Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

Last updated
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Born Indiana
Origin Asheville, North Carolina

Secret Agent 23 Skidooor (SAS23) is a Grammy Award-winning hip-hop musician from Asheville, North Carolina. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo has been performing children's music since 2008. [1] He performs hip-hop for children. [2] [3]

Contents

After a decade of touring nationally as a rapper and producer in Granola Funk Express, [4] he released his first kids' hip-hop album in 2008.

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo serves as the official spokesman for the New York State Library System Children’s Summer Reading Program [5] and is the 2010 and PSA spokesman for the US Library System Collaborative Summer Library Program. [6] He can be heard and seen on the radio and in TV commercials nationwide promoting summer reading programs at libraries. [7] [8] He has performed for kids in libraries and schools across the country. [9] [10]

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo actively has also participated in charitable musical activities; these include "Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti", [11] [12] formed in response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake , and "Science Fair", a compilation to support science and engineering education for girls, [13] which won a Parents' Choice Award. [14] In 2018, Skidoo contributed to Hold Tight, Shine Bright, an album to benefit detained immigrant children [15] and aid concerts such as the Camp Fire Benefit Jam [16] to help Californians affected by the wildfire.

Albums

He released two albums on Happiness Records, Easy (2008), and Underground Playground (2010). [17] Secret Agent 23 Skidoo has had ten No. 1 radio hits on XM/Sirius Kids Place Live! and has played venues including Kidzapalooza, [18] Austin Kiddie Limits, [19] The Winnipeg Folk Festival, The Philadelphia Zoo, Nyc's Irving Plaza, and the Smithsonian Museum.

Easy, his debut album, encourages kids to be themselves, overcome fears, appreciate family, value healthy living, and to have fun. On Underground Playground, he encourages kids to respect uniqueness and live life to the fullest. The album includes songs such as “Ride the Butterflies”, “Chase the Rain”, “The Whalelephant”, and “Speak the Truth” which features Gift of Gab. The national board of judges for Fids and Kamily poll ranked Underground Playground at #5 for Best Kids and Family Music of 2010. [20]

Make Believers was released in 2012. Themes include curiosity, individuality, and that love is greater than fear. "Magic Beans" dives into the classic tale of Jack and the Beanstalk from a new perspective, "Hot Sauce" encourages kids to try new things, and "Gotta Be You" describes the importance of being the person you would want to befriend. Lastly, "Back Home" is geared towards every listener with a pet.

The Perfect Quirk was released in 2015 and was nominated for a Grammy Award. [21] The album opens with "You're It". "Imaginary Friend" introduces a unique character and mind-opening perspectives and is the inspiration for an animated film. [22]

Infinity Plus One was released in 2017 and was nominated [23] and won a Grammy Award for Best Children's Album. [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] In addition to its space theme, the album includes actual astronomical elements, such as the electromagnetic emanations of Earth, which were recorded by the Voyager spacecraft in 1977. [29]

Wake up the Dream was released in 2018. [30] [31]

Books

Awards

At the 59th Grammy Awards, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo was awarded a Grammy for Best Children's Album for his record Infinity Plus One. At the 57th Grammy awards, his record The Perfect Quirk was nominated for Best Children's Album. [34]

His book Weirdo Calhoun and the Odd Men Out won Silver at the 2014 Moonbeam Awards. [35]

Discography

Collaborations

Albums

Songs

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seal (musician)</span> British singer (born 1963)

Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel better known by his stage name Seal, is a British singer, songwriter and record producer. He has sold over 20 million records worldwide. These include hit songs "Crazy" and "Killer", the latter of which went to number one in the UK, and his most celebrated song, "Kiss from a Rose", which was released in 1994. Seal is renowned for his distinctive soulful singing voice.

