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KEM

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Quarantine Diaries: KEM Is Making An Album, Making Breakfast & Being A Dad

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As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
May 14, 2020 - 8:45 am
As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, R&B singer/songwriter Kem shares his Quarantine Diary. His single "Lie To Me" is out now. 
 
[6 a.m.] Get On Up: I get up with my 3-year-old son Kristoffer and we watch Harry Potter or "Blippi" on YouTube. It depends on what kind of mood he’s in. Today, it was a Harry Potter kind of a day. Then we did what most dads do with 3-year olds except more than most, our playtime may involve a little more singing. We play with his toy mic and I try to teach him the proper way to hold a mic. That went exactly the way one would expect things to go. We’ll try again later. It’s not uncommon for us to tussle and roll around on the floor and play with whatever toys grab his attention every few minutes and then it’s time to clean up our mess, get dressed and go see what the rest of the family is up to by now. It’s just before 8 a.m. which means, it’s time to eat.
 
[8 a.m.] Make Breakfast: I love to cook and breakfast is one of my specialties so I make my way into the kitchen to see what’s for breakfast. Sometimes breakfast is light: oatmeal, a banana and a glass of juice. Sometimes it’s all the things you’d expect from a good southern breakfast: sausage or bacon, scrambled eggs, grits and toast or a biscuit. Today is one of the lighter days. I have a lot to do so oatmeal or cereal and toast it is.
 
[9 a.m.] Family Walk Through The Neighborhood: After breakfast, it’s time to take our family walk through the neighborhood. I enjoy this time because it gives us a chance to be together and get some exercise at the same time. 
I love taking in all of the sounds of nature and seeing all of the beautiful Georgia pines. We live in a lake community and there’s something really peaceful about living on the water. Anytime is usually the perfect time to look out on the water and see the reflection of the sun off the water. It reminds me, even in times like this, how beautiful life can be and how great God is.
 
[10 a.m.] Make Calls, Answer Emails, Run Errands: Lately, there are a lot of calls going out and coming in. I just released my first single in six years so we’re in the middle of promotion. I had a conference with my management team. We talk about how to promote a record when there is no travel. I call my business manager; We talk for a few minutes and as I’m talking, I look in my inbox and see hundreds of emails. I answer the ones that seem most urgent. The others … I’ll get to … eventually.  I forgot we needed a couple of things from the store. I make a quick run to the store and I’m back just in time to get into the lab and work on some more music.
 
[10:45 a.m.-6:30 p.m.] In The Studio: Playtime with the kids, check. Breakfast, check. Family walk and exercise, check. Important calls and emails returned, half check. Paper towels and snacks replenished, check. Now it’s time for me to get down to business. I’m working on my upcoming album and this is when I spend time working on polishing the pieces. I already have some great tunes for this album but with everything that’s going on in my life and in the world right now, there’s more to be said. I’m in my groove. I’m getting it done. When I’m writing and making music time just seems to fly by. Being confined to the house has given me the time and space to create.  
I’m grateful, but sometimes it’s more challenging than others because at home even though I’m down in the basement in my studio, I’m still daddy and husband first. From time to time duty calls, a diaper needs to be changed or a kid needs to be fed and creating has to be put on hold. Today was a good day creatively. I feel like I put some good work in and now it’s time for dinner.
 
[6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.]  Dinner Time. Enjoyed a wonderful dinner prepared by my beautiful wife Erica and caught up with the family. A lot happened while I was down in the studio and I love hearing about what everyone has been up to. I also get my “Honey Do” list for tomorrow from Mrs. Owens. Cool.
 
[7:30 p.m -8 p.m.] Bedtime for The Kids. It’s time to get the kids in bed. They’ve already left the table; baths have been had and everybody is clean and sort of happy. Not everyone is happy it’s time to go to sleep, but my wife and I work together to put the kids to sleep. I wish I could go to sleep too but I’ve still got work to do.
 
[8 p.m. -10 p.m.] Back To The Studio (overdubs/editing.) All is quiet on the home front and it’s time for me to get back in the lab. I’ve got some overdubs and editing I want to get done tonight while I’m still in the groove. I put a couple more hours in and now it’s time to call it a night.

If you wish to support our efforts to assist music professionals in need, learn more about the Recording Academy's and MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.

If you are a member of the music industry in need of assistance, visit the MusiCares website.

GRAMMYs

Peppermint 

Photo: Magnus Hastings

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Quarantine Diaries: Peppermint Is Releasing "Best Sex," Filming 'A Girl Like Me' & Staying In Touch With Fans

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As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
Oct 2, 2020 - 1:11 pm

As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, actress, singer, reality star and activist Peppermint shares her Quarantine Diary. Her latest single "Best Sex" is out now. 

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[10 a.m.] It’s Day 2 of shooting my short film A Girl Like Me and I’m feeling so many emotions. Yesterday was a whirlwind of cast and crew arriving, filming the first few scenes in Jackie Robinson Park, moving into the Airbnb we rented for the remainder of the shoot, reviewing makeup/hair/wardrobe options and spending as much time as possible with my co-star Levi Smith to build chemistry. This album is a year and a half in the making and now that we’re creating a visual component, everything feels all the more intense.

