{"id":87117,"date":"2024-06-19T11:18:29","date_gmt":"2024-06-19T09:18:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=87117"},"modified":"2024-06-19T11:18:35","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T09:18:35","slug":"the-wonderful-ghj-music-inspires-us-in-our-chat-about-welcome-here","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2024\/06\/the-wonderful-ghj-music-inspires-us-in-our-chat-about-welcome-here\/","title":{"rendered":"The Wonderful GHJ Music Inspires Us In Our Chat About ‘Welcome Here’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Following on from his glorious single, ‘Welcome Here<\/a>‘, GHJ Music speaks to us about his life, his inspirations, and the message he hopes listeners will take away from his music.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind ‘Welcome Here’?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Scott wrote this song in the aftermath of the George Floyd murder protests. There was so much worldwide shock and pain from that murder, that the post-protest time was one of trying to recover and heal. He and I wanted to capture that emotion of pulling people together, and uplifting people – something filled with hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What specific moments or feelings from your past influenced the song the most?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We would say overall it would be Bob Marley. His ability to bring a message through in such an inviting way was certainly what we were aiming at for Welcome Here. We think that\u2019s the genius of Marley – the way he constructed his songs made his message so inviting, so \u201cwelcoming\u201d to people!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What message do you hope listeners take away from ‘Welcome Here’?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Given the current social and political division here in the U.S., I hope that this song serves the purpose of being one of the many songs that call us back to unity and to a safe space. We need to be reminded about the strength of diversity and our obligation to treat others \u2013 especially those marginalized \u2013 the way we would want to be treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can you describe any memorable moments during the creation of ‘Welcome Here’?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While I was thrilled with the finished tracks contributed by Lucas Trigueiro on kora, Tito Monako on African bass, and Maciej Gi\u017cejewski on African percussions, the most memorable moment for Scott, the executive producer Michael Foley and me was the day of the video shoot for \u201cWelcome Here\u201d at the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center. What a high seeing LaQuet do their thing, together with the video crew. That was the reward for all our efforts and planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Are there any particular artists or songs that influenced ‘Welcome Here’?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We would say overall it would be Bob Marley. His ability to bring a message through in such an inviting way was certainly what we were aiming at for Welcome Here. I think that\u2019s the genius of Marley – the way he constructed his songs made his message so inviting, so \u201cwelcoming\u201d to people!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can you share some insights into the concept and creative direction behind the music video for ‘Welcome Here’?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I was inspired by watching a performance of the Dance Theater of Harlem and the way that they were able to tell a story through movement. This led us to collaborate with LaQuet Sharnell Pringle (they, them, their) to direct the music video and provide a choreography of lyrical dance movements. Scott and I entrusted our song to their creative direction.  We wanted a video that would convey the message of the song through dance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In what ways do you see your music evolving in the future based on your life experiences?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I\u2019d like to explore other genres such as Afrobeat fused with my gospel background. It would be cool to start a trend as a new music genre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What’s next for you after ‘Welcome Here’?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As far as my music production concerned, my focus will continue to be on showcasing the vocal talents of female music artists of color, conveying the lyrics and framework of Scott Free\u2019s song base. I have one of Scott\u2019s songs in mind that I would like to reimagine for a different audience. I\u2019ll reveal which one in due time. Wait for it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Watch the video for \u2018Welcome Here\u2019 below, and find out more about GHJ Music online on Instagram<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \"GHJ