meta-scriptJon Batiste's 'World Music Radio': How The GRAMMY Winner Picked Up Signals From The Four Corners Of The Earth | GRAMMY.com
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Jon Batiste

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Jon Batiste's 'World Music Radio': How The GRAMMY Winner Picked Up Signals From The Four Corners Of The Earth

After major wins at the 2022 GRAMMYs — including Album Of The Year — Jon Batiste has raised his antenna high. His latest transmission is a soul-nourishing reminder that we're one human race.

GRAMMYs/Aug 17, 2023 - 03:37 pm

"We are the chosen ones," Jon Batiste announced in the title track to 2021's We Are, which would sweep the following year's GRAMMYs. Now, it's clear who "we" are. And there are no boundaries.

"Love Black folks and white folks," he declares in the exultant "Be Who You Are," from his new album, World Music Radio. The track features the American rapper J.I.D, the ascendant K-poppers NewJeans and the Colombian singer Camilo. "My Asians, my Africans, my Afro-Eurasian, Republican or Democrat."

What should be an obvious stance — that we're one human race, and can dignify and respect each other across our differences — isn't so obvious in 2023.

"It's radical today to love everybody," Batiste told The New York Times in an interview about World Music Radio — out Aug. 18 via Verve Records. "We are in a time that there's more of a pressure to make people into the other, and to dehumanize them in the process.

"But the act of removing a certain baseline of humanity in how we approach living amongst each other, that should be radical," the five-time GRAMMY winner and 14-time nominee continued. "That should be the thing that is disruptive."

Accordingly, World Music Radio is charged with a spirit of true inclusivity; it dismantles the echo chamber. Presented in an airwave-style format like a globetrotting The Who Sell Out, World Music Radio presents a dizzying number of perspectives and styles, from East to West.

This widescreen vantage has always been central to Batiste's art. Even his "solo records" have a jubilant, communal lift.

We Are dealt heavily in the concept of "social music," which directly connects to his roots in New Orleans — whose gumbo of cultural cross-currents changed everything. Plus, his bird's-eye view of Black musical traditions made him a shoo-in to create the music for Disney/Pixar's 2020 film Soul.

The various streams of his career intermingled — and seemed to come to a head — with 2022's American Symphony, which premiered at none other than Carnegie Hall.

For this hyper-ambitious work, Batiste took inspiration the game-changing partnership of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn was a lodestar. "They consistently synthesized cultural lineages through the lens of a pluralistic and noble worldview," he wrote in the program book.

This description applies to Batiste too. During that multitudinous musical presentation, he addressed America's cultural multitudes through a commingling of African diasporic traditions — Caribbean, Brazilian, Yoruba, Haitian, Creole.

Accordingly, it featured everyone from banjoists and steel drummers to Afro-Latin percussionists and Indigenous vocalists and drummers.

World Music Radio emanates from that headspace. It begins with an introduction from our host — a cosmic entity named Billy Bob Bo Bob, transmitting the sounds of Earth to an interstellar radioland.

"He's a D.J., he's a griot, he's a storyteller, he's a unifier, he's a rebel," Batiste told the Times of Billy Bob Bo Bob. He cited the word again: "He's a disrupter."

From there, World Music Radio charges out of the gate with the exultant "Raindance," featuring the South African house duo Native Soul. From there, Batiste funnels his vision through a wildly diverse crew, from Rita Payés ("My Heart") to Kenny G (a saxophone version of "Clair de Lune") to Lil Wayne ("Uneasy").

Back to "Be Who You Are," that aural hug to everybody, no matter their background or station in life. That seemed to be Batiste's dictum to all involved: let your personality fly, and don't sweat the differences.

Because differences aren't merely acceptable. They're at the root of all compelling art, and the only way to move past throttling divisions. If you feel it's time to cast away borders and delineations, Batiste's latest offering is for you: do not adjust your dial.

