What it means to make music in 2020

The pandemic has upended the art and business of making music. Producing, performing and releasing — every aspect is new and uncharted. The need for social distancing means that it’s unsafe to collaborate in small studios or perform for large crowds — not to mention finding the right thing to sing about in such a charged moment. We’re telling three stories about how artists are working within these constraints: Ricky Reed and John-Robert have found a way to generate a creative spark remotely, Jacob Collier has defied the laws of physics to master live performance over the internet, and Dua Selah has released a powerful new track that helps support the protests in Minneapolis. Everything is radically different than it was a few months ago, but these stories shine a light on why making music matters more than ever in 2020.

SONGS DISCUSSED
Lizzo - Juice
John-Robert, Ricky Reed, Zach Sekof - Favorite Boy
Bill Withers - Lean On Me performed by Ty Dolla Sign & Jacob Collier
Jacob Collier - All I Need
D’Angelo - Feel Like Making Love
Stevie Wonder - You And I performed by Tori Kelly and Jacob Collier
Dua Saleh - Body Cast
Dua Saleh - Sugar Mama
Dua Saleh - Moth
Dua Saleh - Smut
Sister Rosetta Tharp - This Little Light Of Mine

MORE
Watch Nice Live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC24tNtu1NuD9yZ9t2YUATIQ
Dua Saleh's "Body Cast" BandCamp campaign: https://duasaleh.bandcamp.com/track/body-cast
Listen to Dua Saleh's new album Rosetta: https://duasaleh.bandcamp.com/album/rosetta
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices