Music

Billie Eilish Promises That ‘There Is Lots of Music Coming’

Billie Eilish has been teasing new music for a while and in an interview with The Cookout this week, the singer said she has a lot in store for for fans. “There is lots of music coming,” she said. “There is a whole album of music coming. We’re in the final stages of making it, so that doesn’t mean it’s about to come out, but it is getting there and it’s very exciting.”

Eilish did not reveal a possible release date or title for the follow-up to her 2021 Happier Than Ever album, while also tamping down speculation that she was working on another live documentary after host Eliott asked why she was spotted wearing a GoPro camera during a recent gig.

“I put a GoPro on, because after the shows I run out into the crowd and jump up on the barricade and grab everybody… really they grab me, and I just submit to it,” Eilish explained. “I just put myself there, whatever happens, happens. Whoever grabs what, I submit myself… I open my arms and just let them hug me and grab my arm and touch me. I just think it’s really special to do that and I get so much out of it even though it’s terrifying a little.”

Eilish also described writing the swoony Barbie song “What Was I Made For?” very quickly in the studio one day during a frustrating session where nothing was coming together for her and producer/co-writer brother Finneas. “I was literally leaving, I was walking out the door. It was late, I’d been there for six hours or something and Finneas was like, ‘hold on, should we try to write this song?’”

The singer said she demurred at first, arguing, “‘How are we going to write a song that’s good enough right now on a day that we suck for something so important?’” But then, the pair sat down and wrote almost the entire song in a few hours. “It’s insane? When does that ever happen?” she said.

Watch the Cookout interview below (new music talk begins at 5:30 point).



Drake Paid Tribute to Takeoff, Told Newlyweds He’d Fly Them to Honeymoon They Skipped to See Him

Back in November, Drake postponed planned dates at the Apollo Theater in order to mourn the loss of Migos rapper Takeoff. And on Monday night in Atlanta, Drizzy took a moment during his It’s All a Blur tour show at the State Farm Arena to honor Take (born Kirsnick Khari Ball) again near the one-year anniversary of the 28-year-old MC’s death on Nov. 1, 2022 after he was shot and killed outside a bowling alley in Houston.

“One of the first things I ever did in Atlanta was I hopped on the remix to this song called ‘Versace,’ right?” Drake said in fan footage of the moment posted by a fan. “I just wanted to say while I’m in here, rest in peace to our brother Takeoff. That’s one of my first brothers in Atlanta. That’s one of my first memories of Atlanta, is hopping on that song and Atlanta showing me love.”

Drake added his verse to the remix of Migos’ debut single in 2013, boosting the track to No. 99 on the Billboard Hot 100, kicking off a long association that included a reunion on the 2018 track “Walk It Talk It” and that year’s Aubrey & the Three Migos joint tour. Drake was also on hand at the Celebration of Life event at State Farm Arena for Takeoff on Nov. 11, 2022.

Monday’s show also featured another special moment. Saying he was really feeling the love from the ATL crowd, Drake noted in a video posted by the venue that one of his favorite places to visit in the world is the islands of Turks & Caicos in the Bahamas. “I’mma send ya’ll to Turks & Caicos,” Drizzy said to a newlywed couple after spotting the bride’s sign announcing that they’d cancelled their honeymoon to see the show.

See Drake’s tribute to Takeoff and his honeymoon promise below.

Rock Hall of Fame to Livestream Induction Ceremony for the First Time – Here’s Who’s Performing

For the first time ever, viewers will be able to watch a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony live without being there in the flesh. On Thursday (Sept. 28) morning, the Rock Hall announced that the 2023 ceremony will be streaming live on Disney+ at 8 p.m. ET when it takes over Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Nov. 3. In past years, an edited version of each Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony aired on HBO several weeks following the in-person event; now, that edited broadcast of highlights will air on ABC come Jan. 1, 2024, from 8-11 p.m. ET.

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That news also came with the first announcement of who we can expect to take the stage at the Class of 2023 induction. Of the new inductees, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, Chaka Khan and Willie Nelson have been revealed as performers at the Nov. 3 event. Additionally, special guests Brandi Carlile, Dave Matthews, H.E.R., Chris Stapleton, St. Vincent and New Edition will also take the stage.

The Class of 2023 also includes Kate Bush, the late George Michael, Rage Against the Machine and The Spinners in the performers category. Additionally, DJ Kool Herc, Link Wray, Al Kooper, Bernie Taupin and Don Cornelius will be inducted.

