THE UNDEFEATED

Cordae Funds Scholarships For HBCU Students With Help From Disney And ESPN

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Cordae isn’t just a critically acclaimed, hit-making young artist on the rise — he’s also an outspoken activist and advocate for social change in America and the world. Last year, he was arrested at a sit-in protest of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s home to push for Cameron to file charges against Breonna Taylor’s killers (a felony charge against him was dropped) and now, he’s partnered with Disney Dreamers Academy and ESPN’s The Undefeated to stand up for education by funding scholarships for HBCU students.

His efforts are being fueled by his participation in the upcoming compilation project Liberated / Music For the Movement Vol. 3, set to be released June 18 in honor of Juneteenth, the Black American holiday celebrating the official end of slavery in the United States. The Music For The Movement series, sponsored by The Undefeated, celebrates Black history and accomplishments of Black American activists, artists, and athletes, spawning records like Tinashe’s cover of “I’m Every Woman.”

Cordae, who appears on the track “What’s Life” with Common, committed to donating his proceeds from the track to funding scholarships for HBCU students. The Undefeated and Disney Dreamers Academy matched his donations. Cordae explained his decision in a press release. “So many people need the money more than I do,” he said. “I feel as though when you’re in such a blessed position, it’s important to pay that forward to be a blessing to others. It’s especially important to me to invest in our youth and the future. Young people are the future of our society and the world, so we must do all we can to ensure they are properly positioned to succeed. If I can spark the brain of a few future world leaders and geniuses, I’ll die a happy man.”

Liberated / Music For the Movement Vol. 3 also features Chloe Bailey, Kamasi Washington, Lucky Daye, and Yara Shahidi, and is due 6/18 on Hollywood Records.

Cordae is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Tinashe’s ‘I’m Every Woman’ Cover Is A Towering Homage To The ’70s Classic

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As part of a new project with ESPN’s The Undefeated, Tinashe has released a cover of the classic empowerment anthem “I’m Every Woman.” First popularized by Chaka Khan in 1978 — it was the lead single off her debut album Chaka — the track was later popularized in the ’90s by Whitney Houston, who turned it into more of a pop hit than the original funk and disco vibe.

Tinashe has obviously heard both versions of the song, and seems to pull from both artist’s legacies in her own version, working in funk and disco alongside itchy house beats, but including plenty of dramatic belting that’s rare for the R&B star’s vocal style. Dramatic belting doubles as an ode to Whitney whenever it’s done well, and Tinashe pulls it off with surprising ease here. Last year she spoke to us about bringing live shows into people’s living rooms during the pandemic, this year, she’s catapulting herself into the realm of disco and funk with a truly superb cover. Check out the song above.

Other artists involved in The Undefeated’s Music For The Movement Volume II project, a part of Black History Always, also includes offerings like Tobe Nwigwe’s take on Melvin & The Blue Notes’ (Featuring Teddy Pendergrass) “Wake Up Everybody,” Brent Faiyaz contributing an original new song, “Eden,” and Freddie Gibbs doing Gil Scott Heron’s “Winter In America.” The first EP, Music For The Movement Volume I, featured Rapsody, Jensen McRae, Terrace Martin, Alex Isley, Robert Glasper, and Keedron Bryant.