Spotlight – GRAMMY Nominee Divinity Roxx

Welcome to the second installment of a series of posts putting the spotlight on the nominees for the 2023 GRAMMY award for Best Children’s Music Album. Today we are shining a light on Divinity Roxx and her first album for children, Ready, Set, Go! Divinity is an extraordinary bassist, composer, and performer. On Ready, Set, Go!, she created a collection of songs that empower children to  embrace who they are and to joyfully live and love everyone, everyday. Divinity’s driving beats grab you from the first notes of the title track and keep you moving and singing along from beginning to end. Divinity took some time out from her tour to share more about herself and Ready, Set, Go! with Kids Rhythm and Rock.

You have an incredible career entertaining adult audiences. What led you to create music for children?

I’ve always wanted to create music and books for children. In fact, I wrote my first children’s song early in my career (2003 I believe). The song was called “I Can Be Anything” and featured my 5-year-old cousin TJ and 8-year-old Goddaughter Alaysia rapping alongside me. They are now well into their 30’s. The company I was working with, Mee Wee, was an offshoot of the hip-hop label Rawkus. They ended up closing their doors, unfortunately, but the album is still on streaming services. I turned my attention back to recording and performing alternative hip-hop, progressive r&b, and soul music, and then ended up touring with the great Victor Wooten and eventually the incomparable Beyoncé. I always thought I’d eventually write for children again. During the pandemic, a peculiar series of circumstances led me to writing music for Scholastic. That evolved into two full picture books featuring my songs Happy and Healthy and Me+You, (available on Amazon), and that turned into a GRAMMY-nominated album, Ready Set Go!

Of all the nominees, you are the newest to the genre. What does it mean to you to receive a GRAMMY nomination for your first children’s music album?

The community of children’s music artists is a very special one and the entire community has embraced me and supported my music and message from day one. To be nominated for a GRAMMY on the first release is an honor and to be nominated for this album, in particular, is very special for me because out of all the records I’ve ever made, I am the proudest of this one for so many reasons. This record allowed me to return to why I started making music in the first place, to inspire people. I recorded it mostly in my home studio, sharing files over the internet with some of my favorite musicians who happen to be my friends, and with my wife who was locked in the house with me during the pandemic. This record brought us so much joy to create. We sang and laughed and jammed in my little home studio and created this music that has been impactful for so many in unimaginable ways. 

You are incredibly busy. What are some of the things you have coming up in 2023?

When you’re an independent artist and musician you have to stay busy so 2023 is a year filled with lots of projects near and dear to me. I’m working on a one-woman show called ‘Starchild-The Ballad of Debbie Walker’ which premiers at Cross Roads Theater in New Brunswick, NJ from May 27-June 4. I am planning to release a new EP for the play as well as a new children’s music album in the fall. I co-composed music with a good friend of mine, Eugene Russell IV, for a children’s play, The Boy Who Kissed The Sky written by Idris Goodwin which will premiere at The Alliance Theater in Atlanta (my hometown) from April 1-16. 

If there is anything you would like to share?

I have some live performances coming up that I’d like to share. I’ll be playing at The Kimmel Cultural Campus in Philadelphia on Saturday, February 25, and The Weis Center for The Performing Arts at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA on March 11. 

Please check out my websites, www.divinityroxx.com and www.diviroxxkids.com, and sign up for my email list to stay up-to-date on shows and performances that may be in your area. Also, give me a follow on IG @diviroxx/@diviroxxkids as well as YOUTUBE to watch the latest videos and bass lessons. 

In case you missed it, check out the Spotlight for fellow GRAMMY nominees Wendy & DB.

Best Children’s Album GRAMMY 2023 Nominees

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – the GRAMMY Award Nominations! The 65th annual GRAMMY award nominations were announced today. To be eligible for the award, a children’s album must contain at least 51% playing time of new musical or spoken word recordings that are created and intended specifically for children and released between October 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022. The depth and variety of children’s music this year was truly incredible. Congratulations to all of the nominees and to all the artists who created such amazing music this year. The GRAMMY Awards will be announced on Sunday, February 5.

