Ever since he launched his career on a broad scale in 2020 — complete with founding his own record label — rapper and Amapiano house music artist Focalistic has taken pride in his status as an artist bringing South African music to the world.

In that respect, he has a lot in common with rooibos tea, which also happens to be one of the major staples of his tour rider. In this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas, Focalistic explains why the tea is so important to him, both personally and because of the symbolism it carries. 

"Just that familiar taste brings back so many memories," he reminisces. "It's something that I've never been able to get over — rooibos."

The tea is also a powerful representation of South African culture that has broken into the global mainstream — something that Focalistic himself strives to do himself. "It's South Africa's biggest export, in fact. Being able to represent the South African culture, just like the tea, is amazing for me. I draw the comparison...We're going into spaces that people never thought that we'd ever be in, and influencing the culture from a South African perspective."

For the rapper, that means bringing his signature Amapiano style to audiences who, in many cases, are completely unfamiliar with it. In his eyes, the genre is "taking over the world."

A style of house music that has been coming out of South Africa since the early 2010s, Amapiano combines house music with synth-driven jazz and lounge styles. It's become especially popular on TikTok, inspiring various dance challenges and adding momentum to the South African dance music scene.

"It's almost made me feel like an evangelist right now," Focalistic continues. "People who've never even heard of it coming to the show, and enjoying it — it's kind of like tasting rooibos for the first time."

Press play on the video above to watch Focalistic's full thoughts on rooibos tea — and to watch him prepare a cup! — and keep checking GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

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It's common to feel a few nerves when you're standing on stage in front of thousands of people. That's why when Nigerian singer 1da Banton goes on tour, he stays grounded by bringing a close group of friends and family members for support.

"I always love to have my people around me. It's like a morale booster," Banton shares in this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas. But friends aren't the only things keeping him motivated — he also emphasizes having his usual snack of choice, a sausage roll, backstage at all times.

Good friends and delicious snacks aside, Banton likes to give himself a pep talk before finally hitting the stage every night. "I [tell] myself: 'You got this. This is what you've been preparing for your entire life,'" Banton says.

Throughout his performances, he maintains his stamina from the fans' energy, which also happens to be his favorite part of being on tour. "I can feel the energy from the crowd," Banton explains. "Hearing them sing the songs gives me a lot of joy. My fans are family."

Press play on the video above to learn more about 1da Banton's tour life and passion for performing, and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

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Between her career as a stand-up comedian, actress, radio host, and podcaster, Fortune Feimster is always on the go. So when she puts together her tour rider, she makes sure to include items that will make every venue feel like her home away from home.

At the top of her list are water, a red SOLO cup, and ice. "I'm from North Carolina. I have to take it back to my roots," Feimster shares in this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas. 

Without the influence of her partner, Feimster says she would include her favorite guilty pleasure snacks, Snickers and Doritos. "[My wife is] like, 'How about an apple, some almond butter, and cashews?'" Feimster laughs.

Feimster also likes to have an iced cortado, a coffee that's equal parts espresso and milk. Although it might not be feasible, she emphasizes that she would love to bring a portable café to every stop. "In Milwaukee, they have their own coffee shop backstage with a barista," she explains. "If I could get really fancy, I'd somehow have a coffee-barista situation with me."

Press play on the video to find out the complete story behind Fortune Feimster's appetizing tour rider, and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

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Since starting her solo career in early 2022, South Korean singer Yuju has released her first mini-album, appeared on multiple soundtracks, and served as an MC on a Korean variety show. So when the multihyphenate adds a tour to her mixed bag, she prioritizes her comfort and relaxation.

In this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas, Yuju shares some of the essentials — from cozy pink slippers to gummy candies — that keep her grounded while she's on the road.

"When I take a rest, if I'm with this kind of soft light rather than a harsh light, I feel more relaxed," Yuju explains, showing off her mood lamp.

The former GFriend member also brings a rose-scented perfume, but she notes that she wasn't always a fan of the item in her childhood. "At some point, I fell in love with the rose scent," she shares. "I spray it on my bedding sometimes and use it often when I feel nervous, so it runs out quickly, and I have to buy a lot."

Despite the nerves she might feel while on tour, seeing her fans makes it worthwhile. "The best thing about performing live is that I can make eye contact with my fans," she says. "It's a good feeling of tension and excitement that I can only feel at that moment."

Press play on the video above to learn more about Yuju's life on tour, and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

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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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