meta-scriptHerbal Tea & White Sofas: Juls' Must-Have Tour Item Is An African Instrument That Doubles As A Stress Reliever | GRAMMY.com
Herbal Tea & White Sofas: Juls' Must-Have Tour Item Is An African Instrument That Doubles As A Stress Reliever
Juls

Photo: Mahaneela Choudhury-Reid

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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: Juls' Must-Have Tour Item Is An African Instrument That Doubles As A Stress Reliever

The producer and DJ introduces fans to his kosh kash — a pocket-sized, egg-shaped instrument that is so versatile, he carries it with him everywhere when he's on the road.

GRAMMYs/Dec 6, 2022 - 02:38 pm

Juls — also known as Juls Baby, and born Julian Nicco-Annan — is perhaps known best for his work as a producer, helping create hits for acts like Burna Boy, Mr. Eazi and GoldLink. But the Ghanian-British producer and DJ is also a touring act who plays sets around the world — and he makes sure he has his trusty kosh kash with him.

In this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas, Juls introduces viewers to the egg-shaped African percussion instrument, which is also known as a Kashaka. The pocket-sized instrument is made up of two small gourds bound together by a string, and makes a rhythmic, rattling noise when shaken. It serves a lot of purposes, Juls explains.

"It's kind of like a shaker. It's kind of like a stress reliever when I'm preparing tours. It also helps me to make music," he says. "So any time I have an idea, I just record it on my phone in Voice Memos. I carry this everywhere I go when I travel."

Another mainstay of Juls' tour rider is "one of the best drinks in the world: Supermalt," the artist continues. "It's like a malt drink, made of wheat, with other things like added sugar and starch."

The non-alcoholic and caffeine-free malt beverage first originated in the early 1970s and served as a cheap energy source for the Nigerian Army. To this day, it's still an Afro-Caribbean staple — and now, a road necessity for Juls. "Definitely need to have that on the rider," he adds.

Press play on the video above to learn more about Juls' road essentials — plus how he prepares for his shows every night — and keep checking back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas. 

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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: That Mexican OT Brings Mexico To Every Live Show With This Beverage
That Mexican OT

Photo: Andrea Asibor

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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: That Mexican OT Brings Mexico To Every Live Show With This Beverage

Some might prefer water and tea while on tour, but Texas-based rapper That Mexican OT gets all of his energy from a cold bottle of Mexican coke.

GRAMMYs/Sep 11, 2023 - 05:06 pm

If there is one thing That Mexican OT will do while on tour, it's stay hydrated. But not necessarily with water — he prefers an ice-cold glass of Mexican Coca-Cola.

"This bad mama jama right here is a go-to for sure," he says in the latest episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas. "A big part of me loving this is the Mexican heritage, but it also goes down perfectly."

Compared to American Coke, he says the Mexican version has a better taste because it uses natural cane sugar and no high fructose corn syrup.

When That Mexican OT wants something healthier, he opts for cranberry juice. "It's good for your kidneys," he shares. "Those antioxidants will keep you clean and running good, baby."

In his dream world, he would love to have a giant water slide in every green room. "I'm talking about a 20 to 40-footer," he quips with a smile. "Something simple. Easy to hit those dips."

You can catch That Mexican OT live on the Lonestar Luchador Tour through the United States, which ends on Oct. 4 in Oakland, California.

Press play on the video above to learn more about That Mexican OT's two favorite drinks to have while on tour, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: DABOYWAY Reveals His Favorite Sweet Treats For Tour
DABOYWAY

Photo: Thanisorn Thitikhunrat, @smoothaum

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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: DABOYWAY Reveals His Favorite Sweet Treats For Tour

As someone with a major sweet tooth, Thai-American rapper DABOYWAY can't go on tour without a few guilty pleasure items: red wine, Sour Patch Kids, and even a sugary cinnamon-scented candle.

GRAMMYs/Aug 14, 2023 - 05:14 pm

While many artists might ask for healthy foods and tea on their tour rider, Thai-American musician DABOYWAY unapologetically requests three specific confections: red wine, Sour Patch Kids, and a cinnamon-scented candle.