“This historic live stream on Disney+ and special on ABC is a testament to the diverse sounds and enduring power of rock and roll,” said John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, in a press release. “Over the last three decades, the annual live Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction has become music’s highest honor, celebrating the artists who’ve defined generations and changed music forever.”

This year will mark the first induction ceremony since Rock Hall co-founder Jann Wenner was removed from the foundation’s board of directors by a near-unanimous vote. The Rolling Stone founder was widely lambasted following an interview with The New York Times about his book The Masters, which didn’t include interviews with women or Black artists. When pressed on this by the Times, he replied that women were not “as articulate enough on this intellectual level” about rock music and added that Black artists “just didn’t articulate at that level.” Since then, Wenner apologized in a statement, saying, “In my interview with The New York Times, I made comments that diminished the contributions, genius, and impact of Black and women artists and I apologize wholeheartedly for those remarks.”

Stephen Curry to Produce Upcoming Documentary on Bay Area Rap Legend Mac Dre: Exclusive

Besides flexing his creativity on the hardwood, NBA marksman Stephen Curry is quickly etching a lane for himself on the film side alongside his Unanimous Media co-founder Erick Peyton. Next up, the duo are producing an upcoming documentary on the Bay Area legend Mac Dre. 

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Dre, 34, was an instrumental figure in the Hyphy movement in the early 2000s and helped usher in the hip-hop subgenre before being killed in 2004. Dre, born Andre Hicks, was involved in a shooting in Kansas City where a vehicle pulled up on the side of his van and began firing. Dre’s mother, Wanda Salvatto, looks to explore the legacy of her son and his impact on the Bay Area before his untimely demise in the film.

“I look forward to sharing how from Andre’s dreams of rapping emerged a blueprint that not only inspired a generation but also became a guide to conquering obstacles and fulfilling their entrepreneurial dreams,” Salvatto tells Billboard. Some of Dre’s biggest songs included “Feelin Myself,” “Get Stupid,” and “Make You Mine,” and artists such as Wiz Khalifa and Warren G have sung Dre’s praises and hyped his impact on the culture. 

Unanimous Media will partner with Salvatto on the forthcoming endeavor. “Mac Dre is a cultural icon who made a tremendous impact on the Bay Area and beyond through his music and pioneering creativity,” Peyton and Curry tell Billboard. “We’re honored to work with Mac Dre’s incredible mother, Wanda, to tell her son’s life story with respect and dignity for fans, the Bay Area community, and music lovers alike.” 

Along with co-producers Curry and Peyton, Brian Testuro Ivie of Unanimous Media will be helming the project as executive producer. 

The Kid LAROI Serves up New McDonald’s Collaboration

On his fast-track to the top, the Kid LAROI cut tracks with Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Lil Durk and his late bestie Juice WRLD. His latest collaboration sees the Australian singer and rapper step out with McDonald’s.

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Through a new partnership unveiled this week, LAROI launches the McCrispy chicken burger across the fast-food chain’s Australian outlets.

It’s the second time flipping McDonald’s burgers for Laroi, who stars in a new nationwide campaign, which includes “The Next Big Thing” TVCs  and behind-the-scenes social clips. Last year, the Kid and Macca’s teamed up for Australia’s first local “Famous Order” campaign. 

“I love a good chicken burger and am a huge Macca’s fan,” he comments in a statement, “so when I found out McDonald’s was launching its best chicken burger yet, I had to get involved.”

Though based in Los Angeles, the 20-year-old LAROI (real name Charlton Howard) is one of Australia’s favorite homegrown artists.

As a teen, LAROI led the Billboard 200 with F*ck Love, and ruled the Billboard Hot 100 with “Stay,” his global hit with Bieber. The Sydney-raised artist also hit No. 1 on the singles and albums charts in his homeland, smashing records along the way.

He returned to Australia in May and June 2022 for the End of the World Tour, which stopped at arenas and outdoor spaces across the country. And he can add to his growing collection of industry honors at the 2023 ARIA Awards this November, where he nabs nominations for best solo artist and song of the year for “Love Again” (Columbia/Sony Music).

LAROI gives a push to the McCrispy, which is now installed in the restaurant’s permanent menu next to the Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Cheeseburger and Fillet-O-Fish.  

According to reps, the burger, filled with 100% Aussie RSPCA-approved crispy chicken breast, shredded iceberg and cos lettuce, tomato, Aussie Jack cheese and a new signature sauce, served in a soft glazed bun, has already “performed exceptionally” across other markets including the U.S., U.K., Sweden, France and Spain.

