It's not easy to "go viral" in today's social media ecosystem, but operatic baritone Babatunde Akinboboye managed to do it by fusing Kendrick Lamar and Rossini! He talks with Garrett about this, life between Nigeria and the US, his aspirations for the opera industry, and the people who are standing in the way of progress for Black operatic professionals. Scott highlights a violin concerto by Wynton Marsalis, and helps Garrett unpack news from the Baltimore Symphony, the Juneteenth weekend, and shifting the rules surrounding philanthropic giving.

Playlist:

Trevor Weston - "Ashes"

William Grant Still - Suite for Violin and Piano, "African Dancer" (feat. Randall Goosby: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzraRg0ZKcU)

Ma Rainey/Branford Marsalis - "Deep Moaning Blues"

Nina Simone - "Baltimore"

Kendrick Lamar - "Freedom"

Wynton Marsalis - Violin Concerto in D, "Hootenanny"

Babatunde Akinboboye - Kendrick Lamar/Rossini Fusion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F07VAXKXGWE&t=48s)

Robert Townsend/Michael Elliot - "Carmen, A Hip Hopera" (Seduction Scene)

More:

Downbeat (from "Trick Baby" 1974): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pQ-YPjasGc

Babatunde Akinboboye: https://www.babatundebaritone.com

Schubert Club "Music Museum Mini" feat. Garrett McQueen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfggnj-FbpQ&t=143s

Adrian Dunn & the RIZE Orchestra, "Redemption": https://virtualstage.harristheaterchicago.org/video/redemption

Emerging Black Composers Project Names Its First Winner: https://www.sfcv.org/articles/music-news/emerging-black-composers-project-names-its-first-winner

Spotify Clinches $60M-Plus Deal With Alex Cooper: https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/spotify-call-her-daddy-alex-cooper-exclusive-1234996840/

Marin Alsop Exits With Pride: https://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/music/bs-fe-alsop-departure-20210611-3ytmm3fjqjg7pkawntxunaiuxi-story.html