"The red wine has to be from Chile," he says in the latest episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas. He doesn't care which brand it is, but as long as it's Chilean, he's happy, because it's never done him wrong.

The rapper loves Sour Patch Kids because they remind him of his childhood. "I've eaten so many Sour Patch Kids at one time that the whole side of my mouth hurts from eating all that sourness ... If anyone wants to win my heart, bring me a bag of Sour Patch Kids," he reveals.

DABOYWAY says cinnamon is hard to find in Thailand, but that makes it all the more special when he can get his hands on it. He says it reminds him of home and his favorite time of the year: football season. And he always appreciates that it makes "the room smell nice before I get on stage."

Press play to learn more about DABOYWAY's favorite items to have on tour, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: Dermot Kennedy Can't Go On Stage Without This Sentimental Cup
Dermot Kennedy

Photo: Andrew Rose

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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: Dermot Kennedy Can't Go On Stage Without This Sentimental Cup

After several years of touring, Irish singer Dermot Kennedy has had so much honey and lemon juice he now has taste aversion — but it instantly tastes better if he drinks out of his trust affirmation mug.

GRAMMYs/Aug 7, 2023 - 05:00 pm

If there's one thing Irish singer Dermot Kennedy will always make sure of on tour, it's that he'll have a selection of "extremely boring" healthy foods on his rider.

"Veggies, green juice, all that stuff," Kennedy says in this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas. "For my voice, I've got manuka honey, ginger, and lemon, and that's something I'm drinking all day." In fact, he's had honey and lemon so much that he says has PTSD from the flavors.

Thankfully, he's got one guilty pleasure that gives him a break from his clean eating — Irish whiskey, which he calls "non-negotiable" and "the most exciting thing on his rider."

When Kennedy actually hits the stage, one of the most important items is a mug of affirmations he wrote. "I am the best. This is easy. I sing like a bird. My breath is limitless," the cup reads. "if you're having a difficult show, it's a reassuring thing to see on the side of the mug."

No matter the size or location of the performance, Kennedy sees each one with equal importance. "There could be a 17-year-old version of yourself who's going to be inspired to [make music] themselves ... I like to believe those are the type of people who have been attracted to my music, too, so there's just this very real relationship there," he explains. 

Kennedy has been on tour all year in support of his sophomore album, Sonder; in June, he issued an extended 2023 edition that features his latest single, "Don't Forget Me." He’ll perform at a few festivals in Europe to close out the summer before heading to Canada in October, and will wrap his world tour in New Zealand and Australia in November and December.

Press play on the video above to learn more about Dermot Kennedy's relationship with live music, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: Catie Turner Reveals The One Fruit She Must Include On Her Tour Rider
Catie Turner

Photo: Lissyelle

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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: Catie Turner Reveals The One Fruit She Must Include On Her Tour Rider

When it comes to tour necessities, indie pop singer Catie Turner doesn't need much other than water and throat coat tea. But the one thing she must have is her favorite fruit — which is also her good luck charm.

GRAMMYs/Jul 31, 2023 - 06:33 pm

When it comes to building her tour rider, indie pop singer Catie Turner says she hasn't mastered the art of asking for "diva things." For now, she keeps it simple with throat coat tea, water, and, most importantly, a lot of blueberries.

"I don't know why," she reveals in this episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas. "I just love fruit so much. I think I could only eat fruit for the rest of my life and be content."

At first, she requested blueberries out of habit. But after a few shows, she realized, "This is my new favorite berry." Now, she enjoys them so much that she'll accept them in their standard form, and she even considers them to be her good luck charm.

Even when she thinks of "diva things," Turner's mind still goes to fruit; she beams over the idea of an Edible Arrangement in every green room. "Fruit shaped like a flower tastes better! I would love to see that every day. It makes me happy. It's whimsical," she giggles.

Press play on the video above to learn more about Catie Turner's fruit love, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Herbal Tea & White Sofas.

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