The New School News

Jazz Alumnus Robert Glasper Takes Home a Grammy


Step aside Justin Timberlake (though we did enjoy your musical comeback)—it’s Robert Glasper that has a lot to smile about these days. After snagging eight awards in July for Downbeat magazine’s 60th annual Critics Poll, the jazz pianist and New School alumnus reached the pinnacle of musical success when he took home the prize for R&B album at the 55th Grammy Awards on Sunday.  With a mixture of sounds influenced by hip hop, funk, and Glasper’s classic jazz R&B style, “Black Radio” reaches audiences with a wide range of tastes and preferences. A slew of guest appearances, including Erykah Badu, Musiq Soulchild, Meshell Ndegeocello, Bilal, Lalah Hathaway, Ledisi, Yasmin Bey (a.k.a. Mos Def) and Lupe Fiasco, round out the album, which debuted at number 15 on the Billboard pop chart.

In an article in the LA Times, Glasper commented on the album’s mashup of R&B rhythm with his already critically acclaimed jazz notes by saying that “this is what jazz sounds like now.” “Black Radio” was nominated for two R&B categories, alongside artists R. Kelly, Tyrese, and Tamia. 13,000 voting members selected Grammy winners for recordings produced between October 2011 and September 2012.  Read more about Robert Glasper’s win here.

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