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GRAMMYs

Kiana Ledé 

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Up Close & Personal: Kiana Ledé kiana-led%C3%A9-talks-opening-%E2%80%98kiki-lucky-daye-collab-%E2%80%9Curban%E2%80%9D-term-close-personal

Kiana Ledé Talks Opening Up On ‘KIKI,' Lucky Daye Collab & “Urban” Term | Up Close & Personal

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Kiana Ledé created her studio album debut 'KIKI' with a powerful approach - find out why the album is special to her
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Aug 11, 2020 - 12:24 pm

Kiana Ledé launched her studio album debut KIKI with a powerful mindset.

"Kiki is an album that I just let myself go. I let myself go to all the spaces. I let myself fully truly be myself," she said on the latest Up Close & Personal. While she says she has been a people pleaser in the past, the 23-year-old rising R&B singer didn't subject herself to that on her album: "I didn't want to have any opinions. I wanted to just make music that I knew made me feel good [at] the moment whether that was a negative or a positive feeling and have no influences whatsoever."

Up Close & Personal: Kiana Ledé

Lyrically, KIKI is a trip into heartache and the bounce back from it but is also filled with tracks oozing with self-love, and joy. At the center of it is a vulnerability that has come to her as she has gone further into womanhood. On the album, she did not "run away from things," including her childhood home pictured on the cover, which Ledé reveals she used to feel a little ashamed of when she was younger. 

While COVID-19 affected her album release, she didn't let it kill her vibe. Ledé says her fans helped make the launch special. 

"My fans are amazing and they were really great and didn't allow it to really fall through the cracks at all," she said. "They really pushed hard for me because they knew how much it meant to me and how important the moment was and how much it means to them."

During her Up Close & Personal interview, the passionate artist also shares how it was working with fellow R&B singer Lucky Daye, how she continues to grow comfortable in her mixed identity and talks about how the industry can better support artists like herself. 

DaBaby Talks 'BLAME IT ON BABY (DELUXE),' Black Lives Matter Remix Of "ROCKSTAR" And Rap's Obsession With Deluxe Albums

GRAMMYs

Ashton Travis

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Up Close & Personal: Ashton Travis close-personal-ashton-travis-phoenix-mode-sounds-shaped-him

Up Close & Personal: Ashton Travis On 'PHOENIX MODE,' The Sounds That Shaped Him

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He may be on the rise, but the H-town native has already hit his desired level of success
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Sep 15, 2020 - 4:37 pm

Houston's given us Beyoncé, Travis Scott, Megan Thee Stallion and now, Ashton Travis.

He may be on the rise, but for the H-town native, Travis has already attained his desired level of success.

Ashton Travis On Making 'PHOENIX MODE'

"I'm proud. Put my name next to the greats," he says on the latest Up Close & Personal. "That's on the way. Really, I'm already there."

The "Passion & Pain!" singer also shares the sounds that shaped him, how it was working on his EP PHOENIX MODE (out now) and why he's decided to have no vocal collabs so far. 

"I just want people to be introduced to me," he says, adding that he is open to working with people in the future. 

Travis also talks about how it's been working on his forthcoming LP. Watch the interview to get to know more about Ashton Travis and his music. 

GRAMMY Rewind: Ludacris Dedicates Best Rap Album Win To His Dad At The 2007 GRAMMYs

Duckwrth

Duckwrth

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Duckwrth On 'SuperGood,' "Insecure" & More close-personal-duckwrth-talks-celebration-supergood-respecting-black-artistry-insecure

Up Close & Personal: Duckwrth Talks Celebration Of 'SuperGood,' Respecting Black Artistry, "Insecure" & More

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We caught up with the South Los Angeles artist ahead of the August release of his debut studio album, 'SuperGood,' to talk new music, dream collaborations, celebrating Black music and artists, and more
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 4, 2020 - 1:09 pm

Los Angeles-born left-field rapper/singer Duckwrth (born Jared Lee) has been making waves since he released his debut solo mixtape, I'M UUGLY, in 2016. Showcasing his expansive musical taste, playful lyrics and his mailable vocals and flow, the successful project led to a record deal with Republic Records, an opening spot for Anderson .Paak and a loyal, ever-growing fan base. An XTRA UGGLY Mixtape followed in 2017, with several tracks getting TV and film placement, including the ecstatic "MICHUUL.," which was featured on "Insecure" and "All American."

