All Of It: Divinity Rocks Performs Live and Talks Grammy Nomination
Podcast Information:
- Title: All Of It
- Host: Alison Stewart
- Produced by: WNYC
- Episode: Divinity Roxx Performs Live and Talks Grammy Nomination
- Release Date: January 22, 2025
- Description: ALL OF IT is a show about culture and its consumers, engaging thinkers, doers, makers, and creators to explore the what and why of their work.
Introduction to Divinity Rocks and "Worldwide Play Date"
In this episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart welcomes Divinity Rocks, a talented bassist and former music director for Beyoncé. Divinity discusses her latest album, "Worldwide Play Date," which has garnered a Grammy nomination in the Best Children's Album category. This nomination marks a significant milestone in her career, highlighting her dedication to creating meaningful and enjoyable music for both children and their parents.
Live Performance: "Celebrate" [00:23 - 04:05]
Divinity Rocks kicks off the episode with a vibrant live performance of her lead single, "Celebrate," from the Worldwide Play Date album. The song is an upbeat anthem encouraging listeners to embrace joyous moments such as birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries. The performance is energetic and engaging, setting a celebratory tone for the conversation that follows.
Notable Quote:
"It's a celebration every time we link up... where the confetti at?" – Divinity Rocks [02:21]
Reflections on Grammy Nomination [04:05 - 05:24]
Alison Stewart delves into the emotional landscape surrounding Divinity's Grammy nomination. Divinity recounts receiving the nomination while en route to a somber family funeral, illustrating the complex interplay between joy and sorrow.
Notable Quotes:
"We have to celebrate all the wins because it just keeps us lifted and it keeps us inspired to keep going." – Alison Stewart [04:23]
"I was on a plane headed to Atlanta for a funeral, and then I got a note from my publicist that you were nominated, and I was so happy, I screamed out loud." – Alison Stewart [04:35]
Creative Process Behind "Worldwide Play Date" [05:24 - 08:12]
Divinity elaborates on her creative vision for the album, aiming to infuse the playful energy of 90s hip hop into children's music. She collaborated with Detroit-based producer Wayne Gerard to achieve a fun, colorful, and engaging sound that resonates with both kids and their parents.
Notable Quote:
"I wanted this album to be fun. I wanted it to feel like 90s hip hop, where we're just jumping around on the playground with big, colorful outfits on, doing flips and choreography and having a good time." – Divinity Rocks [05:57]
Balancing Content for Kids and Parents [08:12 - 09:13]
Discussing the delicate balance of creating music that appeals to both children and adults, Divinity emphasizes the importance of intentionality in her songwriting. She aims to craft songs that parents enjoy listening to with their kids, ensuring that the album serves as a bridge between generations.
Notable Quote:
"Parents have to enjoy it just as much as the kids." – Divinity Rocks [07:52]
Maintaining Childlike Imagination [08:28 - 09:01]
Divinity shares insights on how she stays connected to her childlike creativity. Engaging with her nephews and nieces, she immerses herself in activities that evoke joy and play, such as dancing with her puppy or singing silly songs, which fuels her inventive spirit.
Notable Quote:
"I find this space of just joy and really resonating. And being in that joyful place lifts me up out of the dumps as an adult." – Divinity Rocks [08:41]
Introduction of Band Members and Performance of "Be Yourself" [09:13 - 12:01]
Alison introduces Wes Mingus on guitar and Granville on drums, who join Divinity for a performance of "Be Yourself," another standout track from the album. The song promotes self-confidence and individuality, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique selves.
Notable Quote:
"Cause you're the only one of you in the whole world." – Divinity Rocks [11:21]
The Journey to Self-Confidence as an Artist [12:01 - 14:01]
Alison asks Divinity about her personal journey towards self-confidence. Divinity candidly discusses her struggles with identity and artistry, highlighting the ongoing process of discovering her purpose and voice as a musician.
