Laycon squats in a golden room wearing shades and all-black

Laycon

Photo: Oluseyi Adegeye

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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: Afrorap/Afrobeats Star Laycon Explains His Love For Local Food & Why He Bans The Color Red

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Nigerian Afrorap/Afrobeats artist Laycon details his tour rider in the latest edition of GRAMMY.com's Herbal Tea & White Sofas video series
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 11, 2021 - 9:55 am

We've all experienced the emotional impact of color in our lives, be it a sparkling turquoise body of water, a soft pink and orange sunset, or a painting that calms your mind. Colors also signify different meanings in different cultures and contexts, and from a young age, we identify with our favorite color(s).

For Nigerian singer/rapper Laycon, red is a color he doesn't want around him to mess with his vibes before he gets on stage, as he explains in the latest episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas below.

Laycon On His Love For Local Food & His Fans

The Afrorap/Afrobeats artist also discusses his love for local food while on tour, video games, and, most of all, his fan family, dubbed the iCONs.

Press Play At Home: Watch Laycon Perform An Earthy Version Of "All Over Me"

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Press Play At Home: Layton

Laycon

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Press Play At Home: Watch Laycon Perform An Earthy Version Of "All Over Me"

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In the latest episode of Press Play At Home, watch Nigerian Afrorap/Afrobeats artist Laycon perform "All Over Me" with thrumming, dialogic energy
Morgan Enos
GRAMMYs
Jul 1, 2021 - 12:47 pm

Afrobeats may be a less-known genre stateside, but anyone interested in the qualities of human conversation should dig into the sound immediately. 

From Fela Kuti to Orlando Julius to Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo, the genre contains the rhythms of a ripping conversation—one you don’t want to end.

And from Antibalas to Burna Boy, the younger generation of Afrobeats artists is taking up the mantle, too.

Watch Laycon Perform “All Over Me” | Press Play At

For a fresh example of this, meet Laycon, a Nigerian Afrobeats/Afrorap artist who makes performing this music seem as natural as breathing.

In the latest episode of Press Play At Home, let the young Afrobeats ambassador spin a captivating musical yarn with help from his accompanists.

Watch Laycon’s inviting performance of "All Over Me" above and click here to enjoy more episodes of Press Play At Home.

Press Play At Home: Watch Omah Lay Elevate A Room While Performing "Can't Relate"

 

Herbal Tea & White Sofas: Sarkodie

Sarkodie

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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: How Sarkodie Unwinds Backstage With An Impressive Assortment Of Juices

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In the newest episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas, learn how Ghanaian Afrobeats artist and rapper Sarkodie chillaxes sans booze before hitting the stage—with a twist of pineapple, on the rocks
Morgan Enos
GRAMMYs
Sep 15, 2021 - 12:35 pm

Ghanaian Afrobeats artist Sarkodie doesn't really take alcohol backstage, which carves away a typical chunk of the pre- or post-show experience. What does he enjoy imbibing in lieu of beer, wine or liquor? Juice—and lots of it! (That said, if champagne's around, he's not averse to it.)

Mostly, though, Sarkodie likes to be in his own zone before the stage lights flare up. "After I'm done with a gig, I really like to drive around and play music in the car," he tells GRAMMY.com in the newest episode of Herbal Tea & White Sofas. "I drive around in the dark, reflect back on what just happened, play some music, and call it a night."

How Sarkodie Unwinds Backstage With Juice

Learn how Sarkodie chillaxes before hitting the stage and captivating global audiences. (His stock is rising among American audiences; get on board before he's a megastar stateside!)

Check out GRAMMY.com's animation-filled, informative introduction to Sarkodie above and enjoy more episodes of Herbal Tea and White Sofas below.

Olamidé On The Ascent Of Afrobeats, Supporting Newer Artists & His Subdued New Album UY Scuti

Oxlade performs with sunglasses

Oxlade

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ReImagined At Home: Let Oxlade Calm Your Soul With Performance Of Skip Marley's "Slow Down"

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For the latest edition of GRAMMY.com's ReImagined At Home cover series, Nigerian singer Oxlade puts his heart and powerful vocals on full display in this performance of Skip Marley's "Slow Down"
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 24, 2021 - 10:45 am

In the latest episode of the ReImagined At Home cover series, 24-year-old Nigerian singer Oxlade takes us to Lagos—the stunning steps of Shiro Lagos restaurant, to be exact—and right into his heart.

His warm rendition of Skip Marley's "Slow Down" offers just that, four sweet minutes to calm your mind and spirit.

Watch his performance in full below.

Oxlade Performs Skip Marley's "Slow Down"

Marley's reggae-infused R&B track featuring H.E.R. was nominated for Best R&B Song at the 63rd GRAMMY Awards show earlier this year. It was also the fastest and biggest streaming song from the Marley family!

Olamidé On The Ascent Of Afrobeats, Supporting Newer Artists & His Subdued New Album UY Scuti

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Larkin Poe pose at a Recording Academy event

Larkin Poe

Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images

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Herbal Tea & White Sofas: Larkin Poe On Their Love For Local Snacks On Tour

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Watch Rebecca and Megan Lovell, a.k.a. Larkin Poe, discuss their favorite parts of touring, which include trying local snacks and connecting with their fans
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Sep 1, 2021 - 11:44 am

You know when you're at a party and the food is so delicious, you wish you had a little more room in your stomach? And if the host gives you a little to-go container when you leave, it's the perfect chef's kiss moment.

For GRAMMY-nominated roots rock 'n roll sister duo Larkin Poe, touring with legendary British artist Elvis Costello was a bit like this. As they explain in the latest episode of GRAMMY.com's Herbal Tea & White Sofas, they loved the gourmet cheese he had backstage so much, they'd wrap up leftovers in napkins to snack on later.

Larkin Poe On Their Love For Local Snacks On Tour

In the video above, watch Rebecca and Megan Lovell, a.k.a. Larkin Poe, discuss their favorite parts of touring, which include trying local snacks and connecting with their fans.

11 Things We Learned About Larkin Poe At The GRAMMY Museum

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