Entertainment
Secretary Of State Antony Blinken Performs Muddy Waters’ ‘Hoochie Coochie Man’ To Kick Off Global Music Diplomacy Initiative
Secretary of State Tony Blinken kicked off a new state department global music diplomacy initiative by showing off his own skills as a singer-guitarist.
After delivering remarks at a State Department event, Blinken said that it would not be complete “without a little bit of blues,” before playing and singing the Muddy Waters classic “Hoochie Coochie Man.”
The State Department on the diplomacy initiative, which is designed to highlight music as a diplomatic tool in foreign policy, includes the Recording Academy as a partner. An American music mentorship program will bring international music industry professionals for mentorship and other opportunities. The first will be held in fall 2024.
Also announced was the Fulbright-Kennedy Center Visiting Scholar Award in Arts in Science, focusing on the intersection of arts and science. The competition will be announced in fall 2023, and the Kennedy Center will host the first scholar in 2024-25.
The State Department also will incorporate music into English-language learning overseas, and the diplomacy initiative will include oversees programming with arts envoys, including Herbie Hancock and the Dee Dee Bridgewater ensemble performing in Jordan in October. The tour then will go to Saudi Arabia for a first-of-its-kind program in that country. Ten American bands will travel to 30 countries starting in October, and the AMA Academy Cleveland will host young musicians from Ukraine in November.
Blinken and Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. also announced a Peace Through Music Award, with Quincy Jones as the inaugural recipient.
Mason said that the initiative will “promote peace and cross-cultural understanding through music while continuing our mission to lift up music people around the globe.” Also part of the initiative is YouTube and Google. In a statement, its global head of music Lyor Cohen said that the initiative “creates a new avenue for us” to raise artists’ voices “and drive global music diplomacy forward; breaking down cultural barriers and fostering peace through music.”
BBC
Entertainment
Why I almost quit music after Mo’Hits ended -Don Jazzy
In an interview with ‘Rolling Stone’, Don Jazzy disclosed that the abrupt dissolution of Mo’Hits, triggered by irreconcilable differences between him and D’banj, left him convinced his career was over.
Producer and music executive Michael Collins Ajereh popularly known as Don Jazzy has revealed why he nearly abandoned the music industry and relocated abroad following the 2012 collapse of Mo’Hits Records, the label he co-founded with singer D’banj.
In an interview with ‘Rolling Stone’, Don Jazzy disclosed that the abrupt dissolution of Mo’Hits, triggered by irreconcilable differences between him and D’banj, left him convinced his career was over.
“When Mo’Hits ended, I thought that was it. I almost packed up to move abroad. But friends encouraged me to stay and start again, and Mavin Records was born. Since then, I’ve learned not to let anything break me”, he said.
The split marked the end of one of Afrobeats’ most successful partnerships, which had produced hits like “Tongolo,” “Why Me,” and “Fall in Love.”
Entertainment
Burna Boy: Fela is the only artiste greater than me
In a viral clip from the stream, Burna Boy was seen dancing and singing along to Fela’s 1981 classic protest anthem, “Coffin for Head of State,” before emphatically declaring: “He is the king. He is the only one greater than me.”
Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Burna Boy, has declared that the late Afrobeat maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, is the only musician he considers greater than himself.
The self-acclaimed “African Giant” made the statement during a live streaming session with popular American content creator PlaqueBoyMax, where he spoke passionately about Fela’s enduring influence on African music and global culture.
In a viral clip from the stream, Burna Boy was seen dancing and singing along to Fela’s 1981 classic protest anthem, “Coffin for Head of State,” before emphatically declaring: “He is the king. He is the only one greater than me.”
Burna Boy’s remark has since generated buzz across social media, with fans and music critics interpreting it as both an homage to Fela and a reaffirmation of his own confidence in his musical legacy.
Entertainment
Why I regrets My relocation to America – Teju Babyface
“America has its own unique challenges that you will go through – tough challenges.
•Comedian and TV host Teju Babyface
Comedian and TV host Teju Babyface, has opened up about his experience of relocation to the United States, revealing that he once regretted moving there.
In a recent video shared on YouTube, the comedian said many people suffer from the “grass is greener” syndrome and the belief that life is better elsewhere until they face the realities of that new environment.
“The issue with life is that we almost suffer from ‘the grass is greener on the other side syndrome’ you understand that, you’ve heard about it before.
When we’re standing in one place, in one position in life and we’re looking at another position at another place from where we’re standing, from our advantage point, that other place looks very green, very rosy, very appealing and we want to be there.
The problem is that we don’t see the challenges of that side from where we are standing.”
Teju explained that his move to America came with unexpected struggles, particularly after the outbreak of COVID-19 shortly after his relocation.
” When we were leaving Nigeria, I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that it was the necessary next step in my career evolution – for us as a family, as a unit.
But when we got here and the challenges started, especially when you consider that COVID-19 started a few months after we arrived, I was convinced I had made the biggest mistake of my life.
“America has its own unique challenges that you will go through – tough challenges.
Then when you add COVID on top of that, ah! For about three years, I was convinced that I had made the biggest mistake of my life. That I had shot myself in the foot.”
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