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Kimberly Nichole
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Kimberly Nichole Lets Out A Stirring Performance For Press Play
The "Rock Ballerina" passionately sings one of her new original songs, "It Ain't Fair," for the Recording Academy's newest video series, Press Play
Singer/songwriter Kimberly Nichole aka the self-proclaimed "Rock Ballerina" is a force to be reckoned with. She is captivating audiences with her powerful, passionate voice and eye-catching fashion sense. She is the star in the second ever episode of the Recording Academy's latest video series, Press Play, which will let you discover, get to know and love artists you may not have heard of yet through original performances.
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In this episode Nichole gives a passionate performance of her new original song, "It Ain't Fair," which she co-wrote and co-produced, from her upcoming album "West Coast Seattle Girl." Born and raised in Seattle, she sites her musical influences as gospel, soul, grunge and rock. With her strong, soulful voice and bright presence she offers a fresh take on rock.
Rewind
The artist self-released her debut album The Yellow Brick Journey in 2010. The ASCAP Foundation recognized her musical talents in 2012, when they gave her their "Reach Out and Touch" Award, designated for promising songwriters. In 2015 she gained a wider fan base as a popular contestant on season eight of "The Voice." On the show she shared her eye-catching style as she performed big rock covers, including Radiohead's "Creep" and Michael Jackson's "Dirty Diana."
Fast-forward
As her journey towards stardom continues to soar upwards, she inspires the next generation of artists with talks on black female musicians and pioneers, and has been a frequent guest speaker and performer at New York University's Clive Davis Institute of Music. She is ready to show the world more of her unique sound with her latest album, which drops on Nov. 23.
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The singer made her Broadway debut in "Rocktopia" in 2018 alongside Train's Pat Monahan and has toured with the group nationally. She was recently featured in Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koeing's anime series Neo Yokio on Netflix.
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Photo: Courtesy of Abby Sage
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Press Play: Watch Abby Sage Feed Her “Hunger” In This Acoustic Performance Of Her Single
Rising indie star Abby Sage performs “Hunger,” an unapologetic track about sexual liberation from her debut album, ‘The Rot.’
With "Hunger," rising indie star Abby Sage takes autonomy of her body. It’s a story of shameless self-discovery as she submits to her natural desires while simultaneously breaking down the toxic ideas she learned about sex in her adolescence.
"Feed my hunger/ No shame, I'm just a beginner," she croons in the chorus. "It's my own wonder/ Don't press, I'm just a beginner."
In this episode of Press Play, watch Sage deliver an acoustic performance of the single from her debut album, The Rot, which she released on March 1. According to a statement, the project is largely about "the decomposition and reconstruction of everything I was taught," including sex, anxiety, and more.
Sage said "Hunger" is "the most important song to me on the album" adding, "I wish I heard a song like this when I was first exploring my sexuality and my sexual journey, and for that reason, I hope it reaches people."
This May, Sage will embark on an international tour that begins in Los Angeles and concludes in London, with support from gglum, spiderblush, and Jayla Kai.
Watch the video above to hear Abby Sage's empowering performance of "Hunger," and remember to check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.
Watch Genia Narrate The Pain Of Heartbreak In This Raw Performance Of "Dear Life" | Press Play
Photo: Courtesy of Genia
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Press Play: Watch Genia Narrate The Pain Of Heartbreak In This Raw Performance Of "Dear Life"
R&B singer Genia offers an acoustic rendition of "Dear Life," one of the singles from her forthcoming mixtape, '4 AM In The Ville,' out April 19 via Def Jam.
On "Dear Life," R&B singer Genia pens a farewell letter to her lover — while simultaneously reflecting on how the intense saga crumbled her.
"I can't take anymore/ Put my pride aside, thought you could save me," she cries in the first verse. "These days, I don't know what I need/ You destroy me from the inside out/ If I go off the deep end/ You'll be sure not to bring me back."
In this episode of Press Play, watch Genia deliver a stripped-down performance of the vulnerable track alongside her guitarist.
The California native released "Dear Life" on Nov. 10, via Def Jam Recordings. She has also dropped three more singles — "Like That," "Know!," and "Let Me Wander" — leading up to her sophomore mixtape, 4 AM In The Ville, on April 19. 4 AM is a sequel to her debut, 4 PM In The Ville; both projects are inspired by Genia's experience of growing up in Victorville, California.
""[The songs] explore the different stages of grief in a relationship," she revealed in an interview with Urban Magazine. "The second tape is really me touching on falling in love, betrayal, anger, and rape."
Watch the video above to hear Genia's acoustic performance of "Dear Life," and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.
Photo: Courtesy of Kenya Vaun
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Press Play: Watch Kenya Vaun Reminisce About "Yesterday" In This Sentimental Studio Performance
Philadelphia native and R&B newcomer Kenya Vaun honors the beauty of childhood in this stripped-down performance of "Yesterday," a track from her new EP, 'The Honeymoon Phase.'
Now in her early twenties, R&B rookie Kenya Vaun would give anything to return to her childhood adolescence — the days of block-turned-house parties and no bills.
"Feels like it was only yesterday/ And life was so easy yesterday," Vaun raps in the chorus of her new song, "Yesterday." "If I had the chance to do it again/ I'd do it the same/ The joy and the pain/ The coldest of winters/ The summertime rain/ No, I wouldn't change my yesterdays."
In this episode of Press Play, watch Vaun deliver a live rendition of the track, straight from the recording studio.
"Yesterday" arrives on Vaun's latest EP, The Honeymoon Phase, which dropped March 22 via 300 Entertainment. She also released an accompanying music video, filmed in her hometown, Philadelphia.
"'Yesterday' talks about my experiences when I was younger because that is a huge part of what made me who I am today," Vaun said in an interview with Rated R&B. "Seeing how times are today, it's kind of like, 'Dang. Imagine if I grew up during this time.' I don't know how I would be, like, for real."
Watch the video above to hear Kenya Vaun's nostalgic performance of "Yesterday," and check back to GRAMMY.com for more episodes of Press Play.
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Photo: Courtesy of Jade LeMac
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Press Play: Jade LeMac Delivers A Stunning Acoustic Performance Of Her Breakthrough Single, "Constellations"
On the heels of releasing a deluxe version of her second EP, 'Confessions,' rising pop star Jade LeMac strips down her starry-eyed debut single, "Constellations," for a sultry acoustic version.
On "Constellations," pop singer and social media star Jade LeMac has stars in her eyes after a passionate moment in love.
"Your freckles lead the way/ I trace your constellations," LeMac sings in the chorus. But as the two leave each other's arms, it's like they're a galaxy away: "Now, you're gone in the blink of an eye/ I try to remember what you look like/ Orion's Belt in the sky/ Closest thing to you other than my mind."
In this episode of Press Play, LeMac delivers an at-home performance of "Constellations," stripping down the wavy track with just an acoustic guitar.
Initially released in 2021 via Arista Records, "Constellations" was LeMac's debut single, and eventually became the title of her 2023 debut EP. Nine months after releasing Constellations, LeMac delivered another EP, titled Confessions — and on March 1, she gave it the deluxe treatment.
"['Constellations'] started this whole journey, and I wouldn't be here without it," she said in a statement about the song, which went viral on TikTok after being featured in Netflix's My Life with the Walter Boys. "I have learned so much about myself, my songwriting, and storytelling."
Watch the video above to watch Jade LeMac's lovesick performance of "Constellations," and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.