Media
HiiiWAV Unveils ‘Afro AI’: Empowering Black Creators With AI and AR Education
OAKLAND, Calif., September 20, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Bosko Kante, an award-winning music producer, inventor, tech founder, and artist advocate, proudly announces "Afro AI," a new program by Black creative-focused music+tech incubator HiiiWAV launching September 21, 2023.
About AFRO AI
What does it mean for black artists and creators to wield the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR)? AFRO AI, created by HiiiWAV, seeks to answer this question in a deeply transformative way. Taught by a team of industry mavens, including Don Allen III, Benin Saffo, Lance Coleman, and Nicky Saunders, this 8-week masterclass, starting on September 21, moves beyond mere technical instruction. The curriculum draws heavily from real-world experiences and inventive techniques, reflecting the ethos of HiiiWAV and Bosko Kante’s own journey as an inventor and a musician. This ensures that participants not only gain proficiency in new technologies but also understand how to fold them seamlessly into their unique voices and messages.
Here, learning culminates in the AFRO AI Demo Day, a high-stakes showcase where artists pitch their AI-empowered projects for a chance to secure a $10,000 grant. But more than that, Demo Day is a moment to shine the spotlight on the new narratives and paradigms that black creatives are setting.
About Bosko Kante and HiiiWAV
Bosko Kante is a leading talkbox artist who has also made big contributions to music and tech. He has written and performed talkbox on Grammy-winning albums for artists such as Dua Lipa and Kanye West. Trained as an Engineer at USC, Bosko invented the patented ElectroSpit ESX-1 mobile talkbox. His company ElectroSpit Inc.’s award-winning instruments are used by world-renowned artists like David Guetta and Stevie Wonder.
In 2020, Bosko Kante, Maya Kante, and Miles Dotson founded HiiiWAV to pass on the wealth of their experiences and resources to up-and-coming black musicians, creators, and entrepreneurs. As the President and Executive Director, Bosko’s vision steers HiiiWAV's AI+XR+Music Incubator project.
Impact and Achievements
Since 2022, HiiiWAV has hosted over 50 events and workshops, closely mentored 36 Black Bay Area Artists, and served 36 black creatives and six artist collectives, ranging in age from 18 to 45. These artists, all residents of Alameda County and surrounding Bay Area counties, received mentoring, studio time, and grants to grow their businesses. A total of 27 new artist projects were created, along with two public art showcases. HiiiWAV also hosted 45 free events, attended by over 3,000 people of all ages and identities, including songwriting workshops, art shows, concerts, artist networking events, movie screenings, book reviews, funding fairs, and educational panels. HiiiWAV was recognized as one of the 2023 YBCA 100 most impactful Bay Area nonprofits in addition to numerous awards such as Meta's XR Fund, Hewlett Foundation & Community Vision’s PAAF Grant, FHL Bank’s Ahead Grant, Kataly Foundation Grant, The Liberation Fund Grant, Elevate Initiative Finalist, and Bay-Area LISC Grant.
Contact Information:Bosko Kante
Executive Director
[email protected]
Patricia M.
Press Assistant
[email protected]
Related Files
HiiiWAV_ Pioneering the Future of Black Music and Entrepreneurship, Announces Plans for 2023.pdf
Original Source: HiiiWAV Unveils 'Afro AI': Empowering Black Creators With AI and AR Education
Rachael Sage Releases Unforgettable Video for Heartfelt Song ‘No Regrets’
NEW YORK, September 19, 2023 (Newswire.com) - Alt-folk-pop singer-songwriter Rachael Sage has released a heartfelt new video for "No Regrets" from her new album, The Other Side (out via MPress Records). The video premiered in M Music & Musicians (US) and Music-News (UK). Inspired by a poem written by her Dad, who Sage credits for her love of music and joie de vivre, Sage collaborated with her father to write the ultimate homage to simple gratitude. As intimate as it is universal, "No Regrets" gives thanks for the many little things that define life in all of its beautiful and aching joy, featuring Jack Petruzzelli on guitar (Rufus Wainwright) and Russ Johnson on trumpet (Elvis Costello).
Watch the video for "No Regrets" HERE.
Directed by Nick Clark and filmed by Mike Flanagan, the video captures the bond between Rachael and her Dad as they enjoy the small things that make a life - strolling through Central Park, journaling together, savoring a cold drink, and simply reveling in a loved one's company. Sage illustrates this in the lyrics: I love life - no take-backs/Ping-pong tables knowing all the facts/College buddies drinking ice cream floats/Coal Miner's Daughter and The Rolling Stones. Familiar scenes of NYC's skyline are the background to this simple story of an exuberant, ping-pong-filled, and happy day in the life of a father and daughter (both of whom are in cancer remission), sharing their passion for life and creativity.
Sage discusses the song, saying: "No Regrets is the first song I've ever written based on someone else's poem, and that someone happened to be my wonderful Dad. He had written a few poetic lines on a little notepad while he was recovering from lymphoma, and they were so touching to me that I didn't ask for permission - I just started immediately setting them to music. Thankfully his health returned fully within some months, and due in large part to music. I asked him what other things he'd like me to include in the song that inspired him the most, and the list was much longer than I could ever incorporate, but ultimately he was very pleased I focused on his friendships, his affection for ping-pong and Loretta Lynn - and his strong penchant for rhyming!"
Sage's latest studio album is the most grounded of her illustrious career. The Other Side's 15 tracks of emotionally charged and intricately woven music recall the classic, retro-warmth of the '70s and '80s, and are as instantly hummable as they are lyrically poignant. With memorable Americana-infused pop hooks and folk-fueled poeticism, Sage's timeless writing reminds us what's most important is always worth waiting for, via songs steeped in just the right amount of best-is-yet-to-come optimism.
The digital album, vinyl and deluxe physical CD - featuring 12 paintings by Sage, photographs by renowned Studio 54 photographer Bill Bernstein, along with a Bonus Disc of alternate mixes - can be streamed/ordered at: mpress.lnk.to/TheOtherSide
Please see rachaelsage.com for all ongoing tour dates.
Contact Information:Jill Richmond Johnson
Publicity Director
[email protected]
(212) 481-7243
Original Source: Rachael Sage Releases Unforgettable Video for Heartfelt Song 'No Regrets'