In May 2019, the "Bernal Heights" artist dropped THE FALLING MAN EP and now, this month, he'll be releasing his highly anticipated debut studio album, SuperGood. As he recently told us, the album has been a long time coming and now the timing is just right.

"I actually had the name for this album since 2013 and just the feeling of it, I've had it since 2013 but I never was in a right space with myself mentally and energy-wise to be able to present an album that felt like a celebration."

Duckwrth On Celebrating Black Rhythms On SuperGood

Related: GRAMMY Museum Launches Spotlight Saturdays Featuring Up-And-Coming Artists

GRAMMY.com continues their Up Close & Personal interview series (from home, via Zoom) with Duckwrth. Watch the full conversation above to hear him share more about SuperGood and its lead singles "Coming Closer" and "Find A Way," as well as his love of Issa Rae and "Insecure" and some of his dream collaborators (Rosalía is on the list!).

The "Crush" artist also talks about his vision for creating more Black animations (watch the music video for "Find A Way" below) and how the entertainment industry can better support Black artists.

Read: Yvonne Orji On Her First-Ever HBO Comedy Special, Faith & Celebrating Black Joy

"I think musically, [what's needed] is just respect for Black artistry and being able to be placed in different places, like more Black artists in pop. That would be major. For me, I'm not heavy on pop, listening to pop all the time, but I do understand the importance of seeing a Lizzo in pop.

"That's important, and [so is] seeing more Black faces in pop music because that opens up the door for other artists to come after them and it becomes a norm. It doesn't have to be this conversation of, 'Oh, you can't put them there because they're Black.' It's that plus just circulating dollars in the Black community and helping them grow," Duckwrth added.

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Sacred Spaces: Rufus Wainwright, YUNGBLUD, Keb' Mo' And Others Reflect On The Independent Venues And Clubs That Changed Their Lives

Ashanti

Ashanti

Photo: Recording Academy

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Ashanti On "Getting Back To R&B Roots" On New EP watch-ashanti-talks-getting-back-rb-roots-new-ep-close-personal

Watch: Ashanti Talks "Getting Back To R&B Roots" On New EP | Up Close & Personal

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The GRAMMY-winning songstress also talks about going independent, staying humble, her Y2K "Foolish" era and more
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Oct 10, 2019 - 4:58 pm

GRAMMY-winning R&B songstress Ashanti was just 21 when she released her debut, No. 1 hit single "Foolish" in 2002, and she's been unforgettable ever since. The sultry, can't-help-but-sing-along bop served as the lead single for her powerful self-titled debut studio album, which earned the emerging star a GRAMMY for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 45th GRAMMY Awards.

Fast forward to 2014, when Ashanti released her fifth studio album, Braveheart, her first release on her own label, Written Entertainment, which she launched in 2011. Now, 18 years since she first rocked our worlds with her fire feature on Ja Rule's "Always On Time," Ashanti is still ready to serve up more.

Ashanti Talks Getting Back To R&B Roots On New EP

For the latest episode of the Recording Academy's Up Close & Personal video series, we sat down with the stylish New Yorker to learn more about her next project, what that first rush of success felt like for her, going independent and more. You can watch a portion of the conversation above and read the full interview below. You can also visit on our YouTube page for a longer version of the video, as well as for other recent episodes.

Read: JAMESDAVIS On Their Latest Album 'MASTERPEACE,' Music Industry Advice & More | Up Close & Personal

So you recently dropped "Pretty Little Thing" featuring Afro B, along with the music video with so many fierce looks. Can you tell us a bit about that song and maybe your favorite look from the video?

