Grammy-nominated recording artist Divinity Roxx celebrates her Grammy nomination for World Wide Playdate, a positive party album of ten original bops for kids twelve and under and for the kid in all of us. Three years after the release of her Grammy-nominated debut family album Ready Set Go!, Divinity is back to spread even more joy while amplifying the power of play.
Inspired by the music of her formative years, World Wide Playdate feels like a ’90s hip-hop classic, complete with timeless, catchy hooks, fun and vibrant lyrics, and beats that get you out of your seat. Affirmations and positive messages echo over groovy bass lines and provide the blueprints for being good to ourselves and others. The order of the day is to let loose and connect with hip-hop and pop singalongs that encourage us to engage with one another. The National Institute For Play says that “Play is part of the solution to our harried, anxiety-creating lives.” With themes that include friendship, family, self-empowerment, and bringing your dreams to life, World Wide Playdate provides the soundtrack to finding our happy place.
The playdate extended into the recording studio, where Divinity invited colleagues and friends from all over to collaborate. Notable features include Tarriona “Tank” Ball from Tank and the Bangas, Mumu Fresh, Divinity’s longtime mentor and 5-time Grammy award-winning bass virtuoso Victor Wooten, Malcolm Jamal Warner, and Nigerian-born artist Teemanay. The Atlanta-based Genesis Innovation Academy Cheer Team brought the energy on backing vocals, and her niece and goddaughter joined in the playdate as well. Divinity collaborated with producer Wayne Gerard (Don Was, Dr. Fink) to bring her vision to life. Then she linked with hit songwriter Mary Brown (Destiny’s Child, Mary J Blige, Michael Jackson) to co-write on the album and sing backing vocals. The three teamed up to produce the entire album, making for an unstoppable stream of back-to-back bangers that you can’t get out of your head.
Getting the party started is “Celebrate!”, a high-energy and mood-lifting song that reminds listeners to acknowledge themselves and those around them for accomplishments, big and small. “World Wide Playdate” arrives as a bass-driving dance track that personifies play, complete with the Divi Slide to keep the party going. Play helps build connections between people and is critical for cognitive and emotional development. This song opens the floor up for people to move and play together. “Happy Place” is a 12-bar groovy blues tune featuring Tank of Tank and the Bangas. Everybody needs a happy place to escape to, and this song helps listeners find theirs. “LOL Laugh Out Loud” is so full of giggles that you can’t help but smile too. “Make a Friend” encourages meeting new and interesting people, which helps expand our world and introduce new ideas and experiences. The song features a new friend, Teemany, and Divinity’s goddaughter and niece, who both join to talk about why they like making new friends.
“Girl Dad” is dedicated to Divinity’s late father, who taught her to practice, persist, and push to reach her goals. “Imma Force” bursts with self-confidence and empowerment, encouraging kids to think about what they are capable of in new ways. Mumu Fresh guests with her epic vocals and The Genesis Cheer Team chants along, supporting this powerful affirmation. “Bring It To Life” offers a sweet and reassuring motivational song about making your dreams your reality. The funky bass jam “Raise Me Up” honors those who help bring us up and the important lessons they impart on us to be our best versions of ourselves. Divinity’s longtime mentor and friend Victor Wooten and Grammy-winning poet Malcolm Jamal Warner are featured. Closing out the collection is the shimmy invoking “Shake It Down,” which teaches a new dance to wrap up the party on a high note.
The Grammy-nominated World Wide Playdate is streaming everywhere, and families are searching for great music. The songs were composed, produced, and performed by Divinity Roxx. The album was produced by Divinity Roxx, Wayne Gerard, and Mary Brown and mixed by Eric Racy (Katy Perry, Tyga), with album artwork by Steve Parke (Prince’s former photographer and art director).
WORLD WIDE PLAYDATE TRACKLISTING
1. Celebrate!
2. World Wide Playdate
3. Happy Place (feat Tarriona “Tank” Ball)
4. LOL Laugh Out Loud (feat Carrie Clark)
5. Make A Friend (feat Temanay)
6. Girl Dad (feat FYUTCH and Aura V)
7. Imma Force (feat Mumu Fresh)
8. Bring It To Life
9. Raise Me Up (feat Victor Wooten and Malcolm J Warner)
10. Shake It Down