Notable Quote:
"As an artist, I think when you step out and you want to, you expose yourself to the world by being creative. You're searching for that voice." – Divinity Rocks [12:21]
Collaborations and Influential Mentors [14:01 - 13:38]
Divinity highlights the significant collaborations on her album, including contributions from Victor Wooten, a revered bassist who has been instrumental in her career. Other collaborators include Jamal Warner from Tank and the Bangas, and Mary Brown, her co-writer and mentor.
Notable Quote:
"I don't know where I'd be without Victor. He took me on the road with him and took a chance on this young, up-and-coming bass player, and it really changed my life." – Divinity Rocks [13:42]
One-Woman Show: "The Ballad of Debbie Walker" [14:17 - 14:42]
Alison brings up Divinity's upcoming one-woman show, "The Ballad of Debbie Walker," which chronicles the coming-of-age story of a superhero. Divinity expresses her excitement to revisit and further develop the show once she has more time after celebrating her album's success.
Notable Quote:
"It took a lot of courage. It took a lot out of me. But I'm ready to pour back into it." – Divinity Rocks [14:20]
Live Acoustic Performance: "Girl Dad" [14:43 - 18:13]
In a special acoustic rendition, Divinity performs "Girl Dad," a heartfelt tribute to fathers who embrace and support their daughters. This performance is a personal dedication from Divinity to her own father and all "girl dads," celebrating the unique bond and influence they have.
Notable Quote:
"He says he loves being a girl dad and he is blessed." – Divinity Rocks [15:22]
Challenges with YouTube Kids Discoverability [18:13 - 19:40]
Divinity addresses the difficulties independent artists face in making their content accessible on platforms like YouTube Kids. She explains that the search algorithms often hinder discoverability, making it challenging for her audience to find her music within the app.
Notable Quote:
"When they are actually doing a search for me in YouTube Kids on the app, on the iPad, they aren't finding my kids channel. It's one of the most frustrating things we are dealing with." – Divinity Rocks [18:37]
Future Projects and Goals [19:40 - 20:17]
Looking ahead, Divinity shares her plans to work on a new album, perform more shows throughout the year, and further develop her one-woman show. She expresses enthusiasm for continuing to create and share her music and stories with a broader audience.
Notable Quote:
"I think I'm gonna start working on a new album... and see if we can put that up." – Divinity Rocks [19:45]
Final Performance: "Worldwide Play Date" [20:03 - 23:23]
The episode concludes with Divinity performing the title track, "Worldwide Play Date," embodying the album's theme of global connection and joyful play. The song invites listeners to join in the fun, dance, and celebrate together, reinforcing the album's message of unity and happiness.
Notable Quote:
"Make sure you follow Divvy Rock's Kids." – Divinity Rocks [20:17]
Conclusion
Alison Stewart wraps up the episode by congratulating Divinity Rocks on her Grammy nomination and expressing gratitude for her performances and insights. The episode underscores the importance of celebrating achievements, maintaining creativity, and fostering connections through music.
Notable Quotes Summary:
- "It's a celebration every time we link up... where the confetti at?" – Divinity Rocks [02:21]
- "We have to celebrate all the wins because it just keeps us lifted and it keeps us inspired to keep going." – Alison Stewart [04:23]
- "As an artist, I think when you step out and you want to, you expose yourself to the world by being creative. You're searching for that voice." – Divinity Rocks [12:21]
- "I don't know where I'd be without Victor. He took me on the road with him and took a chance on this young, up-and-coming bass player, and it really changed my life." – Divinity Rocks [13:42]
- "He says he loves being a girl dad and he is blessed." – Divinity Rocks [15:22]
- "When they are actually doing a search for me in YouTube Kids on the app, on the iPad, they aren't finding my kids channel. It's one of the most frustrating things we are dealing with." – Divinity Rocks [18:37]
This episode of All Of It offers a deep dive into Divinity Rocks' creative journey, her commitment to producing family-friendly music, and the personal and professional challenges she navigates as an independent artist. Listeners gain valuable insights into the intersection of culture, creativity, and community through Divinity's inspiring story and performances.