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[10:45 a.m.] Cast and crew are meeting to discuss the scenes for today and, very importantly, to review safety protocols. It means the world to me to have a small team willing to come together and work on this project, so I have made it clear that we will be serious about everyone's health and well-being while on set.

[11:18 a.m.] Now it’s time to get into makeup, wardrobe and of course drink plenty of tea. Even though there isn’t dialogue in this film (the music from my album serves as the narration) I do need to keep my voice healthy because, at the end of the week, we are also filming a live performance of the album. Details on that to be announced very soon!

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[1 p.m.] We’ve started filming some intimate bedroom scenes and it takes major concentration...so I’m going to take a break from this and catch up with you all a little later in the day.

[5:01 p.m.] A light meal and more hot tea are all I have time for. We’re rolling right into new scene setups since this video project encompasses all of the songs on the album. Also snuck in a few interviews on Zoom to go over our release plans for the first single "Best Sex."

[5:45 p.m.] Time to film Cameos, social media and promo content. I actually really enjoy doing this kind of stuff because it breaks up the day and really connects me back to my fans. It’s a reminder of why I’m making this art.

[6:00 p.m.] We have a quick break so I'm going to go up to spend more quality time with my make-believe husband.

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[6:37 p.m.] Back to hair and makeup for another costume change. I'm really nervous about the next scene. It's one of my favorite and most anticipated moments. It's also a Carole King song so I don't want to get this wrong. I'm going to close my eyes for a few minutes while getting my makeup refreshed by Casey. She's a M.A.C. makeup artist just as I was years ago so we literally speak the same makeup language.

[8:26 p.m.] We are filming out on the veranda for "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" This scene is one of my favorites. The song, lighting, and overall mood just make me feel so beautiful and really captures a lot of the meaning of this album. Although we have to be careful because the neighbors next to the house we are filming in don't want loud music to play after dark. Also somehow slugs are falling out of the trees and dropping down onto us.

[12:13 a.m.] That’s a wrap! The day flew by but having this team together to help bring this to life is such a joy and honor. Back at it tomorrow! I promise I'll eventually get to my emails!

Unearthing A Lost Ella Fitzgerald Recording, 60 Years Later

GRAMMYs

Black Pumas

Photo by Jackie Lee Young

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Quarantine Diaries: Black Pumas' Eric Burton Is Working On A New Album & Spending Time In The Garden

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As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
Sep 29, 2020 - 10:50 am

As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, Eric Burton from the GRAMMY-nominated duo Black Pumas shares his Quarantine Diary.

[10:05 AM] Good morning! It’s 10:05 AM in my world and trying to ride a vibe. My mornings usually start off with a cup of coffee, and one of my favorite tunes or a new tune that I had yet to have heard.

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[11:20 AM] I love visiting the garden! The squash at my friend’s place is beginning to produce. It’s nice to reflect on the process of growth and it’s very grounding to see it and touch it physically on a daily basis.

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[12:15 PM] One of my favorite things to do is check in with friends overseas. I feel so connected to be able to hear how things are going from their perspective as it pertains to our world and our lives. 

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[1:25 PM] Now I’m sitting down at a piano trying to keep that inspiration going to some degree. I make sure that there’s a lot of equipment or instruments around especially analog. The Black Pumas are working on our new album right now. We’ve got a few handfuls of ideas for material that my bandmate Adrian and I have been trading back and forth.

I think we spend most days really stoked about the opportunity we have to create time and space for ourselves to continue to do what we know and love. I usually am very motivated and competitive with myself to do something better than I did the last time. I tend to stay committed and focused playing music, just jamming out and seeing what I can come up with.

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[3:33 PM] I've moved from the piano to an analog keyboard now. I usually like to listen to music that is very much natural and acoustic and/or listen to music that has a lot of different weird kooky sounds that are more on the digital side, just for the idea. 

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[4:22 PM] The weather in Texas can be ever changing and in a short period of time. In that, it’s nice to observe it and reciprocate some art from it. I’m an autumn baby anyway, so maybe that plays a hand in how I feel at home in the rain today.

GRAMMYs

Quarantine Diaries: Lisa Loeb Is Celebrating 25 Years Of "Stay (I Missed You)" & Watching "RuPaul's Drag Race"

GRAMMYs

J. BROWN

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Quarantine Diaries: J. BROWN Is Meditating, Working On His Next Album & River Rafting

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As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
Sep 21, 2020 - 3:55 pm

As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, R&B singer J. BROWN shares his Quarantine Diary. His debut EP FOREVER YOURS is out now. 

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[8:15 a.m.] I’ve gotten in the habit of calming any anxiety or worries I may have  by placing myself in "a meditative solitude". Before the sun reaches its scorching peak at high noon, I sit in a peaceful pose and turn within. This is how I protect my mental health in a time of continuous civil uproar, political turbulence and economic depression. With every meditative breath, I right my wrongs and gain serenity in knowing that all will turn out just fine.  

