and have conversations with other women in particular is what excites singer Mumu Fresh the most about the festival. "[Women] who are affirming you and just sharing their stories."

"It's like a family reunion even though you don't know everybody here.They've shared your experience and everyone's just loving and gorgeous, all day long I've been walking by strangers who have been like 'YES hair, YES shoes YES face' and I'm like 'Awww heeyy, you too.' It's really fun, it's really beautiful."

NAO Talks Vulnerability & Being Black And British At ESSENCE Fest

Jeremy Zucker Lolla 2019

Jeremy Zucker at Lolla 2019 

Photo: Jacklyn Krol/Recording Academy

News
Behind The Scenes At Lollapalooza 2019 meet-us-behind-scenes-lollapalooza-2019

Meet Us Behind The Scenes At Lollapalooza 2019

Facebook Twitter Email
Chicago's iconic Lolla fest is a marathon four-day event, and the many artists who've visited our Recording Academy tent have kept the good vibes strong all week
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 3, 2019 - 9:16 am

The Recording Academy is at Lollapalooza 2019 this week, meeting up with a slew of amazing artists on the lineup. Scroll down to go on the road with us, live from Chicago's gorgeous skyscraper-lined Grant Park, as it becomes the Midwest's music mecca for the long weekend. We'll update this gallery as more artists pop in, so check back here for more excusive photos and soundbites. 

Jeremy Zucker Lolla 2019

Photo: Jacklyn Krol/Recording Academy

Rising chill-pop singer/songwriter Jeremy Zucker was our very first guest on day one and shared his excitement for the sunny day ahead and the opportunity to play for one of his biggest crowds to date.

GRAMMYs

Photo: Jacklyn Krol/Recording Academy

As singer/songwriter/producer King Princess walked through the press lounge, she couldn't get too far without being stopped for a photo—she was ready, in her mom's vintage '92 Lolla tee and custom painted-to-match white jeans. In addition to her epic look, we talked about her hopes for her Lolla performance, new music and more—read the full interview here.

GRAMMYs

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

French producer/looping-master/multi-instrumentalist FKJ stopped by before his Thursday set to talk musical experimentation on stage and generally preferring to go with the flow whenever possible. He also shared how his breakthrough single with Masego, "Tadow," was created in one-take in the studio—read the full interview here.

GRAMMYs

Photo: Jacklyn Krol/Recording Academy

French electronic composer/producer CloZee also stopped by to chat with us Thursday, right before she got the crowd grooving to her trippy, expansive music. She shared her excitement for her first-ever Lolla experience, some of her diverse musical influences and her love of Hans Zimmer. Find the conversation here.

RÜFÜS DU SOL Lolla 2019

Photo: Jacklyn Krol/Recording Academy

Australian indie electronic trio RÜFÜS DU SOL made time to stop by the Recording Academy lounge during their busy and quick Chicago trip, which included two Lolla Aftershows to bookend their electric sunset show the first night of the fest, before they headed to Montreal's Osheaga Festival. They talked about their love for the Windy City, hitting up arcades on tour and their plan to work on their follow-up to Solace once they wrap up their 2019 tour in late-October.  

The revealed that the forthcoming fourth studio album, like the last three, will be recorded in a new space. Lead singer Tyrone Lindqvist told us, "We always like to relocate somewhat from the place that we wrote the previous record. So, I think that we're gonna try to write separately, just for a little bit, in our own homes… We're gonna do that for at least the next six months and then we'll probably find a place to go write again next year."

Alexander 23 at Lolla 2019

Photo: Jacklyn Krol/Recording Academy

Fresh off his Lollapalooza debut, homegrown hero and rising indie-pop artist Alexander 23 stopped by to talk about his "surreal" experience performing the fest he used to attend as a local teen. "The last time I was here, I saw Chance [The Rapper] play the same stage I was playing, so to be on the other side of that, six or so years later, was the best day of my life," Alexander told us, grinning ear to ear.

Jackie Foster at Lolla 2019

Photo: Jacklyn Krol/Recording Academy

Singer/songwriter Jackie Foster stopped by our lounge shortly after her first-ever festival show, beaming, shimmery and still glowing from the crowd's love. A recent graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Foster was one of six artists hand-selected by the students of the Berklee Popular Music Institute year-long course, which provides practical experience for everyone involved, as they team up to prepare those selected for a festival show.

"I am ecstatic and honestly, more so than anything, the crowd that I had, they were so into it. That obviously makes me want to be a better performer. I loved the crowd, I felt so confident and I think this just reassures everything that I've hoped as an artist that this is what I'm going to do for the rest of my life," Foster told us, smiling.

Krilly at Lolla 2019

Photo: Jacklyn Krol/Recording Academy

Emerging Canadian rapper Killy stopped by after his big Thursday set at Lolla, sharing how he loved the energy of the crowd and their ability to mosh and get "lit" with him.

