OP-ED: The State of Children's Music

Three of the five Best Children's Album have declined their nominations after finding out that they have no Black artists. But is this action and those of others paving a path for promoting the diversity of kindie music?

The Okee Dokee Brothers were one of three artists who declined their Grammy nods, but pulled out due to the Best Children's Album category being "all-white" and many diverse artists were more deserving of the honor. But has this lead to decisive action to end this cycle of racism in kid's music? And will Black artists finally be able to be heard by the Recording Academy

(L-R, top to bottom: The Okee Dokee Brothers, 123 Andres, Saul Paul, Elena Moon Park, Pierce and Stella Freelon)

Photos: Facebook pages of artists mentioned above

The last few weeks had been a very tough time for children's artists. Last December, the Grammy nominees were announced, but there was massive outcry from the BIPOC community. Three of the nominees, namely The Okee Dokee Brothers, Dog on Fleas, and Alastair Moock had announced they had pulled out considering the so-called "all-white category", that as many artists of color had notable and stellar releases but have not reached the nominations. And after quite a year of racial reckoning in America, of course, they feel as if they were silenced by the Recording Academy, and they are calling it another incident of systemic racism.

A potential big winner at the Grammys

One of the artists that had Grammy potential was Pierce Freelon. His album, "D. A. D" album received attention by the likes of NPR and NBC's Today Show. He has lauded the efforts of Moock and the other nominees that have pulled out of the nominations due to its lack of diversity. Many have admired Freelon's album as it celebrates an aspect of fatherhood "that has not been exposed enough" according to an interview with WXPN radio's "Kids Corner" program (link to the full show below) and deals with themes surrounding ethics like consent but is above all a salute to fathers who like to have fun with their daughters. My review of "Daddy Daughter Day" can be found here.

Leading by consience

Moock's album focused on the struggles of great leaders throughout history.

Photo: Alastair Moock Music on Facebook

The main message of Alastair Moock's once-nominated album "Be a Pain" is about being a wise leader and also a tribute to leaders who have stood up against injustice and social issues. That was also the very same message that he wanted to impart by giving up his Grammy nomination, along with the Okee Dokee Brothers and Dog on Fleas.

In an interview with NPR, Moock claimed that having an "all-white slate of nominees seemed really tone-deaf" He also aspired for Grammy attention, but declined as "the playing field was not even".

However, one artist that stayed on the Grammy ballot was Joanie Leeds. Her album covers another very timely and riveting album, All the Ladies. (find my review here)

In an interview with NPR, Leeds "did not decline because my album is all about empowering women". And that hits closer to home for me, as it is a gathering of the finest women in kids music and it tackles very moving topics such as female leadership and self-confidence. It also pays tribute to the late US Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It was also produced by 20 strong women of kindie, including previous Grammy winner Lucy Kalantari and co-stars Grammy winner Lisa Loeb and other prominent women of the genre including Lori Henriques, Latina-American Sonia De Los Santos, as well as Polly Hall of Andrew & Polly. Even the creative team in this album is "100% female" according to a press release.

Moock's album described the many who struggled to fight for issues such as gender inequality and racial segregation, so it's also in line with that same message that he thought that "Well, there have been many artists of color who had been making good releases, but were unfortunately shunned" so they wanted to change the status quo of children's music.

So they, along with many other artists, hatched a plan to make that happen

Massive efforts for big changes in representation

Many media outlets such as NPR, Rolling Stone, Billboard and Variety had put out very powerful reportages regarding the issue. Both the NPR and Rolling Stone pieces had noted the efforts of the children's music community to change all that, especially the discrimination of BIPOCs in family music.

Family Music Forward aims to set plans for a more diverse family music scene.

Photo: Family Music Forward on Facebook

One such example is Family Music Forward. They are a group of BIPOC artists aiming to amplify their music and efforts. It was highlighted by both NPR and the Stone that there are efforts underway in cooperation with Grammy officials.

The Alphabet Rockers, two time Grammy nominees had powerful words to describe the Grammy situation to Rolling Stone.

Photo: Alphabet Rockers on Facebook

Rolling Stone also spoke to Alphabet Rockers frontman and two-time Grammy nominee Tommy Soulati Shepard. He claimed that other forms of children's music "protect the innocence of childhood" and that other children's artists have a folk or country blend.

However, based on my observations, in recent years, there had been a surge of these sub-genres and artists branching out to various musical styles. That has been constantly pointed out by the nominees who have pulled out as well as other BIPOC artists. Take for example Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, who had been making family-friendly hip-hop music for over a decade and most recently, made a series of EPs that have been groundbreaking. (read my review of them here)

Another example is Lucy Kalantari and Jazzy Ash. These two artists have been making jazz-inspired kids music and have been having a series of notable hits. Jazzy Ash had made New Orleans-style rhythms while Lucy on the other hand had made 1920s style beats. Lucy had also won a Grammy in 2019 for her album, "All the Sounds"

123 Andres had a riveting and relevant album for families, just one of those that have been put under Grammy consideration but did not make the final nominations.