Radiohead are an English rock band formed in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke ; brothers Jonny Greenwood and Colin Greenwood (bass); Ed O'Brien ; and Philip Selway. They have worked with the producer Nigel Godrich and the cover artist Stanley Donwood since 1994. Radiohead's experimental approach is credited with advancing the sound of alternative rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sting (musician)</span> British musician (born 1951)

Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, known as Sting, is an English musician and actor. He was the frontman, songwriter and bassist for new wave band the Police from 1977 until their breakup in 1986. He launched a solo career in 1985 and has included elements of rock, jazz, reggae, classical, new-age, and worldbeat in his music.

<i>Amnesiac</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Radiohead

Amnesiac is the fifth studio album by the English rock band Radiohead, released on 30 May 2001 by EMI subsidiaries Parlophone and Capitol Records. It was recorded with the producer Nigel Godrich in the same sessions as Radiohead's previous album Kid A (2000). Radiohead split the work in two as they felt it was too dense for a double album. As with Kid A, Amnesiac incorporates influences from electronic music, 20th-century classical music, jazz and krautrock. The final track, "Life in a Glasshouse", is a collaboration with the jazz trumpeter Humphrey Lyttelton and his band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toni Braxton</span> American singer (born 1967)

Toni Michele Braxton is an American R&B singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. She has sold over 70 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling female artists in history. Braxton has won seven Grammy Awards, nine Billboard Music Awards, seven American Music Awards, and numerous other accolades. In 2011, Braxton was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. In 2017 she was honored with the Legend Award at the Soul Train Music Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sugarland</span> American country music duo

Sugarland is an American country music duo founded in Atlanta, Georgia. The duo consists of singer-songwriters Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. They were founded in 2002, at which point Kristen Hall was also a member. All three had experience in folk rock: Nettles had recorded in the groups Soul Miner's Daughter and Jennifer Nettles Band, Bush had recorded two albums as one-half of the duo Billy Pilgrim, and Hall had recorded two solo albums. After Hall left in 2006, Nettles and Bush continued as a duo.

The Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album is an award presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality instrumental albums in the pop music genre. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Legend</span> American musician (born 1978)

John Roger Stephens, known professionally as John Legend, is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, record producer and actor. He began his musical career by working behind the scenes, playing piano on Lauryn Hill's "Everything Is Everything", and making uncredited guest appearances on Jay-Z's "Encore" and Alicia Keys's "You Don't Know My Name". He was the first artist signed to Kanye West's GOOD Music, on which he released his debut album Get Lifted (2004), which reached the top ten on the Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandi Carlile</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1981)

Brandi Marie Carlile is an American singer-songwriter. Her music spans many genres, including folk rock, alternative country, Americana, and classic rock. As of 2021, Carlile has released seven studio albums. She has received nine Grammy Awards and earned 25 Grammy nominations, including one for The Firewatcher's Daughter (2015), six for By the Way, I Forgive You (2018), three for her work as producer and songwriter on Tanya Tucker's album While I'm Livin' (2019), and ten for In These Silent Days (2021).

<i>Here Come the 123s</i> 2008 studio album by They Might Be Giants

Here Come the 123s is the third children's album by They Might Be Giants. It is the sequel to the group's 2005 album Here Come the ABCs. The songs are edutainment music aimed at kids, this time dealing with numbers. Like ABCs, there is a CD and DVD. It was initially set to be released on October 2, 2007, but was pushed back to February 5, 2008.

Joan Leibowitz is a Grammy-award winning musician best known for her work as a children's musical artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lotus Flower (song)</span> Song by Radiohead

"Lotus Flower" is a song by the English rock band Radiohead, released on their eighth studio album, The King of Limbs (2011). It features singer Thom Yorke's falsetto over syncopated beats and a synthesiser bassline. Its music video, featuring Yorke's erratic dancing, attracted millions of views and inspired an internet meme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Milk Carton Kids</span> American musical group

The Milk Carton Kids are an American indie folk duo from Eagle Rock, California, United States, consisting of singers and guitarists Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan, who began making music together in early 2011. The band has recorded and released six albums: Retrospect, Prologue, The Ash & Clay, Monterey, All the Things That I Did and All the Things That I Didn't Do, and The Only Ones. They are noted for releasing their first two albums free of charge. The band was featured on the Peacock TV show Girls5Eva with the new song New York Lonely Boy.