Josie Dunne at Lolla 2019

Photo: Jacklyn Krol/Recording Academy

Bubbly Chicago-born, Nashville-based pop singer/songwriter Josie Dunne was not officially on the Lolla 2019 lineup, but she was asked to cameo for several other artists' sets and was having a great time. She shared that it was her seventh time at the big fest, but first time as a performer and was having a fabulous time so far.

Falu at Lolla 2019

Photo: Jacklyn Krol/Recording Academy

GRAMMY nominee Falu, whose 2018 album Falu's Baazar was nominated for Best Children's Album at the 61st GRAMMY Awards, brought her "musical journey through South Asian culture" live show to the fest's lively Kidspalooza stage over the weekend. She shared her joy for bringing the album's live show to the fest, telling us; "I've never felt this excited to be performing at any festival before, it's a lifetime experience and I'm so lucky…I think a whole new world opened up for me."

GRAMMYs

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

Rising electropop trio SHAED sat down with the Recording Academy to talk about living the dream as they travel the world, the meaning behind their hit song "Trampoline" and working on their debut full length album. Check out their interview here. 

GRAMMYs

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

DJ/Producer Whethan hung out to chat about what to expect on his upcoming debut album, working with longtime heroes STRFKR, playing in his hometown of Chicago and more. Check out his full interview here.

GRAMMYs

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

Norwegian DJ and producer Matoma also sat down with the Recording Academy to talk about his single "Bruised Not Broken," working with MNEK, when his next single is coming out and more. Check out his full interview here.

Alesso at Lolla 2019

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

Swedish DJ/producer Alesso and his all-black clad posse stopped by our tent shortly after arriving in Chicago on Friday for his massive headline set at the fest. He talked about the big Lolla show, Tomorrowland, recent releses and more "hardcore dance music" that's on the way. Check out our full conversation here. 

HONNE at Lolla 2019

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

British electro-soul duo HONNE, consisting of James Hatcher and Andy Clutterbuck, sat down before their vibey Friday evening Lolla set to talk about their return to the fest, their last album, Love Me / Love Me Not, and connecting back home on the road by drinking loads of English breakfast tea. Check out our fun chat here.

Conan Gray at Lolla 2019

Photo: Ana Yglesias/Recording Academy

Rising singer/songwriter Conan Gray stopped by to talk about his Lolla debut—and first-ever festival show. The 20 year-old artist was glowing and excited for the big moment and we were grateful to share it with him.

GRAMMYs

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

Rising indie electro-pop star Chelsea Cutler sat down with the Recording Academy to talk about her latest album brent with friend and fellow singer/songwriter Jeremy Zucker (pictured above!). Check out our conversation here.

GRAMMYs

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

DJ and producer SNAILS did his first-ever DJ collab set with his label, Slugz Music, and Gud Vibrations, a.k.a. NGHTMRE & SLANDER during their shared Friday headline set. "It's a dream coming true, it's pretty insane," the Canadian DJ said the day after the big show. Hear more about it from him here.

GRAMMYs

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

AJR, made up of brothers Adam, Jack and Ryan Met, stopped by to chat with the Recording Academy before their Saturday set to share why they love playing festivals like Lolla.  

GRAMMYs

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

L.A.-based DJ/Producer Elephante stopped by to chat about everything he's been up to lately. First and foremost, he's just released a new song called "Diamond Days," which also happens to be the name of his upcoming fall tour. 

GRAMMYs

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

French DJ/Producer Madeon debuted the Good Faith Live experience at Lollapalooza. "I think it's a show that works best on a larger scale, and a festival felt like a great place to do that so I can bring an appropriately sized production," he told the Recording Academy.

GRAMMYs

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

Gamer-turned-singer/DJ/producer CRAY has an infectious energy both on and off stage. She brought that same glow backstage during a chat with the Recording Academy right after her Friday Lolla set, were she debuted singing live on stage. 

123 Andres at Lollapalooza

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

Latin GRAMMY winners 123 Andres—their bilingual Spanish and English album Arriba Abajo won Best Children's album at the 17th Latin GRAMMY Awards—stopped by, all smiles, before they brought their upbeat, inclusive music to the Kidzapalooza stage.

GRAMMYs

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

The Memphis pop-rock quartet The Band Camino stopped by before their big Lolla stage moment on Saturday to share their excitement. We also talked about other fun things, like their early musical influences, which including everything from the Eagles to The Killers to Coldplay and Taylor Swift. "This will be the biggest festival we've ever played, by far," singer Jeffrey Jordan told us. Check out the conversation here.

Evan Konrad at Lolla 2019

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

Emerging Canadian singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Evan Konrad visited the Recording Academy's lounge after his Lolla stage debut to share in the excitement of the long weekend.

GRAMMYs

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

Tucker Pillsbury, a.k.a. singer-songwriter Role Model, stopped by to chat with the Recording Academy before his debut Lolla set, which also happened to be his first-ever festival performance. He talked about his mentality going into playing to live audiences (he doesn't like to overthink things), feeling impatient to release new music and more. You can listen to our chat here.

Loud Luxury at Lolla 2019

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

L.A.-based Canadian DJ/producer duo Loud Luxury, consisting of Andrew Fedyk and Joe Depace, got loud during their massive-energy Lolla set on Saturday. They were excited to follow up the big vibes they experienced during their Lollapalooza shows in South America earlier this year with one at its flagship fest, on Depace's birthday, nonetheless. You can hear a bit about that in our Lolla recap video.

Tessa Violet at Lolla 2019

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

The effortlessly stylish Tessa Violet came over to give us her fiercest looks and share in the excitement of Lolla 2019, before she performed some of her new music on Saturday.

GRAMMYs

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

Nashville folk/pop trio Judah & The Lion, a.k.a. singer/guitarist Judah Akers, singer/mandolinist Brian Macdonald and banjoist/singer Nate Zuercher, recently released a powerful third LP called Pep Talks. The three of them sat down with us before their big Lolla show to chat about the album and Aker's deeply personal life experiences that inspired its subject matter. You can watch the interview here.

GRAMMYs

Photo: Jacklyn Krol/Recording Academy

Fresh off releasing her Una Vez Mas EP, pop singer Malu Trevejo stepped onto the Lollapalooza stage for the very first. The moment was a scary one for the 16-year-old Cuban-Spanish artist, but it was one that made her feel proud. She talked to the Recording Academy about the big moment, the album, advice for staying focused and more. Check out her full interview here. 

Coi Leray at Lolla 2019

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

New Jersey-raised rising rapper Coi Leray has mad swag at all times, especially when she visited us at Lollapalooza, with her bright orange tiger-striped look. She shared a bit of her big on-stage vibes afterwards in the press lounge, and we were grateful.

6LACK at Lolla 2019

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

We caught up with GRAMMY-nominated Atlanta alt-R&B artist 6LACK shortly before his Saturday Lolla show to talk about his return to the fest, recent collabs and when we can expect new music. We also learned more about his latest video for "Seasons" and how it felt to reunite with his fellow GRAMMY nominee Khalid. You can peep the whole interview here.

Shaq at Lolla 2019

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

NBA Hall Of Famer Shaquille O'Neil may be best known for his awe-inspiring moves on the basketball court, but now he's perfecting the art of making crowds go crazy from behind the DJ booth as DJ Diesel. We sat down with him before he got the kids dancing at his packed—and apparently very lit—Sunday DJ set. We discussed his musical evolution, love of bass music, how he crafts his sets on the fly, scratching his father's Commodores record after getting his first turntables in the '80s and more. Check out our chat here.

J.I.D. at Lolla 2019

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

Rising hip-hop artist J.I.D., part of J. Cole's Dreamville Records powerhouse squad, has been on fire lately. Just minutes after making his Lollapalooza debut, the Atlanta rapper explained the mood behind his new album, DiCaprio 2. "I wanted it to be a festival-like project… So I made these songs specifically for energy, for working out, for cardio." You can enjoy the conversation here.

The Revivalists at Lolla 2019

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

Eight-piece soul rockers The Revivalists went big for their fourth full-length album, last year's Take Good Care, enlisting the help of a trio of producers to let their New Orleans sound shine. Six out of eight of the bandmembers stopped by to chat before their powerful Sunday Lolla show.

"You start working with different producers and it's nice having another mindset in there where they can completely flip the idea of what you had for a song and then reinvigorate it and put new life into it," bassist George Gekas told us. Learn more in our interview here.

Yung Gravy at Lolla 2019

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

Minnesota rapper Yung Gravy is continuing to grow a following for his humorous lyrics and rap beats, and just released his debut album Sensational in May. He stopped by before his Sunday Lolla set to talk about Chicago, which he calls his second home, to reminisce about his first show ever, talk about the LP, musical influences and more. Check out the convo here.

6 Reasons To Be Psyched For Lollapalooza 2019, From J Balvin's Historic Set To Dancing With Shaq

GRAMMYs

NAO

News
ESSENCE 2019: NAO Talks Being Black And British nao-talks-vulnerability-being-black-and-british-essence-fest

NAO Talks Vulnerability & Being Black And British At ESSENCE Fest

Facebook Twitter Email
"With the change of how music's been listened to and the fact that we do have the internet, artists like me are able to find our way and sell out tours around the world... It's a really amazing thing," the singer/songwriter told the Recording Academy
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jul 8, 2019 - 10:43 am

British artist NAO was all smiles backstage during her first time at ESSENCE Fest. Although from across the pond, the "Another Lifetime" singer brought perspective to the event celebrating black culture in New Orleans.

