Looking for exciting virtual events. Well, look no further than WEE Nation's Calendar to stay informed. Coming up this week Jan 26 - Feb 2, 2022 ...
Image: Recording Academy
UPDATE: The Recording Academy has announced that the GRAMMY Awards have been moved to Sunday, April 3, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV.
2022 GRAMMY NOMINEES
Best Children's Music Album
Activate - 123 Andres
All One Tribe - 1 Tribe Collective
Black to the Future - Pierce Freelon
A Colorful World - Falu
Crayon Kids - Lucky Diaz and The Family Jam Band
Image: 1 Tribe Collective
We are happy to announce that Uncle Devin has been nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Children's Album as a part of the All One Tribe album by 1 Tribe Collective. This album is a historic compilation album made up of 24+ Black children's music artists who came together after the murder of George Floyd and in protest of the lack of diversity in the GRAMMY's children's category.
Last year, Uncle Devin and Lolita Walker were two of the 13 co-founders of the Family Music Forward Collective, whose mission is to transform family music by supporting Black artists, children, and communities and dismantling individual, institutional, and systemic racial bias within the industry. Our amplification of Black artists, especially on WPFW, our syndicated show on KBOO 90.7 FM in Portland, OR, and our 24/7 online radio station WEENationRadio.com dedicated to Black children, has made a difference. This year, all five nominees were people of color.
Congratulations to all of the fellow nominees!! Thank you to the greater family music community of changemakers who made this historic moment possible.
Uncle Devin's song, "A Go-Go Fun Day," track 18, uses the official music of D.C., "Go-Go Music," to document the resistance movement by Black residents in the Nation's Capitol against racism. His fun and catchy children's song shows our ability to turn an adverse circumstance into a positive outcome that has lasted for over 100 years in a city where D.C. residents are taxed without representation. It's about community control of everything we do. You can listen to it Here!
If you'd like to hear more from the entire All One Tribe album, click here. These are not your typical family music songs. Don't believe me? Check out Ms. Janis' "Say Their Names", track 23 as just one great example of today's family music scene.
The Recording Academy will present the 2022 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards show on a new date Sun, April 3, on the CBS Television Network(opens in a new tab) and stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas from 8:00–11:30 PM ET / 5:00–8:30 PM PT. More information about the new location and time of the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony will be advised at a later date and will be streamed live on GRAMMY.com and the Recording Academy's YouTube channel(opens in a new tab).
Trevor Noah, the Emmy® Award-winning host of "The Daily Show", will return as master of ceremonies for Music’s Biggest Night®.
Scroll below for more information about AOT and how it all began.
WEE Nation Radio
Celebrating and Amplifying the Black Family Music artists
Wednesdays 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm on WPFW 89.3 FM in Washington DC
If you miss a show, no worries, you'll find our archives posted just for you. Come back and listen at any time. Head on over to WEENationRadio.com/WPFW, select any of our wonderful shows.
Here you'll find the culturally relevant and age-appropriate music that you've come to love here on WNR as well as interviews with artists, authors, storytellers, educators and more!
ALL ONE TRIBE Juneteenth Album Release!!
Live Streamed on Saturday, Jun 19, 2021
Celebrating the rich culture and diversity that Black voices
bring to family music.
The special Livestreamed All One Tribe event on YouTube featured live performances, music video features and interviews with artists from the album. For more information on the artists and to see the debut music video, visit www.1TribeCollective.com.
Tuff Gong International and Aya World Productions released the first Black collaborative family music album titled All One Tribe on Juneteenth, June 19th, 2021. The 25-track project from the newly organized 1 Tribe Collective celebrates the rich culture and diversity that Black voices bring to family music by presenting the sounds of 24 family music artists from across the country.
All One Tribe spans musical genres and is suitable for families and children of all ages. The tracklist addresses topics of STEM, vaccinations, family, Black history, and the beauty of differences. Their collective single, “One Tribe” brings the artists together for an energetic expression of universal belonging and unity. “If we can dance together, we can live together,” the artists affirm. “We are one love, one light, one heart, one mind, one tribe for life.”
"I’m so excited to drop this music for the world! All of the artists bring pure vibes and share songs that uplift black and brown voices in creative, and meaningful ways”, says co-producer Smith.