Photo: 123 Andres on Facebook

In recent months, there have been new releases from BIPOC artists that were also pointed out by the Okee Dokees for having Grammy potential. Take for example, 123 Andres. They are a half-Colombian bilingual musical duo who had an album called "Hola, Amigo" that tackled issues such as ethics, racial history, and finding your way through personal and widespread struggles. You can read my full review of the album here.

Saul Paul's enigmatic album "Be the Change" was one of the many albums considered for the nominations.

Photo: Saul Paul on Facebook

Another example of another notable BIPOC release was Saul Paul's eclectic "Be the Change" and it also featured other kindie powerhouses Lucy Kalantari, 123 Andres, and Lori Henriques, among others. Freelon also told Rolling Stone that this album would have been a "slam dunk" at the Grammys. A brief review can be found here.

The three aforementioned media outlets had reported that FMF had called upon a virtual conference with Grammy officials last December 11, in which the artists involved in the organization's efforts would take the time to air their grievances to the Academy. Present there were the nominees who declined as well as Joanie Leeds, who retained her nomination for her female-empowerment work "All the Ladies" as well as other movers and shakers of children's music. Also present at the aforementioned meeting were newly-incited Recording Academy president Harvey Mason Jr. and newly-appointed "chief diversity officer" Vanessa Butterfield Jones.

Many reports have also cited that the meeting has seen some good progress and has been leading to some meaningful actions for future editions of the Grammys.

It has been reported to Billboard and Variety that some of the members of the nomination committee have stepped up to the plate and opened up to the issue by admitting that there really was a lack of diversity in the nomination process. They also vowed to put diversity first as well as to strengthen their commitment to putting diversity first and increase the submissions of the Black community.

I have to say that this really is a very tremendous, earth-shaking endeavor, especially with the new Grammy leadership. I'm sure that they have been opening up about the issues surrounding diversity and it's interesting for me to see all the efforts being made to ensure such an incident will not be repeated and every voice can be heard.

Aside from the efforts mentioned earlier, I had been glad that I was a part of another efforts. This is from another organization called The Children's Music Network. It is fronted by Saul Paul and Wendy Morgan of the dynamic duo Wendy & DB, I found it very heartwarming that many kindie artists have openly admitted that they have been silenced by the Academy and are willing to start some actions on their own ends and also work together to fight systemic racism in the children's music industry, like at music festivals and at the level of education. I'm very glad to be a part of such efforts to change the industry and its approach on diverse works, despite that group being just a little small. I'm sure that the group is on track to getting some vital work done.

Independent pushes for diversity

There have been many collective efforts to dismantle systemic racism in kids music, and even high-ranking Grammy officials have taken notice. And many artists are admitting that they "are not given a platform" But if you look away from the efforts of FMF and the Recording Academy even for just a moment, you may be surprised to realize that there are small independent efforts to amplify all these unheard voices and give them a platform.

Uncle Devin's online radio station "WEE Nation Radio" was created to provide an outlet for BIPOC artists to be heard and amplified.

Photo: WEE Nation Radio on Facebook

One such example is well-known children's entertainer Devin Walker under his stage alias "Uncle Devin". After realizing that many kids radio stations tend to leave out funk, jazz, reggae and world music. With that in mind, he decided to start his own station, WEE Nation Radio.

WEE Nation has done a very great job in elevating all these artists that have been "silenced" by these big organizations. In addition, he also started a weekly show at WPFW FM 89.3 in Washington DC which airs selected artists from WEE Nation and even a podcast that with interviews and other special features. All these places mentioned above are very good places to start discovering amazing BIPOC artists and is a very good source for the finest in hip-hop, R&B, soul, and funk-inspired sounds that pushes the envelope of children's music.

I really look forward to the podcast and also the weekly radio show, as it means a trip to the "undiscovered side" of kids music. I also find it fun to hear the selections Uncle Devin makes every week, from modern favorites such as Pierce Freelon, SaulPaul, 123 Andres, Wendy & DB, and Flor Bromley to classics from Ella Fitzgerald and Ella Jenkins. And they are wonderful songs that parents can enjoy and will get you moving, learning new languages, but most of all, will give you a well-needed break from other "overplayed" songs like Baby Shark and Cocomelon, and so on. The song selection here has an amazing blend of upbeat world music for kids and families. Some touch upon issues like systemic racism, others give an uplifting message to the marginalized and discriminated sectors

The podcast is also where I get my cues for artists to watch out for and check out in the future. At the time of this writing, I had just listened to the latest episode featuring a rare interview with children's calypso pioneer Asheba, and I'm fascinated by the musical styles featured!

I really admire Uncle Devin's efforts in amplifying BIPOCs and making them stand out from all the other types of kids music out there. It certainly is helping so much in making these voices heard and allowing diverse voices to be heard!