"I'm British, we have a whole different scene out over there. To be black and British and a singer is actually quite new," she told the Recording Academy. "There's only a handful of people that have really been able to stand out, but with the change of how music's been listened to and the fact that we do have the internet, artists like me are able to find our way and sell out tours around the world... It's a really amazing thing."

NAO On Being Black & British, Vulnerability & More

Through her two albums, For All We Know and Saturn, the singer has transitioned from a sound she callled "wonky funk" (because there was no other way to describe her mix of R&B, electronic and funk) to what she called a more solidified sound on her sophmore effort.

Throughout her music making, she has been afraid to be raw.

"How I wish perfect was enough/ For my own heart/ Sometimes I swear it was enough/ For my own heart/ I guess I'll wait another lifetime," she sings in "Another Lifetime."
 
Regarding being open and honest in the studio, she said, "Being vulnerable is really easy when you're in the studio on your own, and I guess I kinda forget that. But in general what we understand about being vulnerable is how much it helps other people. I really understand now the power of music and the power of healing and the power of sharing your story in your words and how it can comfort  so many people."
 
NAO hopes to start working on her third album soon and that will probably mean more songs from the heart. "I'm happy to be vulnerable if it helps somebody get past a difficult time in their lives," she said.

Afrobeats Artist Ayoinmotion's Journey To ESSENCE Fest: "Hard Work Pays"

GRAMMYs

Mumu Fresh

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

News
Mumu Fresh Wants To Show All Of Her In Solo Music mumu-fresh-what-she-learned-working-roots-rhyming-more

Mumu Fresh On What She Learned From Working With The Roots, Rhyming & More

Facebook Twitter Email
The singer stopped by backstage at ESSENCE Fest to talk about her background and more
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Jul 7, 2019 - 5:33 pm

Mumu Fresh has done back up vocals for the likes of Erykah Badu, the Roots and Common, but now she's taking center stage and sharing all of herself with the world. Her magic in front of the mic can be seen during her NPR Tiny Desk performance, where she sang pieces of what she grew up with, including soul, hip-hop and Native music.

Mumu Fresh On Working With The Roots & More

The mix of sounds is something that has become important to her. "It's so so important for me. Before I used to compartamentalize my identities." she told the Recording Academy backstage at ESSENCE Fest. "There came a time when I was like, I want to be my whole self. I don't want to compermantalize."

She may be doing her own thing now, but that doesn't mean she's leaving behind what she learned as a back-up vocalist. 

"I've learned so much working with those artists, like my childhood heroes and some of the best performers in the game," she said, "I keep the lessons I learned from them with me."

Born Maimouna Youssef, she attended the Duke Ellington High School of Arts in D.C. and said she felt empowered being able to develop her talents in school.

"It was really powerful being able to be taught by teachers who are working in the field, so they could give you not just the experience they learned in school, but the experience that they were learning everyday being working, living artists, " she said. "I think they really helped me as a writer, especially with my confidence as a writer ...  I used to write rhymes, but I don't think I looked at myself as a writer and and there I started to not just write rhymes, but short stories and screenplays and then horizons just broadened in terms of what I could create and how powerful the ability to control your narrative was." 

She added: "As a band leader, I think being a woman I wasn't really confident in the beginning leading men, so I really learned how to do that."

But Fresh developed her rhyming skills outside of the classroom too. Her brother, a master MC, wouldn't let her come outside of their house during the summertime without a rhyming battle.

"If I didn't win, he'd send me back in the house. Everyday I would come back outside trying to sharpen my skills" she said laughing. " I loved it,I was a good student and loved having his approval."

As for what she loves about ESSENCE Fest, "It's like a family reunion even though you don't know everybody here, they've shared your experience." 

BJ The Chicago Kid On Rick Ross, His New LP '11/23,' The Honor Of Playing ESSENCE & More

Top
Logo
  • Recording Academy
    • About
    • Governance
    • Press Room
    • Jobs
    • Events
  • GRAMMYs
    • Awards
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
    • Store
    • FAQ
  • Latin GRAMMYs
    • Awards
    • News
    • Photos
    • Videos
    • Cultural Foundation
    • Members
    • Press
  • GRAMMY Museum
    • COLLECTION:live
    • Explore
    • Exhibits
    • Education
    • Support
    • Programs
    • Donate
  • MusiCares
    • About
    • Get Help
    • Give
    • News
    • Videos
    • Events
  • Advocacy
    • About
    • News
    • Learn
    • Act
  • Membership
    • Chapters
    • Producers & Engineers Wing
    • GRAMMY U
    • Join
Logo

© 2021 - Recording Academy. All rights reserved.

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright Notice
  • Contact Us

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.