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Global Spin: Focalistic Lights Up The Stage With An Electric Performance Of "SJEPA"
Focalistic

Photo: Malwandla Rikhotso

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Global Spin: Focalistic Lights Up The Stage With An Electric Performance Of "SJEPA"

South African musician Focalistic offers a (literally) illuminating performance of "SJEPA," an upbeat amapiano track from his latest album, 'Ghetto Gospel.'

GRAMMYs/Feb 21, 2023 - 05:12 pm

If you ask Pretoria musician Focalistic how to define himself, he would say "focalistic-cataclism" — a term his cousin coined that describes a "focused person who's going to change the world and how people view things."

As the budding artist continues to rise in popularity, he's doing just that, spreading awareness about the sphere of South Africa and amapiano music.

In this episode of Global Spin, Focalistic delivers a glowing performance of "SJEPA," the lead single from his latest album, Ghetto Gospel. Stationed center in a dark, empty room, only accompanied by the illumination of pink neon strobes, Focalistic's simplistic staging spotlights the singer's bouncy lyricism and sharp vocal cadence.

Ghetto Gospel is Focalistic's third studio album and collaboration project with fellow Pretoria music duo Mellow & Sleazy, helmed by additional appearances from other leading South African performers, such as Sjava and DBN Gogo.

This era of Focalistic, really, is all about uniting creatives around the continent: "The saying is 'collaboration over competition,' so you'll notice a feature in many of my songs. We're at a point right now with African music where it's about showing the true spirit of Ubuntu," he told GQ in 2022.

Press play on the video above to watch Focalistic's captivating performance of "Sjepa," and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com every Tuesday for more new episodes of Global Spin.

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Global Spin: Relive King's "Good Trip" With This Radiant Performance
King

Photo: Karthik Kher

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Global Spin: Relive King's "Good Trip" With This Radiant Performance

New Delhi-based musician King offers a prismatic performance of "Good Trip," a braggadocious track from his newest LP, 'New Life.'

GRAMMYs/Dec 7, 2023 - 06:00 pm

If you walk with burgeoning Indian star King, it's certain to be a "Good Trip."

On Oct. 18, the New Delhi native dropped his most diverse project yet, New Life, via Warner Music India, blending electronic and hip-hop beats with traditional Bollywood melodies. King traverses topics of mental health ("Runaway," featuring Julia Michaels) and ambitious dreams ("CROWN," alongside fellow Indian songstress Natania). 

Amongst the album’s most confident tracks is "Good Trip," which King performs in this episode of Global Spin. "I'm the next big thing," King declares before transitioning into Hindi.

King revealed on Instagram that the LP has been in the works since 2019 but was unexpectedly postponed by the pandemic and his breakthrough album, Champagne Talk. "After living and experiencing all this in just two years, I've got to realize everything happens for a reason and this is the actual new life I've been blessed with," he wrote. "Sometimes, being late is being right on time."

Press play on the video above to view King's vibrant performance of "Good Trip," and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Global Spin.

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Global Spin: Watch Jeremy Dutcher Deliver An Empowering Performance Of "Pomawsuwinuwok Wonakiyawolotuwok"
Jeremy Dutcher

Photo: Courtesy of Jeremy Dutcher

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Global Spin: Watch Jeremy Dutcher Deliver An Empowering Performance Of "Pomawsuwinuwok Wonakiyawolotuwok"

Two-spirit Indigenous musician Jeremy Dutcher performs a captivating performance of "Pomawsuwinuwok Wonakiyawolotuwok (People Are Rising)," a resistance song from his latest LP, 'Motewolonuwok.'

GRAMMYs/Nov 30, 2023 - 06:17 pm

As a two-spirit Indigenous person, Canadian musician Jeremy Dutcher knows judgment lurks on every corner. It's brought resilience to their life and a drive to fight against it, and they're more than ready to invite more to join the ongoing revolution.