Vanessa Amorosi, Tones And I, Kate Ceberano Win Big at 2023 AWMA

Singers Vanessa Amorosi, Toni Watson, and Kate Ceberano were in the winner’s circle Wednesday night (Sept. 27) at the 2023 Australian Women In Music Awards (AWMA), held in Brisbane.

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Amorosi, who has lived in Los Angeles for the past 13 years, returned to home soil for this year’s event, at which she performed a new work from her forthcoming eighth album, Memphis Love, slated for release Nov. 17, and collected the inspiration award.

Meanwhile, Watson, the one-time busker who led the charts in 30 countries with “Dance Monkey,” recognized as one of the five most-streamed songs on Spotify (with 2.9 billion plays), scored the songwriter award. Watson solely wrote “Dance Monkey,” and is currently abroad working on her sophomore album, expected to drop in 2024.

“I genuinely think Australia has some of the best songwriters in the world,” she said via a pre-taped acceptance speech. “We write some of the best music with integrity and a lot of heart. I say that wherever I go.” There are “more women coming out and expressing themselves, we’ve got so many amazing artists coming up, so many exciting female coming out of the Australia music industry. It’s truly an honor to be someone helping pave the way.”

Established in 2018, AWMA shines a light on accomplishments of women across all areas of Australia’s music industry.

Other winners at The Tivoli included Vika & Linda (artistic excellence), Ashli (emerging artist), and soul singer Renee Geyer was posthumously inducted into the AWMA Honour Roll, alongside Judy Stone.

In a first, all three nominees for the lifetime achievement award went home with the prize, presented to a female artist or musician who has made an outstanding artistic contribution to the field of recording and/or live performance during her lifetime. Ceberano, Clare Moore and Jeannie Lewis jointly accepted the honor.

“I’ve been up for many awards in my life, and I’ve never really gotten any of them. I couldn’t be more proud,” remarked Ceberano, a legend in these parts who has been at the top of the game since the 1980s, initially as a singer with The Models and I’m Talking, before embarking on a successful solo career.

The triumvirate on stage, she quipped, were the “last of the Mohicans,” and “of a generation, it seems, that came through before social media and we weren’t being watched while we were doing what we were doing. And we still did it.”

During proceedings, Tony Burke MP, minister for the arts, made a pledge to support the AWMA’s cause. “I’ve never understood why so much in the system has made it so hard,” he explained in a pre-recorded bit. “I want to make sure that your careers are just as easy to prosper as it is for men in the industry. I don’t know why its harder to get radio play, why its hard to get festival lineups, I don’t know why its been harder for fundamentals, like just having a safe workplace. But I want you to know you have a government determined to fix this,” he said, pointing to the creation of Creative Australia, formed through the National Cultural Policy.

Organizers handed out 23 AWMAS to some of the industry’s “most accomplished and emerging female artists, musicians and music practitioners,” with winners decided by a 37-member music industry panel.

The AWMA caps a two-day conference and live music program, and is supported by the Queensland government.

“AWMA is calling on the industry to adopt gender equality as a core music industry value as a matter of priority, significant policy change needs to occur at both state and federal level to ensure women form an equitable part of the industry,” comments AWMA executive producer and program director Vicki Gordon. “Gender bias can only be addressed by prioritizing inclusivity and representation as core music values.”

Performers included Dami Im, Vika & Linda, Hot Brown Honey, and an all-star rendition of AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll),” featuring Amorosi and the Bull sisters on lead vocals, and Sarah McLeod on lead guitar.

Check out all the AWMAs winners.

2023 Australian Women in Music Awards winners:

Studio Production
Robyn Lee Payne

Artistic Excellence
Vika & Linda

Diversity in Music
Cerisa Benjamin

Music Journalist
Jane Gazzo

Excellence in Classical Music
Celia Craig

Emerging Artist
Ashli

Creative Leadership
Claire Edwardes

Inaugural ARIA Executive Leader Game Changer
Emily Collins

Inaugural Women in Heavy Music
Emmy Mack

Lifetime Achievement
Kate Ceberano
Clare Moore
Jeannie Lewis

Tina Arena Special Impact
Oana Gilbert (posthumous)

Honour Roll
Judy Stone
Renée Geyer (posthumous)

Music Leadership
Marianna Annas

Filmmaker
Triana Hernandez

Live Production Touring
Jenny Moon

Live Creative Production
Naomi Price

Music Photographer
Mia Mala McDonald

Humanitarian
Alison Hams

Songwriter
Toni Watson (Tones & I)

Inspiration Award
Vanessa Amorosi

Jet Forges ‘Landmark’ Deal With BMG

SYDNEY, Australia – As Jet flies through a particularly busy stretch, the reunited rock band strikes a catalog deal with BMG.