The Asheville Zombie Walk started in October 2006 as a flash mob. Several hundred participants gathered in a cemetery in Asheville, North Carolina following prompts from MySpace and flyers. Throughout the years, the walk grew into the family-friendly Ashtoberfest, a program featuring additional events like zombie-themed bands and games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michaël Brun</span> Musical artist

Michaël Brun is a Haitian DJ and record producer based in New York, known for blending electronic music with traditional Haitian styles such as kompa and rara. He released his debut EP Gravity in 2013 and founded the record label Kid Coconut in 2014, to showcase Haitian music and develop Haitian artists. In 2018, he released the single "Positivo" with J Balvin, which became the theme song for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. His debut album, Lokal, was released on June 26, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Recess Monkey</span>

Recess Monkey is a Seattle-based trio of current and former elementary school teachers who have made music for kids and families since their debut album Welcome to Monkey Town in 2005. They have since released 14 albums for family audiences. They perform live concerts throughout the United States with an emphasis on audience participation, dancing, and a focus on the entire family.

<i>Feel What U Feel</i> 2016 studio album by Lisa Loeb

Feel What U Feel is a children's album by American musician Lisa Loeb. The album was released on October 7, 2016, and the album's first single was "Feel What U Feel." The album won Best Children's Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.

Lucy Kalantari is an American singer, composer and producer. She is the frontwoman and bandleader for Lucy Kalantari and The Jazz Cats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kindie rock</span> Genre of childrens music

Kindie rock, otherwise known as "kindie" or "family music" is a style of children's music that “melds the sensibility of the singer-songwriter with themes aimed at kids under 10.” Many popular kindie rock artists first gained fame as adult performers, including Dan Zanes and They Might Be Giants. The term was first coined by Salon.com writer Scott Lamb in 2006, and has gained in popularity since. Although its original name implies a rock music style, kindie has never been purely rock music, instead encompassing innumerable musical styles. In recent years, artists have increasingly used the less specific term "kindie music" or "kindie." Playtime Playlist, a kindie directory website, notes that the term kindie “comes from merging of ‘Kid’ and ‘Independent’” and that kindie is differentiated from conventional children's music by the way that “artists are free to make music that comes straight from their heart and isn't bound by commercial formulaic rules.” As pointed out by Stefan Shepard of the kindie music blog Zooglobble, kindie artists' primary aim is to make child-oriented music with the same care and thought as adult music. It is also defined by its opposition to "mainstream" or commercial children's music. Community is also an important part of the modern kindie scene, as exemplified by the biannual Kindiecomm conference and the yearly Hootenanny gathering.

