Two fresh new songs from two awesome artists!
This last month or so, there have been two fresh new releases in the children's music space and they have seemed to stand out from the rest of the others in terms of themes and artstry.
One reflects on the fun of the super-cold winter times and another is about how important it is to build communities and celebrating what makes you unique. Both come from Filipino-American kindie artists, Little Miss Ann and Mista Cookie Jar.
After having a very prolific 2020, these two artists are rockin' into '21 with some fresh new tracks for February.
Bright Winter Day
(Little Miss Ann feat. Frances England)
LEFT: Little Miss Ann along with her other kindie friends, Marsha of Marsha and the Positrons and Wendy of Wendy and DB.
RIGHT: Frances England has made uplifting and soulful kindie music and her "Explorer of the World" album garnered her a Grammy nomination in 2017.
Photo courtesy of Facebook page of artist mentioned above.
Little Miss Ann had a wonderful new song last Christmas called "Stars on the Island" and has won me over with its portrayal of Filipino holiday traditions and giving representation for Filipinos in the kindie field.
Now though, it seems as if she's at it again, and she called upon fellow artist and Grammy nominee Frances England to make a song about the joys and fun of winter. It is for Ann's future album coming later this spring.
In this song, Ann and Frances perfectly describe the wonders of being encapsulated at home during the very cold winter months. It shows that there are many possibilities that await when you're stuck and confined to your home and all the company with family that can await you when you spend more time inside.
As a line in the song goes: "I'm so happy to have you here", and in this case, I'm so happy that Little Miss Ann has made another cool and wonderful song that is imaginative and uplifiting.
Black Sheep Club
(Mista Cookie Jar)
After a series of big exciting hits in 2020, Mista Cookie Jar brings that energy into 2021 with his new track "Black Sheep Club"
Photo courtesy of Facebook page of artist mentioned above.
Filipino-American kids hip-hop act Mista Cookie Jar has has a very awesome 2020 behind him, that as he had a string of singles, among them namely "Kindness is the Way" and "Just Another Finger". Both songs are groovy, fun, and inspiring. Not to mention, he put together all his great works in the past two years in a powerful album, "Don't Gotta Be Cool" including other fun songs including two cool collabs, "Halo-Halo" feat. Little Miss Ann and "Rock This World" feat. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo.
This time, he had another great song, "Black Sheep Club", which I heard for the very first time on the Twinkle Time Top 20 Countdown on JUMP 105.3 Pittsburgh. (It's a fun show, btw and it's filled with acts from around the world. You can listen on-demand on her Soundcloud.)
The themes here in this song are quite resonant, especially with things like Black Lives Matter and the discrimination against Black and Brown voices. It tackles being able to stand out and celebrate the things that make you unique and special, and the importance of community support, as this song is about a black sheep that was rejected by all the other sheep, but had to start a community of his own to uplift his fellow black sheep. That too seems to be a great homage to how the children's music community have also done the same to provide venues and mediums for BIPOC voices to be heard.
Mista Cookie Jar is quite genius when it comes to his songwriting and musical styles, and his genius shows off once again, with cool grooves, funky vibes, and a joke or two. I laughed when he put in a reference to popular K-pop girl group BlackPink by saying "Black sheep in your area!" That sure had me LOL-ing when I heard it!
This is such an inspiring and get-happy tune. I'm sure you'll enjoy and it will leave you thinking.