In 2020, the overt exclusion of Black “Best Children’s Album” Grammy nominees sparked a larger conversation about lack of representation in the family music space. That, combined with nationwide protests following the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, inspired Kemp and fellow musicians Amelia Robinson and Aaron Nigel Smith to join forces and bring this project to life.
Shawana “Shine” Kemp, co-producer of All One Tribe, is hopeful for what this historic project means for the family music industry at large. “The family music arena is a predominantly white space, even though Black artists have been here for over a decade,” she says. “This project is a step in the direction of equity for Black family music artists.”
The project sets out to expand public awareness of the excitement and excellence of these diverse children’s songwriters, and to remind the world that Black families do not represent a monolith. The 1 Tribe Collective hopes to reprogram society’s perception of Black youth while giving young people and families permission to live out loud and celebrate their uniqueness.
“We need Black leadership at the table,” says Amelia Robinson, co-producer of All One Tribe. “You can’t do a project about Black lives without Black voices.”
One Tribe Collective’s debut album was released on June 19, 2021, and is available on all streaming platforms. Pre-orders were available on May 25 in honor of George Floyd. Order yours today. A portion of album proceeds will go towards a nonprofit which supports Black lives. ~ 1 Tribe Collective.
Meet the 1 Tribe Collective
@tuffgonginternational @ayaworldproductions @aaronnigelsmith @shine.moonbeams @milstrills @themagicjones @thewisechannel @UncleDevinShow and @WEENationRadio @groovynatekids @fyutch @hellounclejumbo @ms.janis_music @joyfilledmusic @missjessicasworld @imculturequeen @jabaliafrika @kymberlystewartmusic @butchyg3 @msnikismusicclass @nannynikkimusic @piercefreelon @rissipalmermusic @robbi.kumalo @thestemusic @saulpaul @shine.moonbeams @mysnooknuk @alphabetrockers @fathergooseent @djwillywow
All One Tribe Collective on FB / Insta / TikTok: @1TribeCollective | Twitter: @1TribeCollecti2
Distributor: @TuffGongInternational
Producers: Aya World Productions: @ayaworldproductions
Aaron Nigel Smith @aaronnigelsmith | Shawana “Shine” Kemp @shine.moonbeams| Amelia Robinson @milstrills
The Know Better Do Better Project seeks to encourage conversation and awareness of songs that have played a role in sustaining systemic racism, and the writing of new alternative songs. We believe that by facing our music history, creating new songs, and making informed decisions about the songs we choose to sing, we amplify the positive power of music to shape a more just and inclusive world.
Uncle Devin was honored to co-host the launch of The Know Better Do Better Project.
Visit Live Stream on Club Passim's YouTube channel to watch the full event.
To learn more about how you can contribute a song visit Know Better Do Better Project.
Kukusa Fest 2021: A Salute to Women
Free Virtual Music Festival Celebrating Black Women
Sat, Apr 10, 3-5 pm ET/ 12-2 pm PT/ 2-4 pm CT
Streamed Live via WEE Nation’s YouTube page
Artwork by Arielle Wilkins/Brothas N Sistas
Kukuza Fest was the first-ever free, all-Black Family Music festival and series in the country.
“Kukuza” means “amplify” in Swahili.
Kukuza Fest aims to provide children and families access to performers and music that welcome, reflect and celebrate them – amplifying Black voices and celebrating Black artists of Family Music. Powered by WEE Nation Radio in association with Family Music Forward.
Kukuza Fest returned on Sat, April 10, 2021, from 3 to 5 PM EST, featuring Black
Women in Family Music. The lineup included R&B sensation The Magic Jones, rockstar/
producer bassist Divinity Roxx, LA-based songstress Snooknuk, Miami-based multi-disciplinary artist Inez Barlatier, pianist Kymberly Stewart of LA, and many others. The Emcee was Arts Education Consultant and social media personality, Joy Marilie of New York.
Together, Family Music Forward and WEE Nation Radio – along with presenters,
venues, leaders and partners in the Family Music industry across the country – are
building a movement that ensures safe, diverse and inclusive spaces for all children.
If you missed it, watch Kukuza Fest 2021, it was a blast!!!
Kukuza Fest 2020
Our first Kukuza Fest was in September 2020, check out the videos of the 2-day festival here.