Thank you! My new single, "Pretty Little Thing," that I did with Afro B was such an awesome experience. I shot the video in the Keys in Miami and it was so cool because the reason that I did the song was I just dropped a collab swimsuit line with PrettyLittleThing, and it just made so much sense. You know, how music goes with fashion, and I said, "Hey, we need a new record. Let's put it in the campaign." So we shot a video, we shot a commercial and the synergy was just amazing. It all came out so organic and the vibe of the song matched the line. It's Afrobeats and the vibe of the swimsuit line is very exotic and global, and very island-y. Everything had an amazing synergy, so I was really excited.

One of my favorite looks from the video; [pauses] there was a really cute looks! I like my look with the horse and the braids and the one with the zebra/snake print chaps. My sister actually designed the collection, and we had the bathing suit and we were sitting on Jeeps with the same print.



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When ever it comes to you... link in bio

A post shared by Ashanti (@ashanti) on Sep 2, 2019 at 9:01am PDT

Earlier in the summer you released another upbeat jam, "The Road," with Machel Montano. Where was that video shot? Was it as fun as it looked?

It was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. I actually went out to do Machel Monday and Carnival in Trinidad, which was my first time, and it was life-changing. I had so much fun, I don't think I've ever partied like that in all my years. [Laughs.] It was an amazing, amazing experience and I just found a new found respect for soca music.

I had a show in Trinidad a few years ago and we did a remix to one of the biggest [soca] records, which was one of Machel's, "Like Ah Boss." We went back and forth on Instagram and he's like, "Much respect. Thank you for showing so much love. We need to do something together." Fast forward, that turned into a FaceTime call and then a studio session. And then we recorded this awesome record and then we performed it for Carnival and Machel Monday. We actually shot the video with Director X in Trinidad while Carnival was going on. So those were real moments, that wasn't scripted. The beach part, yes, but the stuff on the road was all organic. It was really cool.

I know a lot of your fans are hoping this new music points to a new album. Can you tell us anything about what's happening on your next project?

I'm very excited to be releasing more music. I think just for me, I'm at a point where I want to try different things. I love Afrobeats, I love reggae music, I love soca music. And as an artist, you want to fulfill your creative energy, you know? But I'm definitely getting back to my R&B roots. [Laughs.]

I'm very, very excited about the new EP, I'm working on it with Metro Boomin. We have some amazing records I'm very, very excited about it. Some amazing other producers and some writers and I'm just really excited about the new sound. You know, there are a couple of things that I'm talking about that I've never talked about before. And some people are going to be like, "Oh my gosh, did she say that?" I'm excited about it.

Recently there's also been some talk about a The Inc. Reunion tour maybe happening in the future. Would that be something that like you'd want to be a part of?

I know that there's been some talks about it. I'm not really sure what's going on right now, but we'll see. [Laughs.]

In 2011, you started Written Entertainment and went independent, which is super cool. I'm curious what that transition meant to you? 

What led me to go independent? I had offers from seven majors at one time and it was really hard to sit, you know, me being Libra, and be like, "Okay, what should I do? Where should I go? I don't know what to do." And at that time the labels were offering 360 deals, and I'm just not a fan of that, that's not my thing. So I made the very bold decision and scary decision to go independent.

And just as an artist, that has had success—I'm very humble—and I've had relationships to be able to make phone calls and, you know, strengthen my partnership with iTunes/Apple and things like that. So I think it's beneficial when you own your masters. It's a digital world, you know, at the touch of a button you can expose your music to millions of people.

So I think just learning to trust myself, learning to be motivated to say, "Hey, your future is in your hands and your destiny," is really important. You have to kind of be in the driver's seat and know what's going on. It's very hard being the executive and the artist.

I feel like at some points I would be in the studio and I'm like, "I want to stay in here all night. You know, I want to record for five days." And the other side of me is like, "Yeah, but who's going to pay that bill?" So you have to be like the exec and the artist and still be creative, you know? So I think it was a really great decision now and I had so many of my peers calling me like, "I should have did that when you did it and I'm doing it now."

And then when you were 21, your first single "Foolish," along with your features with Ja Rule and Fat Joe, were huge hits. What did that initial success feel like for you?

