Today, Grammy Award-winning musician Robert Glasper celebrates the release of his new album Black Radio 2.
To spread the word on his new LP, he chit-chats with Essence on a range of topics including the concepts behind both Black Radio albums, what fans can expect from his new album, and if there will be a Black Radio 3.
ESSENCE: What’s the concept behind the Black Radio albums?
ROBERT GLASPER: A lot of music is crashing and burning around us. But I believe music will survive the fire, just like the black box on an airplane. Good music always prevails.
ESSENCE: What do you want listeners to get from this album?
GLASPER: I just want this record to be able to speak to each person however they need to be spoken to. Everybody’s going through something different in life and the good thing about doing a Black Radio album is that there are so many different vibes of songs, so there’s something for everybody on there. Like, if you’re going through relationship problems, then you’re going to listen to the Marsha Ambrosious joint or the Anthony Hamilton joint, you know? Or if you’re going through some problems with yourself, you’re going to listen to the Emeli Sande joint “Somebody Else.”
ESSENCE: Is there going to be a Black Radio 3?
GLASPER: I don’t know. I don’t want to get too corny with the numbers and stuff, like Rocky or something [laughs]. But, I do feel like Black Radio has become a brand and I do feel like it’s become an underground…well, not even underground anymore…it’s kind of like rising into the mainstream and becoming a machine. I don’t want to get rid of it [the concept], but I don’t know if I want to go “3, 4, 5, 6, 7” [with volumes], but maybe [I’ll] start using concept names or something like that.
Read the full interview here.
His new album Black Radio 2 is available in stores and online today. It features guest appearances from Jill Scott (“Calls”), Anthony Hamilton, Luke James and Emeli Sandé.