Terms were not disclosed in the arrangement, announced Thursday (Sept. 28), which sees BMG acquire Jet’s recordings.

BMG gets rights to the band’s first two albums for Australian and New Zealand, Get Born (2003) and Shine On (2006), the global royalty stream for these recordings in perpetuity, plus global rights to their third album Shaka Rock (2009).

Included in the pact are such Billboard Hot 100 hits as “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” (peaking at No. 29), “Look What You’ve Done” (No. 37), and “Cold Hard Bitch” (No. 55).

After years on the sidelines, the classic lineup of Nic Cester (vocals/guitar) his brother Chris Cester (vocals/drums), Cam Muncey (vocals/guitar) and Mark Wilson (bass) recently reformed ahead of their induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame, set for Nov. 15 during the annual ARIA Awards in Sydney.

They’re currently on the road for a national tour, a 20th anniversary celebration of Get Born, an album that won six ARIA Awards back in 2004, is nine-times platinum-certified, and recognized as one of the top 5 highest-selling Australian rock albums of all time.

BMG president, Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia, Heath Johns negotiated what he describes as a landmark deal,” extending the global publishing pact between both parties, forged in 2017.

Jet, he continues, are a “generation-defining band who achieved global success of the rarest kind.”

All three studio albums impacted the top 40 on the Billboard 200 chart, and cracked the Official U.K. Albums Chart, with Get Born peaking at No. 14 and Shine On going one better, at No. 13. Career sales top 5 million, reps say.

Jet’s works have enjoyed a second life through syncs across international advertising campaigns, feature films, TV series and video game franchises, the most memorable an Apple iPod campaign in the 2000s featuring “Are You Gonna Be My Girl.”

BMG, explains Sydney-based Johns, “has become the fastest-growing music company in Australia via our organic recordings and publishing growth and now, as we expand our scope via acquisition, I can think of no bigger statement than the acquisition of the Jet catalog.”

Since opening for business in Australia in 2016, BMG has signed a roster of Australian and New Zealand acts including Chet Faker, Angus & Julia Stone (ANZ), Daniel Johns, Dope Lemon, Hockey Dad, Julia Stone, The Living End, Pacific Avenue, Ladyhawke, CHAII, Dune Rats and Winston Surfshirt.

“With big decisions like this it comes down to personal relationships. We’ve known the BMG team for years,” notes Chris Cester in a statement announcing the new agreement. “We’re already with BMG for our publishing and they do what they say they’re gonna do. That’s a rare thing in this business. Sooner or later you figure out that’s the only thing that matters, if you’re serious about what you do.”

Luck Ra & BM’s ‘La Morocha’ Adds Second Week Atop Billboard Argentina Hot 100

Luck Ra and BM’s “La Morocha” adds a second week at No. 1 on the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart (dated Sept. 30). The song bests Luck Ra’s previous one-week champ, “Ya No Vuelvas,” featuring La K’onga and Ke Personajes, in February.

LIT Killah, Tiago Pzk, Maria Becerra, Duki, Emilia, Rusherking, Big One and Fmk’s “Los Del Espacio” rebounds to No. 2 from No. 4. The former seven-week leader pushes Myke Towers’ “Lala” 2-3.

The Greatest Gainer honors of the week goes to Argentinian Mesita, as his latest “Una Foto” rises 35 places, from No. 71 to No. 36.

Meanwhile, Nathy Peluso and Tiago PZK score the Hot Shot Debut of the week with “Ella Tiene,” at No. 66. The bachata team-up is the first entry for the singer-songwriter, after she secured a No. 62 high through “Esta Buenísimo” in Dec. 2022.

Further, Elaggume, Fauna Music, and Eme Saray claim their first entry with the Alejo Isakk and Locura Mix collab “Con Tu Amiga,” at No. 78. Plus, Chencho Corleone, Brray and Anuel AA’s “Corazón Roto Pt. 3” opens at No. 82.