The initial success of "Foolish," "Always On Time" and "What's Love?" was just really weird for me because I didn't know. I would always ask like, "Is this good, guys? Are we doing good?" I really didn't understand it. And it's weird because I'm a humble person, and even back then I was a little naive, you know. We were making history and we were on the top of the charts and everyone around me, all the guys are like, "Yeah!" and I'm like, "Oh, so this is a good thing."

So it feels good to later understand how much it meant and how pivotal it would be in my career, even now. You know, to be there and performing these same records and getting the same exact reaction, you know, years later from younger crowds, you know? So it's really, really, really a blessing and it just goes to show you, like, when you're working hard and you're creating meaningful music, that stands the test of time.

Yes, they still hit hard.

They still rocking, baby! [Grins.]

As you've navigated the music industry, who have been your biggest mentors and role models?

I'm just a huge advocate of women empowerment. Just being a young female in this very male-dominated industry it's just so hard sometimes to garner that same respect. And still respect yourself and go in and be focused on music and not be distracted by other things going on.

My mom has been a huge inspiration to me. It's weird because I grew up watching her in a business suit, with a briefcase, going to work and it was very different from what I'm doing in my career. So I think the path is just being a very powerful, strong woman going into the workforce. And that's kind of the same mentality that I have. I have been inspired by women before me to open up the doors.



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Reacclimated

A post shared by Ashanti (@ashanti) on Sep 16, 2019 at 4:25pm PDT

That's awesome. What would be your piece of advice for a young person that's trying to get into music and not really sure where to start?

I would say, it's way easier now than it was for me. You know, you can upload yourself on YouTube and end up on "Ellen" or "The Voice" or and all these other shows that are kind of catalysts. I think you have to be very determined, I think you have to be motivated, you have to have a thick skin and you have to have an incredible drive. Not everyone is going to like you. You're definitely going to get rejected before you get accepted, and as long as you're able to maintain your expectations, you should be okay.

Omar Apollo Talks Being Young, Indie & Latinx | Up Close & Personal

GRAMMYs

Jhené Aiko 

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Up Close & Personal: Jhené Aiko how-jhen%C3%A9-aikos-chilombo-shows-her-most-authentic-self-helping-heal-world-close

How Jhené Aiko's 'CHILOMBO' Shows Her Most Authentic Self & Is Helping Heal The World | Up Close & Personal

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The GRAMMY-nominated artist shares her personal evolution and reveals how incorporating crystal alchemy sound bowls is helping her heal audiences, even on her sensual tracks
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Aug 25, 2020 - 4:56 pm

Timing is everything. Jhené Aiko's CHILOMBO is a testament to that. For the 32-year-old R&B singer/songwriter whose career has only grown stronger since she began songwriting for former R&B group B2K in the 2000s, a lot of things have come together for her on her latest album. For one, her third album, the follow-up to 2017's Trip, is the one in which she has come to accept all of herself, even the parts of her that at one point she wasn't so keen on. 

"I'm 32 now. I've lived, I've learned. And I think that's all just reflected in the music," Aiko says in the latest Up Close & Personal.

Up Close & Personal With Jhené Aiko

In CHILOMBO, recently released with more tracks as CHILOMBO (Deluxe), Aiko also incorporates sound healing for the first time since she began exploring it at the age of 19. Every track is infused with crystal alchemy singing bowls, which have been found to mentally and physically help heal.

"At some point, I realized that a part of my purpose is to help people get through things," she shares. "Now that I'm studying sound healing and know the importance of sound, I just feel like it's my responsibility as a musician to really take care of the sounds that I put into the music."

While promoting healing, Aiko also delivers some of her most sensual songs to date, including "On The Way" featuring her first-ever collaboration with her sister Mila J.

"There were a few times where it almost happened but then timing or something wouldn't line up, and I don't know, I think [this time] it was just perfect timing," she says about the collab. "Even though it took a long time, it took the time it was supposed to take for us to come together because we probably couldn't have made that type of song when I was younger."

Watch the video above to learn more about the meaning behind CHILOMBO. 

EXCLUSIVE: Wale Pens Personal Letter About His Powerful "Sue Me" Video: "There Are Two Different Americas

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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.