Into the Little Blue House performed by Wendy & DB

Los Fabulosos performed by Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band

The Movement performed by Alphabet Rockers

Ready Set Go performed by Divinity Roxx

Space Cadet performed by Justin Roberts

2021 Children’s Music Roundup

Welcome to Kids Rhythm and Rock’s fourth annual Children’s Music Roundup! For those of you new to the blog, each year rather than doing a best of list, instead, I compile a list of my favorite albums.

2021 was an amazing year for children’s music with innumerable new artists making their way into the spotlight while more established acts continued to create incredible music and forged new musical partnerships with those they met along the way. Let’s say hello to 2022 by taking a look back at “the year that was” in children’s music. Don’t see your favorites listed below? Add them in the comments!

Be Mindful, Be Kind

Music to guide our everyday lives.

  • A Mind of Your Own performed by The Bright Siders
  • Maybe by Next Year performed by Kid Pan Alley
  • Frogs and Birds performed by Lindsay Munroe with Raffi
  • Yoga Dreamland performed by Putamayo

Beautiful Beats

Fun, fantastic tunes to brighten any day.

  • A Colorful World performed by Falu
  • You Are Magic performed by Allison Faith Levy
  • 28 Days performed by Little Miss Ann
  • Make it Happen! performed by Stacey Peasley
  • I Am performed by Shine and the Moonbeams

Potpourri

This was always my favorite Jeopardy! category. In this case, it’s a fun way to group the jazziest jazz, the quirkiest tunes, and songs on some popular topics together.

  • Seconds performed by Ben Tatar and the Tatar Tots
  • It’s for You performed by Flula Borg and Go Banana Go!
  • What Kind of World? performed by Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats
  • Planetary Promenade performed by Billy Kelly
  • From My Head to My Toes performed by Music with Mandy
  • Ponderosa Bunchgrass & the Golden Rule performed by The Oot N’ Oots

Regional Superstars You Should Know

It’s easy to forget that our talented local performers aren’t well known all across the country. Here’s some from the past year everyone should give a try.

  • All Together Now performed by Esther Crow (New York)
  • Music Makes Me Happy performed by Katie Dwyer (New York)
  • The Grumpytime Club performed by Carrie Ferguson (Massachusetts)
  • Sing Your Song Performed by The Harmonica Pocket (Washington)
  • All Together performed by Kathryn the Grape (California)

Rockin’ Rhythms

I dare you to try and sit still while listening to these albums!

  • Crayon Kids performed by Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band
  • Ready, Set, Go! performed by Divinity Roxx
  • Invisible performed by Father Goose
  • Family Tree performed by Fyütch
  • Slow Clap performed by Koo Koo Kangaroo

Unique Musical Stylings

There was nothing else quite like these albums this year.

  • Young Maestros, Vol. 1 performed by Tracy Bonham (these could be showtunes)
  • Black to the Future performed by Pierce Freelon (Afrofuturism)
  • Folk for Little Folk, Vol.1 performed by Gordie MacKeeman (award-winning fiddling)
  • Okay to Be Different performed by SaulPaul (rap)
  • The Beat Bach Symphonies performed by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo (rap with a symphony orchestra)
  • The Strawberry Band performed by The Story Pirates (music based on children’s stories)

Visiting with Old Friends

  • Let’s Go! performed by Laurie Berkner
  • Love Me for Who I Am: The Remix performed by Brady Rymer
  • Sharon, Lois & Bram Best of the Best Live performed by Sharon, Lois & Bram
  • We’re All Fruit Salad performed by The Wiggles



Wide World of Music

These albums feature music in Spanish, Spanish and English, and music from as far away as New Zealand.

  • Activate performed by 123 Andrés
  • Pachamama performed by Flor Bromley
  • Danilo & Chapis, Vol 1 performed by Danilo & Chapis
  • Esperanza performed by Sonia De Los Santos
  • Sing Through the Year performed by Claudia Robin Gunn
  • A Mi Me Gusta Ser Yo *It’s Ok To Be Me performed by Twinkle Time

With a Little Help From My Friends

2021 was a year of amazing partnerships and collaborations.

  • All One Tribe performed by 1 Tribe Collective
  • Let It Out! performed by Mil’s Trills
  • Let Love Be Your Guide performed by Dan & Claudia Zanes