Here's What Went Down At The World Premiere Of Jon Batiste's American Symphony At Carnegie Hall

Jon Batiste
Jon Batiste

Photo: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

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GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Jon Batiste’s Encouraging Speech For His 2022 Album Of The Year Win For 'We Are'

Jon Batiste accepts the Album Of The Year award for We Are, a win that he dedicated to "real artists, real musicians."

GRAMMYs/Apr 26, 2024 - 04:50 pm

Jon Batiste walked into the 2022 GRAMMYs with a whopping 11 nominations, making him the most recognized artist of the evening. By the end of the night, he received five GRAMMYs for Best American Roots Performance, Best American Roots Song, Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media, Best Music Video, and the highly coveted Album Of The Year.

In this episode of GRAMMY Rewind, watch Batiste take the stage to accept the award for Album Of The Year for his sixth studio album, We Are

Batiste began his praises by acknowledging God: "I just put my head down and work on the craft every day. I love music, he said. "I've been playing since I was a little boy. It's more than entertainment for me — it's a spiritual practice." He also thanked the "many people that went into making this album," including his grandfather, nephew, father, and executive producer, Ryan Lynn.

"This [award] is for real artists, real musicians. Let's just keep going. Be you! That's it. I love you even if I don't know you," Batiste cheered.

Press play on the video above to hear Jon Batiste's complete acceptance speech and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

Watch: Jon Batiste Delivers A Heartfelt Performance Of “Ain’t No Sunshine” & “Lean On Me” | 2024 GRAMMYs Performance

Autumn Rowe at the 2023 GRAMMYs
Autumn Rowe at the 2023 GRAMMYs.

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

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Where Do You Keep Your GRAMMY?: Autumn Rowe Revisits Her Unexpected Album Of The Year Win With Jon Batiste

Acclaimed songwriter Autumn Rowe reveals the inspirational location where her Album Of The Year golden gramophone resides, and details the "really funny way" she first met Jon Batiste.

GRAMMYs/Apr 10, 2024 - 08:33 pm

Ever since Autumn Rowe won a GRAMMY in 2022, it's been her biggest motivation. That's why the musical multi-hyphenate keeps the award nestled in her writing room — to keep her creative juices flowing.

"It reminds me that anything is possible," she says in the latest episode of Where Do You Keep Your GRAMMY?

Rowe won her first-ever career GRAMMY in 2022 with an Album Of The Year award for Jon Batiste's We Are. "It was very stressful," she recalls with a laugh.

"Right before they announced Album Of The Year, the pressure started getting to me," Rowe explains. "Album Of The Year is the biggest possible award you can win. So, I'm like, 'We didn't win any of these [categories], how are we going to win the biggest award?"

The win also taught her one unforgettable, valuable lesson: "We matter. The music matters. Everything matters. We just have to create it. If there isn't space for it, we have to make space for it. Don't wait for something to open."

Rowe says she grew up "super dirt poor" and never even had the opportunity to watch the awards ceremony on television. "To be a GRAMMY winner means it is possible for everyone," she declares.

Press play on the video above to learn more about the backstory of Autumn Rowe's Album Of The Year award, and remember to check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Where Do You Keep Your GRAMMY?

Where Do You Keep Your GRAMMY?: Christopher "Tricky" Stewart Recalls Winning Song Of The Year For Beyoncé's "Single Ladies"

Jon Batiste - 2024 Oscars
Jon Batiste performs 'It Never Went Away' from 'American Symphony' onstage during the 2024 Oscars

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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2024 Oscars: Watch Jon Batiste Perform A Poignant Rendition Of "It Never Went Away" From The Documentary Film 'American Symphony'

At the 2024 Academy Awards, five-time GRAMMY winner Jon Batiste performed a soul-nourishing version of "It Never Went Away" from ‘American Symphony,’ the acclaimed documentary film about his and wife Suleika Jaouad’s personal and creative lives.

GRAMMYs/Mar 11, 2024 - 01:18 am

At the 2024 Oscars on March 10, five-time GRAMMY winner and 20-time nominee Jon Batiste took the stage for a scintillating version of his co-write with Dan Wilson, "It Never Went Away."