Lastly, two more songs join the ranking: El Negro Tecla’s “Ahi Ahi,” at No. 91 and Nahuel Pennisi & Luciano Pereyra’s “Regresa” at No. 96.



Chencho Corleone Scores First Solo No. 1 on Latin Airplay With ‘Un Cigarrillo’

Chencho Corleone earns his first solo No. 1 (without any other acts) on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart as “Un Cigarrillo” rises 3-1 to lead the chart dated Sept. 30. The Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and producer adds a fourth champ to his Latin Airplay chart career.

“Un Cigarrillo” puffs its way to No. 1 after 18 weeks on the list with a 10% gain in audience impressions, to 8.9 million, earned in the U.S. during the tracking week ending Sept. 21, according to Luminate.

The song was released May 4 via Cerco/Sony Music Latin. It’s Corleone’s first official release after he signed a global record deal with the major label earlier in the year. As for the Cerco label, “Un Cigarrillo” is its first No. 1 on any Billboard chart.

“Un Cigarrillo” gives Corleone his fourth leader on the overall Latin Airplay ranking. He claimed his first No. 1 in July 2022 through his co-billed Rauw Alejandro collaboration “Desesperados.” Corleone returned to the penthouse with another co-billed collab, “Me Porto Bonito,” with Bad Bunny, in August 2022, which also gifted him his only No. 1 on Hot Latin Songs (20 weeks in charge). His Don Omar collab “Podemos Repetirlo” followed (one week, Sept. 16-dated list).

Elsewhere, “Un Cigarrillo” jumps 2-1 on Latin Rhythm Airplay, his fifth champ there. Over on the multimetric Hot Latin Songs, which blends airplay, digital sales and streaming activity, the song rebounds from No. 49 to its No. 47 high.



Usher Returns to the Top 10 After Over a Decade: Elsewhere on the Latin charts, Usher is back on the top 10 on Latin Rhythm Airplay after a decade, thanks to “Dientes,” his co-billed collab with J Balvin and DJ Khaled, as the song starts at No. 8 with 5.32 million audience impressions earned during its first tracking week ending Sept. 30.

With “Dientes,” Usher returns to the upper region after “DJ Got Us Falling In Love,” featuring Pitbull, took him to a No. 3 high in November 2010. Among his seven chart appearances, “Dientes” becomes his second collab with a Latin artist and the only bilingual team-up.

DJ Khaled, meanwhile, captures his second top 10, after “Borracho,” with Sech, peaked at No. 8 in 2022.

Further, as “Dientes” debuts at No. 8, J Balvin collects a 47th top 10 hit. He continues to have the second-most top 10s on Latin Rhythm Airplay, trailing only Daddy Yankee’s 67.

Global Music Diplomacy Initiative Unveiled at State Department Event in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken launched the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative on Wednesday (Sept. 27), a worldwide effort to elevate music as a diplomatic tool to promote peace and democracy. 

The launch event was held at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. Secretary Blinken was joined by Harvey Mason, Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy; Lyor Cohen, global head of music for YouTube and Google; and David M. Rubenstein, chairman of the board at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The event featured live performances by Jamie Barton, GAYLE, Dave Grohl, Mickey Guyton, Herbie Hancock, Christopher Jackson, LADAMA, Aimee Mann, Rakim, Armani White and DJ 2-Tone as well as a video message from Bono.  

In addition, Mason and Secretary Blinken awarded Quincy Jones the first-ever Peace through Music Award. The award, a collaboration between the Department and the Academy, recognizes an American music industry professional, artist or group who has played a key role in cross-cultural exchanges and whose music work advances peace and mutual understanding globally.

Jones has won 28 Grammy Awards, the third highest tally of all-time behind Beyoncé and classical conductor Sir Georg Solti. In addition, he has received several high-profile honors from the Recording Academy: a trustees award in 1989, the Grammy Legends Award in 1991 and MusiCares’ Person of the Year award in 1996. His non-Grammy honors include the Jean Hersholt Award from the Motion Picture Academy in 1994 and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2001.

The event culminated with several announcements that, it is hoped, will shape the future of music diplomacy, ranging from public-private partnerships with American music industry leaders to educational opportunities for youth globally.

The Global Music Diplomacy Initiative builds on the bipartisan PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law last year. It will augment current U.S. efforts that consist of various public diplomacy exchange programs using music as a diplomatic tool, including American Music Abroad, Arts Envoy, Center Stage, Next Level and OneBeat.

