His stage name sounds like a superhero, and he is fast becoming one.
On Feb. 10, Oakland’s own singer, songwriter and producer, Fantastic Negrito, walked down the aisle during the 61st Annual Grammy Premiere Ceremony in Los Angeles and picked up the 2018 award for Best Contemporary Blues Album for his latest release, “Please Don’t Be Dead.”
This was a second win for Fantastic Negrito, who won his first Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album, “The Last Days of Oakland” In 2017.
“This is Love,” said an elated Fantastic Negrito, who took the stage in an ornate, custom made red suit and ‘frohawk. Fantastic Negrito called his best friend, John Moseley of Oakland, up to the stage accept the Grammy with him.
“We used to rob people together, but we turned out alright,” Negrito joked. “If you’ve got a friend, then you’ve really got something in this world.”
Negrito then gave a huge shout out and thank you to Oakland, CA and the Bay Area where “Please Don’t Be Dead” was recorded at his own Blackball Universe studios. Negrito also gave a shout out to the late rock musician Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, who committed suicide in 2017.
Later, in the lobby of the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles where the ceremony was held, greeted industry officials including his manager, Phil Green, Oakland based producer and Grammy Trustee Larry Batiste and Grammy winning producer and radio show host Native Wayne Jobson.
"Fantastic Negrito's back-to-back Grammy wins are a testament to his brilliance, and to the level of talent that exists in the Oakland/Bay Area,” said Batiste. “He is truly a singers’ singer, whose delivery of song is pure, honest, authentic and unapologetic!”
On his return to the Bay Area, Fantastic Negrito was honored by Macy’s at Union Square in San Francisco during their annual Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 16. Negrito and his band: Dame Drummer on drums, Camilo Landau on guitar and Bryan Simmons on keyboards, performed three songs; and then Negrito participated in a Q&A with San Francisco School Board president Stevon Cook. (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9d3L5Y7XiHI)
Negrito candidly discussed his early life in the Bay Area as a drug dealer and a street musician. He spoke of losing two family members, his brother and his cousin, to gun violence and the pain it caused their mothers. He spoke of a terrifying car accident in Hollywood that put him in a coma for three weeks and left his hand paralyzed. The cover of his Grammy winning album, “Please Don’t Be Dead” is an actual photo that captured Negrito waking up after a three week coma.
Negrito, who feels he was given several second chances, and won his first Grammy at age 50, found redemption through music. In January, he sold out two shows at the New Parish in Oakland and will continue his tour this spring. Negrito defines his mix of blues, soul, rock and jazz as black roots music for everyone. He gave the audience some insight into his creative process.
“For me, the creative process is very lonely,” said Negrito. “It’s desolate. Walking downtown at 3 a.m., people think I’m on drugs. It’s crazy. To tap into that spirit; to tap into those ancestors who are definitely there to feel that vibrations, making records is definitely a lonely process. It’s beautiful when the magic happens.”
Fantastic Negrito was not the only artist making history at the 2019 Grammy Awards ceremony. As Cardi B was most likely slinking into her vintage Thierry Mugler pearl in clam dress, Gulf War veteran Shaggy was making history as the first reggae artist to host the Grammy Premiere Ceremony. Shaggy later picked up a Grammy for Best Reggae Album of 2018 for “44/876” with Sting, as his wife, Rebecca and daughter, Sidney cheered him on from the audience.
Regal Malian singer/songwriter Fatoumata Diawara, (the African, female, Stevie Wonder), performed her upbeat track,”Negue Negue” grom her Grammy nominated album, “Fenfo” during the pre-ceremony.
Cecile McLorin Salvant picked up her third consecutive Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album of for her 2018 masterpiece, “The Window.”
Emily Lazar made history as the first woman to win the Grammy in the Best Engineered Album, Non -Classical, for her work on Beck’s “Colors.”
