Navy sings and looks into the distance

Navy

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Press Play At Home: Watch Navy Perform A Radiant, Relaxed Version Of "Patra"

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In the latest episode of Press Play At Home, watch Caribbean singer/songwriter Navy perform a glowing version of her new single, "Patra"
Lior Phillips
GRAMMYs
Nov 18, 2021 - 11:42 am

Few artists can bridge influences as wide-ranging as Nas, Stevie Wonder and Stevie Nicks, but Caribbean singer/songwriter Navy creates a musical alchemy that leads to fluttering, golden tracks like "Patra." And not only does the track thrive in the swank R&B on its single release, but Navy has the golden vocals to transform it with just an acoustic guitar.

"When you look the way you do, confidence drips from your top to your shoe," she sings on "Patra," her nimble vocals tumbling across the strummed chords. The song is an extended chat-up to a "shy guy," Navy convincing the object of her desire to just forget all the nonsense in his head and give her a shot. And what better way to lay it all out on the line than over acoustic guitar, emanating a radiant glow in front of the seaside.

Watch Navy Perform The Radiant "Patra"

Watch Navy's lush performance of "Patra" above and enjoy more episodes of Press Play At Home below.

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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.

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A split screen of Militarie Gunn performing

Militarie Gun

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Press Play At Home: Watch Militarie Gun Perform An Anxious, Combustible Rendition Of "Big Disappointment"

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In the newest episode of Press Play At Home, watch Los Angeles punk band Militarie Gun perform a blazing version of their recent 'All Roads Lead to the Gun II' track, "Big Disappointment"
Morgan Enos
GRAMMYs
Nov 11, 2021 - 1:19 pm

To understand the ultra-hardworking punk musician Ian Shelton, compare his two bands: Regional Justice Center and Militarie Gun.

Regional Justice Center is more abrasive by far: a blur of grind riffs and blast beats, with Shelton — who screams and drums — working through his emotions stemming from his separation from his currently incarcerated brother.

Militarie Gun, where Shelton simply has the mic, is no less intense. But it represents a different facet of Shelton, one turned to catch a little more light.

In the newest episode of Press Play At Home, watch the band — Shelton, guitarists Nick Cogan and William Acuña, bassist Max Epstein, and drummer Vince Ngyuen — rip into "Big Disappointment," a highlight from their most recent EP, All Roads Lead to the Gun II, which dropped June 4 on Alternatives Label.

Watch Militarie Gun Rip Into "Big Disappointment"

Therein, Shelton displays his chops as a visual thinker — making music videos is his occasional day job, after all — as the band performs a high-octane rendition of "Big Disappointment."

Read More: "A Joyful Burden": How Ian Shelton Of Militarie Gun & Regional Justice Center Makes Art Out Of Negativity

While the video evokes some of Shelton's poppier influences — he counts the Beatles and Guided by Voices as two of his favorite bands — Militarie Gun's true strength is in how they engage the heart and the head simultaneously.

While their sound and energy may make you want to break things, the essence of Militarie Gun is construction, not destruction. The soul of the band is Shelton's relentless, creative drive — the invisible gun to one's head that drives self-expression and personal achievement.

Check out Militarie Gun's pummeling performance of "Big Disappointment" above and enjoy more episodes of Press Play At Home below.

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Justin Fancy look forward while singing

Justin Fancy

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Press Play At Home: Justin Fancy Shows How To Move On From Heartbreak With His Performance Of "Beauty Queen"

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In the newest episode of Press Play At Home, Canadian country artist Justin Fancy checks off each of the seven stages of grief and turns heartbreak into a lesson learned with his smooth performance of his new single "Beauty Queen"
Taj Mayfield
GRAMMYs
Oct 28, 2021 - 10:00 am

With his performance of his new single "Beauty Queen," Canadian country artist Justin Fancy puts his broken heart back together by expertly navigating through the seven stages of grief.

"I've been so bloody lost, just feeling like we're stranded," Fancy sings, checking off the first of the seven steps: shock and denial. "I ain't losing no more sleep. I ain't never going to suffer," he proclaims, acknowledging his progress to the final stage: acceptance and hope.

Watch the Newfoundland native's smooth performance of "Beauty Queen" in this week's episode of Press Play At Home below.

Watch Justin Fancy Perform New Song "Beauty Queen"

"Beauty Queen" is the lead single from Fancy's upcoming EP, which is set to release in spring 2022. Fancy's 2020 debut album, Sure Beats a Good Time, helped crown the singer/songwriter Music Newfoundland's Country Artist of the Year and Rising Star of the Year.

Watch more episodes of the Press Play At Home performance series below and catch new episodes every Thursday.

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Flores looks at the camera while wearing a red leather jacket

Flores

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Press Play At Home: Flores Shows Shades Of Jazmine Sullivan & Frank Ocean In Stunning Performance Of "Mayahuel"

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In the newest episode of Press Play At Home, singer/songwriter Flores blends a soulful delivery with engaging songwriting in her performance of "Mayahuel"
Taj Mayfield
GRAMMYs
Oct 14, 2021 - 10:18 am

Every track from Mexican American singer/songwriter Flores is a Tyson Fury-esque one-two punch⁠—her soulful vocals jab you into attention, then once you're engaged, her lyrics deliver the knockout blow.

"Mayahuel" is the perfect example of the El Paso native's impeccable blend of songwriting and delivery. Co-written by longtime collaborator Timothy Worthington—also known as Maths Time Joy—"Mayahuel" dives deep into heartbreak.

Watch Flores deliver a gripping performance of the intimate track in the latest episode of Press Play At Home.

Watch Flores' Gripping Performance of "Mayahuel"

Despite being an independent artist with less than a handful of songs on streaming services, Flores has already amassed over 10 million streams and been referred to as "the future of R&B" by Pigeons and Planes. The singer/songwriter lists Lauryn Hill, Selena, Jazmine Sullivan, Chavela Vargas, and Frank Ocean as some of her inspirations.

Watch Flores display shades of each of her inspirations in the above episode of Press Play At Home, and check out other episodes of the performance series below.

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