Afrobeats may be a less-known genre stateside, but anyone interested in the qualities of human conversation should dig into the sound immediately. 

From Fela Kuti to Orlando Julius to Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo, the genre contains the rhythms of a ripping conversation—one you don’t want to end.

And from Antibalas to Burna Boy, the younger generation of Afrobeats artists is taking up the mantle, too.

For a fresh example of this, meet Laycon, a Nigerian Afrobeats/Afrorap artist who makes performing this music seem as natural as breathing.

In the latest episode of Press Play At Home, let the young Afrobeats ambassador spin a captivating musical yarn with help from his accompanists.

Watch Laycon’s inviting performance of "All Over Me" above and click here to enjoy more episodes of Press Play At Home.

Press Play At Home: Watch Omah Lay Elevate A Room While Performing "Can't Relate"

 

Ayra Starr has a message for the haters: "Dem no fit kill my vibe." It's the empowering statement at the center of her 2021 single "Bloody Samaritan."

The song was released as the lead single off the West African songstress' debut album, 2021's 19 & Dangerous, and even earned a guest feature from Kelly Rowland on its official remix. 

In this episode of Global Spin, Starr hits the stage in Los Angeles to perform the confidently defiant Afropop track. She's backed by a full band with a hype man, who got the enthralled crowd amped for the performance by shouting, "Alright L.A., let's turn this place into an Ayra Starr party, alright?"

"Vibe killer, bloody Samaritan/ Protect my energy from your bad aura/ Na my pastor say I be my healer/ Everythin' I desire, I go receive," the Benin native sings in a sparkling pink minidress and diamond choker as a wind machine gives her long locks the Beyoncé effect.

Adding to her rising profile as one of West Africa's most promising young talents, Starr most recently collaborated with Tori Kelly on the two-time GRAMMY winner's new self-titled EP, adding her distinct Afropop flair to album cut "unbelievable." 

Press play on the video above to watch Ayra Starr's performance of "Bloody Samaritan," and check GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Global Spin.

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CoolestAndie makes pop music for sad kids. At least that's how she explains her style of tender Latin pop in her Instagram profile — which, naturally, is written in her native Spanish ("hago música pop para chavxs tristes"). That's certainly the case with the Puebla, Mexico native's new song "Mi Lugar Seguro," which she's playing for the very first time exclusively for Press Play.

The track, whose title translates as "My Safe Place" in English, is a follow-up to CoolestAndie's latest run of singles like "Qué Es Amor? My Love," "Flores Que Sembré" with Flor Ramírez and Yukun, "Adolescentes Asustados," and her 2021 debut EP, Te Quiero Pero No Te Lo Diré.

"I hope to help others with my music," the singer told GRAMMY.com ahead of the performance. "I just want everyone who hears my music to connect with me and my feelings."

It's been a busy year for CoolestAndie, who most recently served as the hometown opener for Drake Bell's Puebla stop on his ongoing Non-Stop Flight Tour. This fall, she'll be returning to Mexico's capital city to perform at the 2023 edition of Festival Amigo.

Press play on the video above to watch CoolestAndie's acoustic performance of "Mi Lugar Seguor," and check GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.

La Doña's 'Can't Eat Clout' Celebrates Her Upbringing And "A Moment Of Reckoning"

For most aspiring musicians, attending one of the top music universities in their country and then debuting as an artist is a dream come true. Korean newcomer Seohyun Lee has made that coveted journey her reality — and it’s also the message of her new upbeat, dreamy single, "SPACESHIP."

In this episode of Press Play, Lee premieres her pre-debut single live from her alma mater, the prestigious Seoul Institute of the Arts (which boasts an impressive roster of other alumni, including EXO’s Luhan and actor Hwang Jung-min). In an exclusive statement to GRAMMY.com, Lee revealed how the school "taught me how to freely pursue music as an artist and a student." The small lecture room that served as the filming location for her episode was "a place where I completed new music, aligning our hearts as friends."

When discussing "SPACESHIP," Lee said the concept was inspired by a dream she had: "I became the main character, a person who loved everyone and was loved by everyone. Now, I can dream without falling asleep because I am a person who loves everyone and is loved by everyone."

Later this year, Lee will make her official debut in collaboration with the Seoul Institute of the Arts and JChung Management to showcase Korean musicality beyond K-pop.

Watch the video above to hear Seohyun Lee’s confident performance of "SPACESHIP," and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.

Press Play: Gus Dapperton & Amadelle Talk Through A Toxic Relationship In An Acoustic Performance Of "Don't Let Me Down"

On "Don't Let Me Down," Gus Dapperton and Amadelle present two sides of a breakup: one person not quite ready to give up, and the other hoping to move forward with their life.

"If you took a walk in my shoes/ You'd know why I don't want to be with you," Amadelle sings. "And now you're askin' if I'll take you back/ But, boy, I'm sorry, I can do that."

Dapperton makes a last-ditch effort to right his wrongs, responding, "I let myself ride the wave/ I've fallen to my childish ways/ And put our lives on display/ For everyone to display/ I can't believe I drove our time away."

In this episode of Press Play, watch Dapperton and Amadelle, his sister, trade off for a live, stripped-down performance of "Don't Let Me Down," with Dapperton providing support on an acoustic guitar.

"Don't Let Me Down" is the lead single from Dapperton's latest album, Henge. The track was written by BENEE and marks the pair's second collaboration — the first being BENEE's viral 2020 single, "Supalonely."

Dapperton will begin the North American Henge Tour in Burlington, Vermont, on Sept. 14.

Watch the video above to hear Gus Dapperton and Amadelle's heartfelt performance of "Don't Let Me Down," and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.

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