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Why Raphael Saadiq Avoided Creating ‘Children’s Music’ for ‘Marvel’s Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur’

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Raphael Saadiq attends the premiere of Marvel’s “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” held on the Walt Disney Studios Lot on February 4, 2023 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Variety via Getty Images)

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Raphael Saadiq has effortlessly soundtracked the lives of countless Gen Xers, Millennials and Zoomers, collaborating with R&B soul bands like Tony! Toni! Tone! or Lucy Pearl, as a solo artist and collaborator with the likes of D’Angelo and Mary J. Blige, or at the same time as a songwriter with Beyoncé or producer Solange. Now, by writing music for the favored Disney+ animated series, he opens his influence to the youngest music lovers.

“It’s always great to be rediscovered by many people,” the singer, producer and instrumentalist tells ESSENCE. “My profession was like that. It burns slowly slightly than quickly, which I actually like.

tells the story of 13-year-old supergenius Lunella, who unintentionally opens a portal and brings a 10-ton T-Rex from the Jurassic era to the current day. With the assistance of her friends, she becomes a superhero who secretly saves the day together with her favorite dinosaur while living on New York’s Lower East Side.

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“I always loved animation as a kid – most kids love it,” Saadiq said of his love of the source material. “When I saw it, I said, ‘Let’s try it.’”

Why Raphael Saadiq Didn't Create

Saadiq, who wrote the music for the series and is an executive producer, says drawing inspiration for the sound of this superhero story didn’t occur to him when he thought back to the New York City of his youth.

“I like that it represents certain places in New York that I knew,” Saadiq says. “Steve Loter, the producer who introduced me to the show, was a graffiti artist as a toddler. That’s why we all the time talked about how New York was painted in so many colours before gentrification happened and every little thing began turning gray.

In an try and capture this sense and speak to the culture of a young black girl growing up in Brooklyn at the middle of history, Saadiq desired to capture the electrifying sense of the town’s cultural melting pot. The soundtrack includes Jamaican influences, hip-hop, funk, R&B, salsa and more – sounds that will naturally soundtrack a 13-year-old’s life growing up within the famous neighborhood.

However, already on the stage of making the soundtrack for Lunella’s adventures, Saadiq stated that he deliberately didn’t wish to create “music for children” – despite the recent popularity of kids’s song culture.

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Why Raphael Saadiq Didn't Create
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 28: Raphael Saadiq attends the World Premiere of Amazon Prime Video’s “Candy Cane Lane” at Regency Village Theater on November 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

“I also give back to the home, not only to the children. “Music is not just for children,” he says. “This gives children the chance to listen to music created for the sake of making music. Growing up, my parents didn’t play me much kids music. I grew up listening to Al Green.”

“But even when you were watching Bugs Bunny, you were listening to full orchestras,” he explains. “You don’t know it as a child, but you listen to the symphony all the time. The scoring was completely different than it is today.”

“So I just give back to the communities and families what I have received. I think [the new generation] deserves a chance to hear all the colors and the different instruments, the woodwinds and the flutes, and all the sounds that God has given them, because there are so many different sounds here that heal people.”

In addition to helping heal children through his partnership with Disney, Saadiq can also be helping to heal the community’s relationship with country music through his other recent endeavor, Beyoncé’s breakthrough country album. Saadiq wrote the lyrics for lead singles “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em,” helping usher in an exciting latest era for Black artists within the country.

Why Raphael Saadiq Didn't Create
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 04: (L-R) Raphael Saadiq, Pilar Flynn, Laurence Fishburne, Fred Tatasciore, Diamond White, Libe Barer, Gary Anthony Williams, Steve Loter and Rodney Clouden attend the red carpet premiere for Disney and Marvel’s Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur” at Walt Disney Studios on February 4, 2023 in Burbank, California. (Photo: Steven Simione/Getty Images)

“I love working with people who really know what they want to do and how I can help them,” he said of the songwriting process. “It’s always good to work with someone who is trying to achieve new things because they are great at everything they do. Beyoncé has a work ethic that is out of this world. I’m the same way. I like working, I love all kinds of music; Country, Jazz, R&B, Classical, everything. So my method is simply, “let’s go.” That’s really it. I’m always ready to work.”

When it involves his own chameleon-like ability to change genres and create across industries, Saadiq says the key isn’t any secret. It all comes all the way down to honing your talent and continuing to work.

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“I say it’s about being good. Everyone wants to be hot all the time, but it’s really about being consistent, being good and giving people something to do.”

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Usher to provide the address of the Emory University class start from 2025 graduates

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It seems that there will not be much that Usher Raymond IV – Better, known to the world, simply as a USher – no. He can sing. He can dance. He can sing and dance while skating. He works. Sells Las Vegas residences. Performs philanthropic work.

And also performs the completion addresses. Usher was utilized by the University in its own yard. May 12 Usher will provide the address at Emory University 180. Ceremony of graduation and shall be awarded with an honorary doctorate in humanitarian letters from the institution. This will not be the first Usher Rodeo with an honorary doctorate; In 2023 Berklee School of Music in Boston He awarded the International Superstar with distinction. He also gave comments then.