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[8:45 a.m.] By this time, I am ready to hit the kitchen to prepare my favorite meal of the day: breakfast. I’m not trying to be braggadocious, but I’m a self-taught chef in the making. On this particular day I whipped up a solid, full course breakfast. I washed it down with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. Just in case you’re wondering, this meal didn’t last more than five minutes on the plate. 

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[10:30 a.m.] After I’m centered and revived, I make sure to carve some time out to teach my “mini me” some new skills. I’m a hands-on type of dad and this kid right here is my little buddy; wherever I go, he goes.  It’s only been three months of swimming lessons and he can do a mean flutter kick and cannonballs fearlessly on the deep end.

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[11:50 a.m.] Before the pandemic hit, I was on the road a lot. With the world closed and no place to travel to, I caught up on a lot of house projects that I almost let fall to the wayside. On this particular day, I used my hefty fourteen foot ladder to climb on top of the shed and fixed some things up, J.Brown style, of course. 

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[1:15 pm] Self-proclaimed,“King of river rafting”. I enjoy the sport of river rafting, one of the many perks of living the Californian lifestyle. This lake is only a couple of miles from my home. I’m comfortable in the wilderness. Nature is my home.

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[3:25 p.m.] An artist’s creativity never ceases. No matter what’s going on in the world, I make time to hit my home studio. Music is my passion and the driving force within my life. I've been super creative lately; creating new sounds and content for my fans.  

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 [4:38 p.m.] Contemplating my next move. Should I remain in deep reflection or hit the gym? The clock is ticking and time waits for no man. A successful man can not operate in confusion and indecisiveness. It’s time to make a move. 

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[5:55 p.m.] This is certainly a real life princess in training. My daughter always brings joy to my life. For months she begged me for a pony and I finally succumbed to her daily requests. The princess always gets her way. No matter how I try, I just can’t say no. I love to see her happy. Her smile is incredibly  contagious. She brightens up my day. 

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[6:36 p.m.] Back in the studio again! I couldn’t resist. When the lyrics flow in my head, I have to lay them on a track. Music is life. I live it. I breathe it. It’s inescapable.

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[7:17 p.m.] I took a quick pit stop at the barbershop. Just thankful that my barber was able to fit me in. To maintain adequate social distancing, he only allows one client in his shop at a time. I’m excited to leave this five o’clock shadow behind and sharpen my lines. 

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[8:39 p.m.] This has been one hectic day. But, it's not over just yet. I had to pour a little coffee in my cup in preparation for two back to back virtual interviews. No complaints here. Keeping busy is a blessing.

Quarantine Diaries: Tenille Townes Is Co-Writing Over Zoom & Watching "The West Wing"

GRAMMYs

Sean Garrett

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Quarantine Diaries: Sean Garrett Is In The Studio, Talking Story Behind Usher's Hit "Yeah!" & Hitting The Gym

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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors
GRAMMYs
Jan 4, 2021 - 4:48 pm

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, GRAMMY.com reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, Sean Garrett shares his Quarantine Diary. 

GRAMMYs

[8:30 a.m.] I’m being awakened right about this time with a little tap on the shoulder from my 5-year-old (Cruzzy-Bear). I’m still extremely sleepy because I’m on 3.5 hours of sleep after last night's recording session. As I put the big guy (Cruzzy) in his tub for a bath, I’m being ordered by special request that he needs his iPad set up on the counter to watch while he plays in the tub. After I wash him up and get him dressed, we go downstairs for some breakfast and then off to school.

[10:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.] After dropping off my son, it’s straight to the gym. Dreading this workout with my trainer—he has a full two-hour workout set up consisting of weight training, cardio and low impact strengthening.

[2 p.m. - 7 p.m.] After a shower and a quick change, I’m headed to a top-secret meeting/session with a few of the biggest hitmakers in the music business; It's a very tedious process because of the level of success from this artist's last project. We go back and forth comparing notes on the angle and approach we will take on production and song to ensure this project is not only successful but exactly what the “artist”'s fans love.

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[8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.] I’m off to change and then head to a late live interview to discuss the current state of music, the art of hit-making and the story behind the No. 14 song on Billboard’s Hot 100 Greatest Hits Of All Time Chart: Usher’s “Yeah!”

[10 p.m. -11 p.m.] Head to a late dinner. With most of the city semi locked down due to COVID, it’s a blessing to have a few spots in Atlanta open to enjoy some good food.

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[12 a.m. - 4:00 a.m.] Back to the studio with my client. I love writing and producing songs. I’ve been blessed to create, and I take my craft seriously. Labels and artists depend on me to tell a story and make a hit. These “closed sessions” always end up in your ear. I mean, I don’t say “smash on the radio” for nothing!

'Ptah, The El Daoud' At 50: How Alice Coltrane Straddled Heaven And Earth