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Press Play At Home: Watch Yola Perform A Rock-Solid Rendition Of "Stand For Myself"

Yola

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Press Play At Home: Watch Yola Perform A Rock-Solid Rendition Of "Stand For Myself"

In the latest episode of Press Play At Home, four-time GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Yola declares her independence with a simple, strong performance of "Stand For Myself"

GRAMMYs/Jun 17, 2021 - 11:47 pm

After years of "vibes," it's official: Songs are back. No matter how much production wizardry you throw on a track, the world seems to be remembering that songs are only as good as their foundation. 

In her song "Stand For Myself," the gifted, four-time GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Yola seems to doubly allude to this axiom and her own self-containment.

Over a handful of first-position chords, Yola lets loose her mighty voice. "I understand why you close your eyes/Why you deaf your ears/I realize now, you wanna feel nothing," she booms. "Just like I was, a coward in the shadows/No view from above."


In the latest episode of Press Play At Home, Yola shows she's the opposite of cowardly. With the simple and strong flavors of an acoustic guitar, a stripped-down ensemble, and her inimitable voice, she proves she can stand tall on her own accord.

Check out Yola's self-assured performance of "Stand For Myself" above and click here to enjoy more episodes of Press Play At Home.

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Press Play: Ava Maybee Offers Support To Those Struggling With Anxiety In This Vulnerable Performance Of "Puke"
Ava Maybee

Photo: Courtesy of Ava Maybee

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Press Play: Ava Maybee Offers Support To Those Struggling With Anxiety In This Vulnerable Performance Of "Puke"

Emerging pop-rock singer Ava Maybee narrates her mental health battles in her latest single, "Puke," which she hopes helps listeners feel less alone in their own struggles.

GRAMMYs/Mar 16, 2023 - 05:48 pm

During Ava Maybee's run on American Idol in 2020, judge Katy Perry told the singer she has "a cool Blondie-esque voice." This year, Maybee takes her Debbie Harry-inspired vocals to the next level with the release of her pop-rock single, "Puke."

In this episode of Press Play, Maybee chronicles her experience living with anxiety in this premiere live performance of "Puke." "It's getting dark in here/ And no one's here to flip the switch/ Am I just too f*cked up to fix?/ God, it makes me sick," Maybee sings in the track's chorus.

Maybee's songwriting is largely focused on her struggles with mental health; she believes that starting the conversation surrounding mental health normalizes self-expression and admitting that it's okay not to be okay. When she released "Puke," she shared on social media, "I hope this song makes you feel less alone. That’s the whole point of why we do this s— right?"

Outside of her musical career, Maybee is a philanthropist, serving as the Youth Ambassador at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and co-founding the UNICEF Young Ambassadors group. This June, Maybee will graduate from New York University's Clive Davis School of Music with a minor in child psychology.

Press play on the video to watch Ava Maybee's cathartic performance of "Puke," and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.

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Press Play: Shuba Prepares For An "Indian Summer" With A Scorching Performance Of Her Breakthrough Single
Shuba

Photo: Courtesy of Shuba

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Press Play: Shuba Prepares For An "Indian Summer" With A Scorching Performance Of Her Breakthrough Single

In this empowering performance, Indian-American singer Shuba takes control of her sexual autonomy and fights against cultural expectations of modesty.

GRAMMYs/Mar 9, 2023 - 06:00 pm

As a first-generation Indian-American artist, Shuba strives to uplift minority voices through her progressive music and break down toxic socio-cultural norms. In her breakthrough single, "Indian Summer," Shuba takes full authority over her autonomy and works to normalize unapologetic sexuality.

In this episode of Press Play, Shuba offers a provocative, stripped-down performance of the empowering single, also known as the "Brown Baddie Anthem" online. "Pass out when he kiss me/ Lose track of time when it's in me/ Woah, I'm supposed to be a lady/ They say I'm going crazy," raps Shuba on the track's second verse, acknowledging the chatter surrounding her sexual liberation.

Known for her combination of Bollywood sounds and pop-rap vocals, Shuba sings along to an Indian tabla drum. Her signature Indian-American fusion is also represented in her outfit, as she combines a paisley-print skirt and gold dangle earrings with a white lace-up top.

Shuba first rose to fame in 2021, posting snippets of her music on social media under the alias TikTok Brown Chick. As of 2023, Shuba has accumulated over 6 million followers across all platforms. Earlier this year, she released two more singles, "Come Here" and "Bad Date."

Press play on the video above to watch Shuba's alluring performance of "Indian Summer," and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.

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Press Play: DAMOYEE Combats The Pain Of Unrequited Love In A Stripped-Down Performance Of "To The Next One"
DAMOYEE

Photo: Courtesy of DAMOYEE

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Press Play: DAMOYEE Combats The Pain Of Unrequited Love In A Stripped-Down Performance Of "To The Next One"

Emerging pop singer DAMOYEE narrates her college heartbreak in this vulnerable performance of her latest single, "to the next one."

GRAMMYs/Mar 2, 2023 - 07:26 pm

Budding pop singer DAMOYEE chronicles the heart-wrenching surrender to unrequited love in her latest single, "to the next one," but she knows her future won't always look bleak.

"Maybe if I move on to the next one/ Just by a little/ A little less heartbreak by the next one," she sings in the track's outro, coming to terms with the realization that the visceral heartbreak will fade once she finds true love.

In this episode of Press Play, DAMOYEE performs "to the next one" live from her home studio. She is a known multi-instrumentalist and constructs the entire production of the song herself on a piano, electric guitar, and bass guitar. Still, she allows her warm vocals to take the spotlight as she bares her soul in the track's vivid, vulnerable lyrics.

"to the next one" is the third single from her forthcoming studio album, a collection of songs about DAMOYEE's college experiences. Outside of her musical career, she is a lively TikTok content creator and an advocate for social justice and bullying prevention.

Press play on the video above to watch DAMOYEE's candid performance of "to the next one," and keep checking GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.

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Press Play: Madison McFerrin Debuts "(Please Don't) Leave Me Now" With This Intimate Performance
Madison McFerrin

Photo courtesy of the Recording Academy

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Press Play: Madison McFerrin Debuts "(Please Don't) Leave Me Now" With This Intimate Performance

Madison McFerrin premieres her newest single, "(Please Don't) Leave Me Now," a jazz-tinged ode to resilience in the face of trauma, in this edition of Press Play.

GRAMMYs/Feb 23, 2023 - 06:01 pm

Madison McFerrin can tell a story with her voice alone.

The rising soul singer first caught everyone's attention in early 2018 with her acapella arrangements. McFerrin would post covers recorded in one take online, constructing the entire song with only a microphone and her voice, allowing her emotions to drive the performances.

She's precisely crafted her vocal agility, a skill her father, GRAMMY-winning singer Bobby McFerrin, also possesses.

In this episode of Press Play, McFerrin debuts her newest single, "(Please Don't) Leave Me Now," a jazz-tinged ode to resilience in the face of trauma.

Though accompanied by a live band, McFerrin's soft, buttery vocals command the room. Her voice grows more powerful and demanding as she cheekily requests her lover to stay around for a little longer. She finishes the performance with a set of acrobatic runs, chanting out the song's title.

"(Please Don't) Leave Me Now" acts as the successor to McFerrin's 2022 single, ironically titled "Stay Away (From Me)." McFerrin will also appear at the upcoming San Jose Jazz Winter Fest and open for the South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo this coming March.

Watch the video above to view Madison McFerrin's seamless performance of "(Please Don't) Leave Me Now," and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.

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