Black Radio III

Robert Glasper Sells Out Chris Brown-Inspired T-Shirts

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If you give Robert Glasper lemons, he’ll make a lemonade stand. The acclaimed artist earned his fifth Grammy during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. But it wasn’t just his win that spread his name across the internet. Glasper received attention after fellow nominee for the ‘Best R&B Album’ award Chris Brown made a fuss about his loss. As per usual, Brown took to his Instagram story to express his feelings. According to Complex, Brown’s dissed the winner by writing “who the fuck is Robert Glasper?” and “I’ma keep kicking y’all ass respectfully.”

Glasper didn’t let Brown’s tantrum hinder his celebrations. In fact, the Grammy winner ended up capitalizing on the shady remarks. He ended up creating a “who the fuck is Robert Glasper” t-shirt that emphasizes Brown’s question. Within just 5 days of its presale, Glasper has proudly announced that the shirts have sold out. Allegedly, Glasper had already played around with the phrase before the Grammy’s had occurred, posting a teaser picture on January 30th. It’s likely that Glasper received his initial inspiration from the 1975 “Who The Fuck Is Mick Jagger” shirt made famous by the Rolling Stones. But, Brown’s hissy fit sure did help make this shirt even more iconic.

Robert Glasper Responds

The few folks that were able to buy a shirt before it sold out are holding a piece of history. Glasper’s response to the sales is grateful, and he took to instagram to announce the charitable cause that he plans on contributing to. He wrote, “a portion of the proceeds from this shirt will be donated to the Community Music Center of New Orleans. A nonprofit created to share the music culture and music education in New Orleans, providing free music lessons to underserved youth. I can’t thank y’all enough for supporting this cause.”

Although Brown has since apologized for his disrespectful remarks, nothing changes Glasper’s win. Black Radio III is soulful mix of jazz and r&b. Additionally, features artists like BJ the Chicago Kid, Jennifer Hudson, and Ty Dolla $ign. According to Complex, Glasper is booked to be the artist in residence at the Blue Note Jazz Festival this July.

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Robert Glasper Acknowledged Chris Brown Getting Big Mad After Glasper Won A Grammy Over Him

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Robert Glasper 2023 Grammys
Getty Image

In the Best R&B Album category at the 2023 Grammy Awards last night (February 5), Robert Glasper won for Black Radio III. One of the albums he beat for the award is Chris Brown’s Breezy (Deluxe), and Brown made it clear he wasn’t happy about the loss. In the first of a string of social media posts about it last night, Brown wrote, “Bro who the f*ck is this? Yall playing [crying laughing emojis] who da f*ck is this?”

Since then, Glasper has offered a subtle reaction to Brown.

Glasper hasn’t directly respond to Brown’s posts, but he did acknowledge he’s at least aware of them via a retweet. A Twitter user shared an XXL tweet about a news post covering the situation, reading, “JUST IN: Chris Brown asks ‘Who the f**k is Robert Glasper’ after Robert beats Chris for Best R&B Album at 2023 Grammy Awards #GRAMMYs: ‘BRO WHO THE F**K IS THIS?’” In the Glasper-retweeted post, the user added, “Ha congratulations to my mf cousin @robertglasper y’all better do a lil research around here …”

As for what the user meant by that part about research, they’re presumably referring to Glasper’s recent self-deprecating social media post of a graphic that reads, “Who the f*ck is Robert Glasper.” On Instagram, Glasper wrote, “It’s been brought to my attention that y’all have questions about Who TF is Robert Glasper! If y’all have questions, I have answers. Check out my stories to play along!”

Find the full list of this year’s Grammy nominees and winners here.

Robert Glasper’s ‘Tonight Show’ Performance Included Guests Rapsody And DJ Jazzy Jeff

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After announcing the release date for his upcoming album, Black Radio III, and sharing its latest single, “Black Superhero,” Robert Glasper brought the new music to a national television audience with a star-studded appearance on The Tonight Show. Playing a medley of “In Tune” and “Black Superhero” (minus Big KRIT and Killer Mike, two of the three featured guests on the latter), Glasper invited guests Amir Sulaiman, BJ the Chicago Kid, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Rapsody to perform with him.

After Sulaiman opens the set with a passionate spoken-word piece, BJ joins in to sing his verse and the chorus from “Black Superhero,” and Rapsody shows up to add her own verse to the song in place of the missing KRIT and Mike, all while DJ Jazzy Jeff adds his signature scratches and Glasper tickles the ivories. “All my superheroes Black,” Rapsody rhymes as she and BJ bop to the bluesy piano riff and old-school beatbox vibes. It’s a cool rendition of the new track, and should Black Radio III continue the trend that most of Glasper’s music has stuck to, it’ll be a shoo-in for another Progressive R&B Album nomination at the next Grammys.

Watch Robert Glasper’s Tonight Show performance of “In Tune/Black Superhero” above.

Robert Glasper Searches For A ‘Black Superhero’ In His New Video From ‘Black Radio III’

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Grammy-winning producer Robert Glasper returns with a new single to announce the release date for his upcoming album, Black Radio III, which drops February 25 via Concord Loma Vista. The timing couldn’t be better, as 2022 marks the 10th anniversary of the original Black Radio album, which earned Glasper his first-ever Grammy for Best R&B Album. After sharing “Better Than I Imagined” featuring HER last year, Glasper follows up today with the video for “Black Superhero.”

Opening with a quote from culture critic Ta-Nehisi Coates and featuring verses from Killer Mike, BJ The Chicago Kid, and Big KRIT, “Black Superheroes” contemplates the everyday heroism of normal people creating a life in a nation where that’s not always the easiest thing to do. Despite the unwelcoming conditions of life in America for many Black Americans, whether they are barbers, politicians, teachers, or even just children, thriving is close enough to a superpower.

The video’s director, Charlie Buhler, offered this explanation in a press release: “‘Black Superhero’ is a visual love letter to the Black community. It’s an ode to our strength, vibrancy, and joy. We have struggled, and yet we are still here, and not only are we here, but we are so much more than the adversity heaped upon us. I am grateful to Robert and the team at Loma Vista for trusting me with such a powerful and important song, and everyone who came together to help bring the concept to life. It was a true labor of love.”

Watch Robert Glasper’s “Black Superhero” video above.

Black Radio III is due 2/25 via Concord Loma Vista. You can pre-order it here.