Several of the initiatives announced on Wednesday were collaborations with The Recording Academy. “From advocating for the Peace Through Music Diplomacy Act in 2022, to partnering with the U.S. State Department on the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, the Academy firmly believes that music’s transformative power can be a global force for good,” Mason said in a statement. “We’re honored to begin our work with the State Department to promote peace and cross-cultural understanding through music while continuing our mission to lift up music people around the globe.”

“Music reminds us that we have more in common than what separates us,” Cohen added. “It heals us. It unites us. It gets us hyped. … For centuries, music has helped fuel important social and cultural movements. Artists like Aretha Franklin, John Lennon, Kendrick Lamar, and so many more have written songs that bring people together to create understanding and drive peace. This initiative creates a new avenue for us to raise their voices and drive global music diplomacy forward; breaking down cultural barriers and fostering peace through music.”

The Global Music Diplomacy Initiative launch announcements include:

American Music Mentorship Program

This program, a partnership between the U.S. Department of State and The Recording Academy, will bring international mid-career music industry professionals, who may include musical artists, to the United States for mentorship and networking opportunities. The first program will be held in the fall of 2024.

The initiative was developed pursuant to the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act, which was championed by The Recording Academy in 2022 at Grammys on the Hill and during the annual grassroots District Advocate Day. The legislation was passed into law in December 2022.

Fulbright-Kennedy Center Visiting Scholar Award in Arts and Science

The Fulbright Program, the United States’ flagship international academic exchange program, will collaborate with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to create a new fellowship opportunity for foreign scholars. The new Fulbright-Kennedy Center Visiting Scholar Award in Arts and Science will focus on the intersection of the arts and science, including how the arts can contribute to individual and global health and well-being and the environment. An award competition will be announced this fall, and the Kennedy Center will host the first scholar in academic year 2024-25. 

Boosting English-Language Learning Through Music

Recognizing the strategic importance of English-language learning overseas, especially for youth and underserved communities, the Department will incorporate music into its existing $40 million investment in English-language learning worldwide to provide access to English-learning classes for promising students between the ages of 13 and 20.

The Department will augment broader global English-language learning by supporting Sing Out Loud, a program that provides resources for teaching English through music in collaboration with American Music Abroad, bringing music and lyrics into classrooms across the world.

In addition to the Secretary’s announcements, the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative will include programming around the world, including:

Arts Envoys to Travel to the Middle East, People’s Republic of China

Hancock, along with Dee Dee Bridgewater and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Ensemble at UCLA, will perform in Jordan in October to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1963 Jazz Ambassador tour of the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Hancock’s tour will then travel to Saudi Arabia for a four-day Arts Envoy program, the first of its kind between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

From Nov. 9-18, The Philadelphia Orchestra is slated to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its historic 1973 tour of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) with ensemble performances and residency activities in multiple cities in the PRC.

Ten American Bands to Travel to 30 Countries Through American Music Abroad

Representing various genres, Birckhead, The Beatbox House, The Invisibles, Marielle Kraft, Matthew Whitaker, Pipeline Vocal Project, Raining Jane, Sihasin, Sub-Radio and Tap Music Project will travel to 30 countries from October through June 2024.

In November, the 2023 American Music Abroad Academy Cleveland will bring together young professional musicians from the Ukrainian diaspora and around the world for collaboration with and mentorship opportunities from American instructors with a focus on cultural preservation through music.

Next Level to Use Hip-Hop in Nigeria, Bring International Artists to the United States

In September, four U.S. hip-hop artists focusing on conflict transformation will travel to Lagos, Nigeria for a two-week Next Level Academy. In addition, 10 international participants will travel to Washington, D.C., and New York for a two-week professional development program on conflict transformation through hip-hop.

Scaling Social Entrepreneurship Projects, Strengthening Creative Economy Through OneBeat

From Nov. 6-20, musicians from Ghana and Nigeria will come together to collaboratively create and discuss how music can bring people together through social entrepreneurship projects as part of the OneBeat program.

Harmundi International Music Summit to Welcome Students from Every Continent

Virtually connecting more than 60 international students from every continent through music, the Harmundi Summit will provide intense music training, cross-cultural collaboration, studio recordins and live performances under the mentorship of world-class musicians and producers. The Summit, which will take place Nov. 3-5, will be led by alumni of the Department’s exchanges and is part of the Department’s Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund. This fund provides grants of up to $10,000 for public service projects that utilize the skills, knowledge and networks exchange alumni gained through their exchange experiences.