References

  1. Walsh, Dan (23 May 2012). "A Conversation with Secret Agent 23 Skidoo". dadnabbit.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  2. Derdeyn, Stuart (September 4, 2018). "Kindie rock band the Oot n' Oots in it for the fun". vancouversun.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019..
  3. Bream, Jon (April 4, 2015). "Meet the new breed of children's musicmakers". Star Tribune. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  4. "Mountain Express Music". Granola Funk Express. Mountain Express. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  5. "Summer Reading at New York Libraries -". June 18, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-06-18. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  6. "Collaborative Summer Library Program - 2011 Public Service Announcements". September 3, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-09-03. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  7. ""Libraries Rock!" Summer Reading PSA 2018 (Extended version)". March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2019 via YouTube.
  8. "Summer Reading Champion: SECRET AGENT 23 SKIDOO - Kid's PSA "This Summer Libraries Rock!"". March 31, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2019 via YouTube.
  9. "Rap joins poetry unit at Fisher Elementary". The Bennington Banner. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  10. "Why do the arts matter?". Moss Arts Center. July 12, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2019 via Vimeo.
  11. "Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti". Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  12. "Many Hands: Family-Friendly Tunes that Give Back to Haiti". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  13. Kraft, Amy (July 11, 2012). "Science Fair: Girls Rock". Wired. Retrieved March 16, 2019 via www.wired.com.
  14. "Science Fair".
  15. "'Hold Tight, Shine Bright' Album to Benefit Detained Immigrant Children". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  16. "Local Music Scene Steps Up to Aid in Camp Fire Relief - Submerge Magazine - Music + Art + Lifestyle". submergemag.com. 21 November 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  17. "Happiness Records". Welcome to Happiness Records. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  18. "Kidzapalooza".
  19. "Secret Agent 23 Skidoo at ACL 2009". archive.is. January 16, 2013. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  20. "The Best Kids and Family Music of 2010". Fids and Kamily Award Winners. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  21. Holly Lebowitz Rossi (2021-10-24) [2015-01-23]. "This year's "Best Children's Album" Grammy nominees". The Washington Post . Washington, D.C. ISSN   0190-8286. OCLC   1330888409.[ please check these dates ]
  22. Busch, Anita (January 6, 2017). "Secret Agent 23 Skidoo Song Inspires First Animated Film From Jeremy Renner & Don Handfield's The Combine". deadline.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  23. "Asheville's 23 Skidoo nominated for Grammy". Citizen Times. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  24. "Winners". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  25. Marshall, Alli. "23 Skidoo takes home the Grammy for Best Children's Album". mountainx.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  26. "Secret Agent 23 Skidoo captures first Grammy for 'Infinity Plus One'". www.theunion.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  27. Blair, Brian (13 February 2017). "Columbus native wins a Grammy for best children's album". The Republic. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  28. "Local hip-hop act Secret Agent 23 Skidoo captures 'Best Children's Album'". www.theunion.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  29. Marshall, Alli. "Secret Agent 23 Skidoo debuts 'Mozartistic,' talks what's next after Grammy win". mountainx.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  30. "Secret Agent 23 Skidoo To Release Amazon Original Album Wake Up The Dream June 29". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  31. Cohen, Jeffrey (June 25, 2018). "Secret Agent 23 Skidoo Lives the Dream". geekdad.com. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  32. "Weirdo Calhoun and the Odd Men Out".
  33. Word Is Born via Audible.
  34. "Secret Agent 23 Skidoo". GRAMMY.com. 2019-02-15. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  35. "2014 Winners". www.moonbeamawards.com. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  36. 1 2 "Hometown heroes of the 2012 Grammys: Oklahoma City's favorite kid's funk band Sugar Free Allstars". NewsOK.com. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  37. "Listen To This: "Look Both Ways" - Egg with Secret Agent 23 Skidoo (World Premiere) - Blog - Zooglobble". zooglobble.squarespace.com. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  38. "Froggie Went A Courtin' (Featuring Secret Agent 23 Skidoo), by Joanie Leeds and The Nightlights". Joanie Leeds and The Nightlights. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  39. "Together (Single) feat. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, by Moona Luna". Moona Luna. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  40. "Robbie Schaefer | Music". Robbie Schaefer. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  41. "rocksteady". Josh and the Jamtones. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  42. "Are You Afraid of the Dark? (feat. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo) by Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats". lucykalantari.com. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  43. "Mista Cookie Jar". mistacookiejar.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  44. "GIANTS OF SCIENCE - For Your Consideration for "Best Children's Album" for the 61st GRAMMY Awards!". Tumblr. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  45. "Everybody's Crazy (feat. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo), by Formidable Vegetable". Formidable Vegetable. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  46. "Renee & Friends to Release "Kindred" featuring Ziggy Marley, Lisa Loeb, Elizabeth Mitchell, Chris Stills And More". New Music Weekly. 2019-02-28. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  47. "Shazam".