If you are interested in learning more about this magnificent station, you can check it out here: https://www.weenationradio.com/ If you live in the US and Canada, you can also stream the station 24/7!

Living outside the US/Canada and feeling fascinated by my description of the station? Don't despair! You can check out the weekly show on demand here: https://www.weenationradio.com/wpfw and the podcast can be found here: https://www.weenationradio.com/podcast and you can subscribe on your preferred podcast app. Selected podcast episodes can be seen below. Also below are a few videos detailing the station's mission and vision.

Another example of a kindie radio program that provides a very diverse range of artists as its prime goal can be found in the tucked-away town of Asheville, North Carolina. That is where you'll find Sagan Thacker, who hosts the eclectic "Radio Active Kids" which airs over local community-based station Asheville FM and can also be heard as a podcast here.

In a virtual interview, Thacker said that "the show's approach is really to play everyone and the widest variety of musical styles, languages, and artists as possible". That approach holds true, especially in having the widest selections of artists from contemporary artists like Laurie Berkner, Doctor Noize, Lucy Kalantari, and some new and emerging names. Sagan claims that "the show is diverse in nature" and it "gives everyone a platform and expands a listener's mind".

(L to R, top to bottom) The Radio Active Kids lineup is "diverse in nature", offering new and emerging names like Ashley Mills Monaghan, Pierce and Stella Freelon and Marsha and the Positrons, mainstream favorites like The Laurie Berkner Band, and acts from further afield, such as Claudia Robin Gunn of New Zealand and The Vegetable Plot of Australia.

Photos from Facebook pages of artists mentioned above

That commitment holds true, as Sagan "is on the lookout for new artists from all over the world". I've been listening every week to Radio Active Kids, and I had noticed that the selections have spanned many styles and is packed with a potpourri of global kindie beats. It features a massive slew of underheard artists such as EVT Kids, out of Brooklyn, New York, specializing in bilingual music honoring their Latin heritage and identity. Another new artist I heard over the show was DJ WILLY WOW, who produces jumpy, uplifting, and kid friendly EDM anthems, as well as Wendy & DB and 123 Andres, plus a spattering of artists from New Zealand such as Claudia Robin Gunn, whose songs are quite beautiful, fleaBITE, who makes silly thetrical style anthems, as well as the cast album of "The Glitter Garden" which is the world's first drag musical aimed at families. Australia also beckons for amazing artists on the show, such as The Vegetable Plot, which to me, really dazzles, and it also calls for some Latin-inspired sounds from Mariano Pose of Argentina. It's also peppered with some of the hip-hop sounds of Pierce Freelon, SaulPaul, City Love, and Mista Cookie Jar, plus the jazzy anthems of Jazzy Ash and Lucy Kalantari, the 80s synth-pop motifs of The Pop Ups, the peppy poppy tunes of Twinkle Time, and the soothing voice of Elena Moon Park also makes for a good show.

And of course, no kid's radio program is complete without a spattering of the usual mainstream suspects Tim Kubart, Joanie Leeds, Justin Roberts, Andrew & Polly, The Okee Dokee Brothers, and the ever-beloved Laurie Berkner Band.

You see, Radio Active Kids has such a lineup that never fails to impress me every passing week, with all these non-mainstream artists heard. It's quite an amazing show and that's why I really look forward to hearing the show every week.

Want a taste of what to find on the show? This playlist can help!

And now, some final words

Yes, many BIPOCS did not reach the final list of Grammy nominations and the three nominees had decided to pull out as they know that many black artists would have deserved this honor. And it's a very nice thing to see that many people have realized that the problem can be reversed so that this unfortunate incident will never happen again and that equality will be prevalent, allowing all voices to be heard.

As you can see, children's music is not just about "rainbows and unicorns" but it can have the power to portray the experiences of various minorities and provide representation for them by way of music, as well as to provide kids with education on vital issues, such as equality, civics, and ethics.

Many of the artists who have been involved in this issue from day one had been seeking solutions to the perennial problems of systemic racism, not by risking their lives protesting in the streets, but by working with each other to see what they can do and how they can take action in kinder and more fruitful ways. That easily points out that community is very important, especially in the promotion of the genre and also uplifting voices of color and diversity as well as giving them a platform to share their music. And that to me, is what children's music really is about. Depending on who you talk to, it's not just about being recognized. Yes, it is a wonderful thing to be able to be recognized by big organizations such as the Recording Academy and whatnot, but what's more important is that they are able to find audiences that identify and relate to the music and that there is an audience willing to listen and spread the word about your work and there are also people that can help you get your music in more ears. And also if your songs are written from your heart and want to impart a message of kindness and goodwill, that is also a very admirable step.

As long as the artists come together, we really can heal the wounds of systemic racism and help find ways to uplift the lost voices in children's music.

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