Rusko

Rusko

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

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Rusko On Bringing '90s Rave Music Back, New Tracks & Fatherhood

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The dubstep legend is "a huge geek" for the early '90s rave sound and says he's working more of it into his music. He also shares that he's more productive since becoming a father
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Sep 20, 2018 - 11:47 am

While British dubstep DJ/producer Rusko may have been too young to have been at any underground London raves during the early '90s heyday of the scene, he is a self-proclaimed geek when it comes to all the music that has come out of that era. Rusko made a mark for himself in the dance music world as a heavy-hitter in the dubstep circuit, putting out plenty of bangers at the height of the scene in the mid-2000s, including "Woo Boost" off of 2010's O.M.G.!, his debut studio album.

Rusko On Bringing '90s Rave Music Back

Chris Mercer, aka Rusko, sat down with the Recording Academy to tell us a little more about what he's been listening to (all that good '90s rave music), how it's influencing his sound, and what it's been like balancing making music and being a father.

"I'm a huge geek for early '90s rave music, like '92, '93. So there's been a lot of that kind of creeping in, more breakbeats – which is weird because that’s before most of my audience was born," Mercer shares.

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Chromeo

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

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Chromeo On New Album 'Head Over Heels' And Doing It Analog

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The funky dance music duo shares the importance of going back to their musical roots on their latest album
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Oct 2, 2018 - 12:22 pm

Electro-funk duo Chromeo have been making people dance since they released their debut studio album in 2004, featuring their breakout single "Needy Girl." Since then, they've created plenty of hits and have brought their funky beats to stages around the world. This year, they have been back at it since the June release of their fifth album Head Over Heels.

Chromeo On 'Head Over Heels' And Doing It Analog

David "Dave 1" Macklovitch and Patrick "P-Thugg" Gemayel of Chromeo sat down with the Recording Academy to talk a little more about their new album and how it was important for them to go back to their classic analog sound while bringing new artists into their studio.

"We use sequencers too, but it's analog the way we do it, you know. That’s our craft," Dave 1 shares. "The Chromeo way is to do it all analog."

Rusko On Bringing '90s Rave Music Back, New Tracks & Fatherhood

Tank and the Bangas

Tank and the Bangas

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

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Tank And The Bangas On Staying Grounded & "Smoke.Netflix.Chill"

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The funk/soul group explains the team effort behind their latest single and why it's important for them to keep the family vibes alive in the band
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Sep 24, 2018 - 12:07 pm

New Orleans-based group Tank and the Bangas have a sound influenced by their hometown, blending hip-hop, jazz, funk, soul and even a little bit rock, but it's truly all their own. In their latest single, "Smoke.Netflix.Chill," released on April 20, they brought their playful vibes led by Tarriona "Tank" Ball's upbeat rap and spoken word verses over a laid-back, floating beat.

Tank And The Bangas On "Smoke.Netflix.Chill"

Ball, along with bandmates Norman Spence, Joshua Johnson and Albert Allenback, sat down with the Recording Academy to tell us a little more about how they vibe together as a group while touring, as well as how "Smoke.Netflix.Chill" came to be.

Cuban-French Duo Ibeyi Are Leaving Their Mark On U.S. Pop Culture

The Aces

The Aces

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

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The Aces On Music As A Tool To Ease The Pain

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The all-female band talks about their growth as artists and how music can help by "dancing through the pain"
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Sep 18, 2018 - 2:03 pm

The ladies of indie-pop/rock group The Aces may be young, but they have already learned a lot. After graduating high school a few years back, they decided to focus more of their energy on music and, as a result, their identities as musicians. Since then, they have released their debut album, When My Heart Felt Volcanic, and are feeling confident with what they are putting out in the world—their several self-directed music videos included.

The Aces On Music's Ability To Ease Pain

Katie Henderson, McKenna Petty and sisters Alisa and Cristal Ramirez sat down with the Recording Academy to tell us a little more about putting out their debut album earlier this year, their latest single, and the importance of their first ever release, "Stuck." They explain how the song was pivotal for their growth as individuals and as a band.

"I love the duality of a very upbeat song, and then you listen to the lyrics and you're like, oh, that’s kinda heartbreaking. You're almost, like, dancing through the pain, and trying to get over it through music," shares Cristal Ramirez.

Exclusive: BONES On "Creature" & Music As A Platform For Empowerment

Alphabet Rockers

Alphabet Rockers

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

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Alphabet Rockers On Empowering Kids With Hip-Hop

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The GRAMMY-nominated group shares why it's so important for them to make music for kids that tackles the "tough stuff" and leaves them feeling empowered
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Sep 11, 2018 - 4:18 pm

GRAMMY-nominated group Alphabet Rockers may be focused on making children's music, but their social justice themed, kid-friendly hip-hop songs are about more than just having fun. Their goal is to educate and empower young people through "music that we'd all like to hear and things that we all need to be listening to."

Alphabet Rockers Empower Kids With Hip-Hop

Kaitlin McGaw, Tommy Shepherd, Jr. and Juan Amador of the Alphabet Rockers stopped by our tent backstage at Lollapalooza to share what it means to them to perform their music at the iconic festival, why they write songs about "tough stuff," and how it's such an important time to empower young people and celebrate diversity by "throwing shine all over this shade."

"What's different about Alphabet Rockers is we are really invested in the human experience," Shepherd explains. "And so, when we talk about children's music, we talk about music that we'd all like to hear and things that we all need to be listening to as adults."

Inside GRAMMY U's Backstage Tour Takeover At Lollapalooza 2018