For said performance, the multimedia phenom kept the proceedings spare and probing, letting his iridescent piano and singular pipes do the heavy lifting. Watch it above.

"It never went away/Every time I see your face," Batiste sang, in a commensurately understated, off-white stage outfit and backdrop. "The feeling's just the same/ It's never goin' away."

"It Never Went Away" was featured in the acclaimed 2023 documentary American Symphony, about his and his wife author Suleika Jaouad's personal and creative development — under the spectre of cancer and an impending debut at Carnegie Hall, of the symphony of the same name.

2024 Oscars: Watch Performances & Highlights

"It was very complicated from a producing point of view to navigate the puzzle of Jon's insane life, and then trying to find our way into the hospital, and then back out again, and back in again," American Symphony director Matthew Heineman said last year at a live interview covered by GRAMMY.com.

In the same conversation Heineman aptly described the overall process as reflecting "the symphony of life that we witnessed over the past year."

Keep checking this space for more updates on the 2024 Oscars — including GRAMMY winners and nominees who are featured during the big night!

Inside American Symphony: 5 Revelations About The Jon Batiste Documentary

Billie Eilish attends the 2024 Oscars red carpet
Billie Eilish attends the 2024 Oscars on March 10, 2024 in Hollywood, California.

Photo: JC Olivera/Getty Images

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2024 Oscars Red Carpet: Music Icons & Artists Shine Including Billie Eilish, Mark Ronson, Danielle Brooks & More

Visit the intersection of music and movies with a spotlight on the musical talents dazzling the red carpet at the Oscars. Billie Eilish, Danielle Brooks, and more show the creativity and style these multi-talented stars bring to Hollywood's biggest night.

GRAMMYs/Mar 10, 2024 - 08:49 pm

Tonight, the red carpet becomes a runway that blends the art of fashion with the magic of cinema and sound. 

The intersection of music and film has never been more luminous than at this year's Oscars, where numerous GRAMMY-winning artists including Billie Eilish, Jon Batiste, and Bradley Cooper are not just attending but are nominated for their contributions to the silver screen. 

From enchanting melodies that tugged at our heartstrings to groundbreaking scores that redefined movie moments, these artists have already left an indelible mark on the music industry. Tonight, they grace the Oscars red carpet, showcasing not only their unparalleled talent but also their unique fashion sensibilities. 

Take a closer look at these multifaceted talents and their journey from the GRAMMYs to the 2024 Oscars.

2024 Oscars: Watch Performances & Highlights

Billie Eilish

Nominated for: Best Original Song, "What Was I Made For?" from Barbie

Billie Eilish, the alt-pop sensation with nine GRAMMY wins, brings her unique style to the Oscars wearing a tweed schoolgirl look from Chanel. At this year's Academy Awards, Eilish is nominated for the hauntingly beautiful "What Was I Made For?" [From The Motion Picture *Barbie*], the same track that won two GRAMMYs, for Song Of The Year and Best Song Written For Visual Media, at the 2024 GRAMMYs.

Billie Eilish

*Photo: JC Olivera/Getty Images*

Finneas O'Connell

Nominated for: Best Original Song, "What Was I Made For?" with Billie Eilish

Finneas O'Connell, the mind behind many of sister Billie Eilish’s hits and a 10-time GRAMMY winner in his own right, appears tonight in an ensemble that's as sleek as his production style. Nominated for the poignant "What Was I Made For?," he exudes confidence and creativity, showcasing the depth of his artistic vision.

FINNEAS on the 2024 Oscars red carpet

*Photo: JC Olivera/Getty Images*

Jon Batiste

Nominated for: Best Original Song, "It Never Went Away" from American Symphony

Jon Batiste, a vision of grace on the red carpet in a monochromatic burgundy suit, brings the same passion to his music that won him five GRAMMYs and 19 nominations, including his Album Of The Year win for 2021's We Are

Tonight, he's recognized for his soul-stirring "It Never Went Away", a testament to his versatility and depth as an artist. He won his first Oscar in 2021 for Best Original Score with Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor for their work together on Pixar's Soul.