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Usher will not be alien to Emory University. His non-profit, New Usher Lookwhich according to the website“He transforms the lives of malnourished youth through a comprehensive program that develops passion, global leaders”, has established cooperation with Emory’s University’s University Goizueta Business School in a 400-hour program helping to prepare teenagers for faculty. Apparently, non-profit influenced over 50,000 students.

“I spent my life following my spark – my passion – and trying to support young people when they find and follow their own passions. I am excited that I have the opportunity to talk to these amazing Emory students who graduate and prepare for imprint in the world – said Usher in Billboard statement.

Usher is one of the most successful musical acts in history, selling over 80 million records, winning many Grammy awards and has toured throughout the world since his profession in the mid -90s. His album “Confessions” from 2004 is the second best -selling album from 2000 and is taken into account by Rolling Stone as one of the best albums of all of all of all.

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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The most iconic moments of the beauty of Robert Flack – Essence

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Robert Flack, a valued singer, songwriter and pianist, died on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88. The legendary singer, whose velvety voice again defined the soul and R&B, stays a everlasting icon of elegance, emotions and artistry. With timeless classics, resembling “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “The First Time Ever and Wis See Your Face”, the singer died the audience captivated the audience along with her ability to weave delicacy and power in every note. Not only will we take heed to her repetitive music, but we won’t stop eager about its most iconic moments of beauty.

In the 70s Robert seriously swayed Afro – a daring statement of being black and proud – during performances at live shows, including the famous Newport Jazz festival. Two years later, she honored the scene of Ronnie Scott in London along with her hair drawn into the band, combined with dramatic long eyelashes, which defined her characteristic appearance. Always to experiment with hair, she also accepted braids decorated with beads, without effort combining style and cultural pride.

Just a few many years quickly forward, and Robert was still turning her head. While playing in Gillette Civil Rights 2010 between Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals, she stunned the navy blue eye shadow, a dark light highlighter and daring red lipstick. The following yr, she performed at Bideawee Ball from 2011 with full rhythm – eyeliner, mascara, highlighter and its characteristic red lips. And in 2020 she performed unforgettable during the 62th annual Grammy Awards, wearing a beautiful curly crown and the same red lipstick that we met and loved.

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In honor of her everlasting legacy, we glance back at some of the most iconic beauty moments of Roberta’s incomparable flack.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Joe Freshgoods X New Balance 992 “Starn Well” is celebrating cooperation

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New Balance, Joe Freshgoods, Chicago

 


Joe Freshgoods selects five years and counts with New Balance because of his latest version 992 “Arged Well”, a tribute to his creative partnership with a characteristic brand of sportswear, which still supports his design talents and a contagious passion.

After Debut On the Joe Freshgoods New Balance 992 website, Chicago Creative is preparing for a wider version of February 28 via newbalance.com and chosen retail sellers. The new edition of the sneakers means the fifth anniversary of Joe of New Balance, milestone after almost stood before closing his now widely beloved and known brand.

The document coming in June 2025 is shared within the history of Joe’s success, from his start as an area Streetwearus brand in his hometown of Chicago to providing New Balance partnership in 2020, when he wasn’t sure find out how to keep his business.

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“He examines how the partnership influenced the global culture of sneakers and development transparency”, Joe common In the announcement on Instagram, “which was more important to me than just doing it about tennis games. This is a real life. ”

The trailer of the documentation offers access to Joe’s journey, presenting his modest approach to success and its influence on the Boston brand of sportswear founded in 1906. Since joining New Balance, Joe Robinson (higher referred to as Joe Freshgoods), a champion with a young history.

Five years later, with 20 Sneakers Publishing House and counting the most recent cooperation of New Balance Joe Freshgoods is a love letter for his creative journey with the Boston brand.

“Sometimes I feel that I shouldn’t be here. But I am here and say, “Oh, I’m good at what I do,” he says within the film.

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Project 992 “Agnish well” attracts the inspiration from the primary cooperation of Joe Freshgoods from New Balance – the edition of New Balance 992 “No Emotions”, also referred to as “heart anatomy”. It was a right away hit and celebrated in the course of the NBA All-Star weekend, and now charges resale prices around $ 3,000.

While the explanations for the New Balance revival may vary, many consider the primary release of Joe 992 to be a catalyst that enlivened the brand. Sneakers have pink and red suede silhouettes placed on an olive mesh base and accented saddle skin on the tongue and rear card.

Four sets of lace are attached, and the box is decorated with unique details reflecting the theme “aging well”. In addition, Joe Freshgoods designed the “Championship Dreams” leather university jacket to commemorate his five -year success as a designer.

“I wanted this jacket to capture the essence of the last five years – each project was a milestone, another closed chapter, another dream,” Joe signature Post on Instagram. “Over time, I had the honor to tell culturally important stories, and this jacket reflects this travel project according to the design.”

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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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