WEE Nation Radio
Celebrating and Amplifying the Black Family Music artists
Wednesdays 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm on WPFW 89.3 FM in Washington DC
If you miss a show, no worries, you'll find our archives posted just for you. Come back and listen at any time. Head on over to WEENationRadio.com/WPFW, select December 30, 2020, Best Songs of 2020, or any of our other wonderful shows.
The show featured many of the Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) that were shut out of the Grammys. WEE Nation Radio honored current and past nominees as well as other noteworthy artists you and your family will love!!
WEE Nation Radio is available EVERYWHERE!!
Breaking News!! Just say, “Hey Google Talk to WEE Nation Radio” to listen to your favorite tunes and artists on your Google-enabled devices. You can also listen on Pandora now. Give it a try-😉 Alexa is coming soon!
WEE Nation Radio is now available for streaming on Roku TV and Amazon Fire TV. That's right, you can listen to WEE Nation Radio on your device. Just use the search feature or you'll find it in the kids and family or music categories.
Be sure to give us a rating and let us know how we're doing. Or let's connect on music@weenationradio.com. We'd love to hear from you.
Celebrate Native American Heritage Year Around!!
WPFW is excited to announce the addition of a new Indigenous program, Let's Talk Native airing Fridays at 2 pm - with John Kane, producer and host. Listen live at Wpfwfm.org
Let’s Talk Native... is produced in the LTN Studios on the Cattaraugus Territory of the Seneca Nation. John Kane is Mohawk and has spent his life fighting for Native people and educating Native and non-Native people on the true history and challenges Native people have faced. Let’s Talk Native... features guests and commentary on history and the issues Native people are confronted with today and into the future. This is not the radio show you expect. It’s the one that challenges all the stereotypes and tropes you are familiar with. We are honest and perhaps a bit harsh. We are real! More at www.letstalknative.com.
National Native American Heritage Year-Round Resources
In tonight's WEE Nation Radio Show on WPFW 89.3FM we will feature songs honoring the rich history of Native American's in this country and around the world.
If you have not visited the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, it is a must. They are open, but with limited timed-entry as well as safety protocols. To learn more and reserve your timed-entry passes click here.
We look forward to the day when they re-open, but for a list of their virtual events this month, check out their calendar. For more information on 2020 events visit nativeamericanhertiage.gov
The National Congress of American Indians is another great resource for policy issues, initiatives, events and youth programs, especially the First Kids 1st - Every Child is Sacred Collaborative, visit ncai.org
Uncle Devin & WEE Nation Radio's Ongoing Virtual Events
Kukuza Fest!!
Amplifying Black Voices in Family Music
Streamed Live on Saturday, September 19 & 20, 2020 at 3 pm - 5 pm EST
Kukuza is Swahili for amplify, and this festival is here to amplify Black voices with a spectacular lineup of Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated artists with live performances across a range of genres for the entire family, including Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr, Alphabet Rockers, Pierce Freelon, and more.
Kukuza Fest is powered by WEE Nation Radio in association with the Family Music Forward Collective.
If you missed it, visit WEE Nation Radio's Kukuza Fest event page for videos of Day 1 and Day 2 as well as more details on how to contribute via donation, future event sponsorship or contact us. You will also find more information on Family Music Forward.
Be sure to like, subscribe and share our WEE Nation Radio YouTube page so you don't miss any of WEE Nation Radio's newly released videos.
The Uncle Devin Show® is a live, interactive musical experience for children by renowned drummer Devin Walker. The show cultivates the minds of children through percussion instruments and is a dynamic cross between DC’s Trouble Funk and Schoolhouse Rock. Great for preschool and school-age kids!
Ongoing Virtual Programming for the Entire Family
Adventure Theater & ATMTC Academy has a variety of programs to uplift BIPOC artists, playwrights, actors and authors via Facebook Live on Sundays at 2 pm EST. Facebook Live Virtual Events
Visit Adventure Theatre to learn more.
Our friends with Sparks for Success is a non-profit organization based in Austin, TX that helps to change the lives of incarcerated children through music. They work with students experiencing traumas resulting from parental incarceration. They have developed Virtual Music Therapy videos to share coping mechanisms with children and their families. Go to SparksForSuccess.org for more information.
Grab your shakers, bells or anything that makes a fun noise and join the DC Public Library on Facebook Live for Virtual Story Time. For more information, go to DCLibrary.org.