"People are rising/ So, we stand up," Dutcher sings on the outro of "Pomawsuwinuwok Wonakiyawolotuwok (People Are Rising)," strategically using English to welcome listeners beyond his Wolastoq community.

In this episode of Global Spin, Dutcher performs a stripped-down performance of the track on the piano, allowing his fiery vocals to move the performance.

"Pomawsuwinuwok Wonakiyawolotuwok (People Are Rising)" is the "resistance song for all voices" on Dutcher's new album, Motewolonuwok. In a press statement, they explain that "Motewolonuwok," or "witch," is a phrase commonly used for two-spirit people: "They're the people of great spiritual power. The honor and the strength of that, rather than it being something to be ashamed of."

Dutcher will close out 2023 with the final two shows of his Motewolonuwok Tour, which see him returning to his home country. He'll make two stops in Ontario: St. Catharines on Dec. 7, and Toronto on Dec. 9.

Press play on the video above to watch Jeremy Dutcher advocate for change with this performance of "Pomawsuwinuwok Wonakiyawolotuwok," and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Global Spin.

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Global Spin: Teni Asks For "No Days Off" In This Energetic Live Performance
Teni

Photo: Courtesy of Teni

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Global Spin: Teni Asks For "No Days Off" In This Energetic Live Performance

Nigerian singer Teni celebrates her hard work with this upbeat performance of "No Days Off," a single from her upcoming album, 'Tears of the Sun.'

GRAMMYs/Nov 9, 2023 - 06:13 pm

Nigerian singer/songwriter Teni traveled from Atlanta to Lagos as a young adult in a leap of faith. After a few months of grinding and "No Days Off," she quickly built her dream life — though it did mean she had to question a few people in her inner circle.

"Pay me my money, pay me my dough/ Is you my friend? Or, is you my foe?/ I'm about that life, is you about that life?/ Come outside if you about that life," Teni sings before switching to pidgin. 

In this episode of Global Spin, Teni delivers a high-energy live performance of "No Days Off" from her October show in Los Angeles.

"No Days Off" is a single from her upcoming album, Tear of the Sun, which will arrive on Nov. 17. "'No Days Off' was made everywhere in the world. That's why it really is called 'No Days Off,'" Teni explained in a press statement. "It was made in Lagos. It was made in L.A. Some parts of it were also made in Cape Town."

Press play on the video above to learn more about Teni's journey to success, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Global Spin.

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Global Spin: Hataałii Pays Homage To His Navajo Heritage In This Picturesque Performance Of "Story Of Francisco"
Hataalii

Photo: Courtesy of Hataalii

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Global Spin: Hataałii Pays Homage To His Navajo Heritage In This Picturesque Performance Of "Story Of Francisco"

Strumming an electric guitar in the middle of a desert road, Indigenous alt-rock singer Hataałii uncovers the unfortunate irony of life with "Story of Francisco," a track from his latest album, 'Singing into Darkness.'

GRAMMYs/Nov 2, 2023 - 05:04 pm

Life has a way of dealing unlucky circumstances sometimes. As Indigenous alt-rock singer Hataałii tells in the "Story of Francisco," you can have a shimmering gleam in your eye, only to have the universe's "unholy jester" take it from you.

"Your age-old stone breaks apart somewhere/ By the child whose mother has lost her hair/ To our great defeat, limping up the stairs," Hataałii recounts in the song.

In this episode of Global Spin, Hataałii delivers a live performance of "Story of Francisco" from a desert road, paying homage to his roots in Window Rock, Arizona, the capital of the Navajo nation.

"Story of Francisco" is a track from Hataałii's latest album, Singing into Darkness, which the singer released on June 30 via Dangerbird Records. On Nov. 1, he premiered an expanded edition of the LP, which hosts three new tracks and five demos.

Singing into Darkness largely explores Hataałii's experience as a Navajo citizen, from the erasure of Indigenous culture throughout history to the unique dynamics between tourists and the residents of reservations.

Press play on the video above to watch Hataałii's scenic performance of "Story of Francisco," and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Global Spin.

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