Jon Batiste

*Photo:* Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Mark Ronson

**Nominated for: Best Original Song, "I'm Just Ken" [From The Motion Picture Barbie]

Mark Ronson, the GRAMMY-winning producer known for hits like "Uptown Funk" and his work on Amy Winehouse's seminal Back to Black, brings well-suited sophistication to the red carpet. As an eight time GRAMMY winner, Ronson won his first Oscar award for Best Original Song in 2021 for "Shallow" for A Star is Born starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

Mark Ronson on the 2024 Oscars red carpet

***Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images***

Ludwig Göransson

Nominated for: Best Original Score, Oppenheimer

Ludwig Göransson, took home the Oscar for Best Original Score with a win for Oppenheimer. Known for his innovative soundscapes, Göransson's attire tonight — a satin-lapel tuxedo with wide pants and Cartier jewels — is a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary, much like his music.

Ludwig Gorranson

*Photo: John Shearer/WireImage/Getty Images*

Bradley Cooper

Nominated for: Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Maestro


Bradley Cooper, presents a masterclass in red carpet fashion in a double-breasted tie-less tux with turquoise buttons and boot cut suit pants. A two-time GRAMMY winner for A Star Is Born in 2019, Cooper's transformation into Leonard Bernstein in Maestro is both a critical and stylistic triumph. Tonight, his attire is as meticulously curated as his performance, with a nod to the classical elegance befitting one of the most legendary conductors of all-time.

Bradley Cooper

***Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images***

Danielle Brooks

Nominated for: Best Supporting Actress, The Color Purple

Danielle Brooks dazzles in a black corseted gown with silver embellishments, a diamond necklace, and silver toned jewelry that speaks to her vibrant and powerful portrayal of Sofia in The Color Purple. A GRAMMY winner in 2017 for Best Musical Theater Album for her work in the Broadway revival, Brooks now shines on Oscars Sunday in an ensemble that is a tribute to Sofia's strength, resilience, and grace.

Danielle Brooks

*Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images*

Diane Warren

Nominated for: Best Original Song, "The Fire Inside" from Flamin' Hot

Diane Warren, whose pen has graced many an iconic ballad, steps onto the red carpet in a "Flamin' Hot" look that echoes her lyrical genius. Nominated once again for her songwriting prowess, Warren's attire tonight is a nod to the fiery Becky G track she's nominated for tonight. 

Warren has received 15 GRAMMY nominations through her career and a win for "Because You Loved Me" (Celine Dion, from Up, Close and Personal) which took home Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television in 1997. 

Diane Warren

*Photo:* Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande stepped onto the red carpet just days after the release of her album Eternal Sunshine in a custom Glinda-pink Giambattista Valli gown. Grande presented awards for Best Original Song and Best Original Score with Wicked co-star, Cynthia Erivo at the 2024 Oscars.

Ariana Grande

*Photo: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo graced the red carpet in an emerald green Louis Vuitton look with voluminous leather ruffles. Erivo presented awards for Best Original Song and Best Original Score with Wicked co-star, Ariana Grande at the 2024 Oscars. 

Cynthia Erivo

*Photo: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images*

Hailey Steinfeld

Nominated: Best Animated Feature, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Hailey Steinfeld showed up to the 2024 Oscars ready to put on a show. The actress and singer wore a couture Elie Saab gown from the Spring/Summer 2024 collection in light blue with butterfly cape sleeves and a pleated skirt, accentuated by metallic appliqués adorning the bodice and wrists of the sleeves.

Hailey Steinfeld

*Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/GettyImages *

Tia Carrere

Tia Carrere attends the 2024 Oscars red carpet. Carrere is a two-time GRAMMY winner for Best Hawaiian Music Album.

Tia Carrere

***Photo: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images***

Slash

Slash, the lead guitarist for Guns N' Roses assisted Ryan Gosling and Mark Ronson with a performance of 'I'm Just Ken' at the 2024 Oscars. 

Slash