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Held Aug. 26 & 27 in Brooklyn, Afropunk 2023's diverse, genre-spanning lineup highlighted some of the most exciting artists in Black music. From headliner Teyana Taylor to rising stars like King Isis, revisit eight incredible Afropunk acts.

In a saturated industry, it’s no small feat for a music festival to continually feel fresh and subversive, let alone one that spans multiple annual iterations around the globe. But Afropunk, the music and art festival celebrating alternative Black culture, has consistently done so since its inception in 2005.

Its Brooklyn event is Afropunk's de facto flagship, and this year's iteration saw several major changes. Afropunk 2023 moved from Fort Greene’s Commodore Barry Park to Greenpoint’s Terminal Market, a more compact venue located on the East River waterfront that gave the performances a stunning skyline backdrop. Held Aug. 26 and 27, the festival was an ideal end of summer event.

The festival's theme was "Circus of Soul," and populated with stilt walkers, trapeze artists, and acrobats that gave the two-day event a whimsical surreal feel. (It helped that many members of the Afropunk audience — consistently one of the best dressed music festival crowds — brought their own spin to the carnival motif.)

But a music festival can’t be considered a success without strong performances, and Afropunk managed a diverse, genre-spanning lineup highlighting some of the most exciting artists in Black music. From headliner Teyana Taylor to rising stars like King Isis, these are eight standout performances GRAMMY.com saw at Afropunk Brooklyn 2023.

Cleveland-born vocalist, songwriter and producer Durand Bernarr is adored within the industry, but is still working to match that level of acclaim with casual audiences. But Bernarr's Afropunk set made a compelling case for Bernarr as a future star.

The "Next Big Thing" alumni showed jaw-dropping versatility, seamlessly transitioning from brash ‘90s funk on "Summons" to steamy balladry with "Stuck." Bernarr also offered one of the day’s more poignant moments when he performed his collaboration with the late composer Daniel Jones, who passed tragically last month.

It makes sense that Houston’s Tobe Nwigwe is finding success as an actor, because his music has a truly cinematic bent. Dubbed "A momint at Afropunk," his set at the festival delivered, with the vocalist,and his band emerging on stage clad in crisp, mint attire. With an army of backup singers, and a choir on the screen behind him, perhaps the best use of the video monitor all weekend, Nwigwe ripped through songs from his moMINTs album, rapping ferociously on songs like "Lord Forgive Me" and "Catfish Blackened w/ Grits."

The vocalist and his band have plenty of experience translating his bombastic music to a performance setting — Nwigwe even released a live LP in January 2022 — and his Afropunk performance had terrific pace, slowing down with his live show staple "Hydration Reprise" before ratcheting the energy back up.

The GRAMMY-nominated rapper brought out a few guests, including Earthgang’s Olu, but the standout was Nwigwe's young daughter, who originally came on stage to help perform "Wildlings" (her favorite track of her father’s, per Nwigwe). She didn’t wind up singing, but it was one of several memorable moments in a captivating set that illustrated why Nwigwe’s star power transcends artistic mediums.

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Capping day 1’s lineup on the smaller stage, New York singer/songwriter Madison McFerrin played one of Afropunk’s most enchanting sets, the kind that has audience members adding tracks to their Spotify playlists before McFerrin has even finished performing them.

McFerrin performed several standout cuts from her 2023 album I Hope You Can Forgive Me, including the vulnerable "(Please Don’t) Leave Me Now" and "Stay Away (From Me)," which McFerrin and her band slyly shifted into a bossa nova groove. The crystalline vocals that makes McFerrin's studio projects so captivating translated to the Afropunk stage, with feathery melodic runs aplenty.

Between tracks, McFerrin’s banter managed to be both effortless and effervescent. After making a corny joke about her bandmate Brooklyn coming to Brooklyn to perform, she punctuated the clunker by imitating the DJ airhorn sound. While introducing "Hindsight," McFerrin explained that the track is not a run-of-the-mill romantic ballad, but an encapsulation of her feelings when Bernie Sanders didn’t secure the 2020 Democratic nomination. "If you’ve also had your heart broken by an 80-year-old white man, this song’s for you," she said.

Early in his career, Vince Staples’ songs had a menacing, jagged quality that reflected his vivid stories of dog eat dog life in Long Beach, California. Staples has settled into an interesting niche on his last two LPs, slowing the tempos down and offering more melodic raps atop languorous percussion and moody synths.

His 2023 Afropunk set had a mellow contemplativeness that made Vince a smart fit for the sunset slot. Staples took the stage solo, and while he’s not a conventionally big personality — it’s one of the reasons he’s building a successful side career as deadpan comedic relief in "Abbott Elementary" and the White Men Can’t Jump remake — his relaxed demeanor is captivating, particularly juxtaposed with the vividness of his lyrics.

Staples’ set largely showcased last year’s Ramona Park Broke My Heart, opening with the drumless "The Beach," a fitting showcase for his technical skills and breath control. He transitioned into a few more propulsive tracks like the Juicy J-assisted "Big Fish" and "Rose Street."

Understatedness has always been key to Staples’ appeal both in the studio and onstage, so the stripped-down nature of his Afropunk set felt character consistent, especially since it was followed by the trippy maximalism of Flying Lotus.

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Performing on the smaller of Afropunk’s two stages, Oakland’s King Isis showcased their genre fluency during a captivating set that spanned avant-garde jazz, alternative rock, and bedroom pop. Songs like "141827" recall the guitar work of Jonny Greenwood on early Radiohead projects, while the blistering "I’m Fine, Thx 4 Asking" is a thrilling spin on ‘90s garage rock.

Their voice fits nicely into the acclaimed crop of contemporary indie artists like Nilüfer Yanya and King Krule, who place bluesy, world-weary vocals atop instrumentation that emphasizes washed-out guitar chords. (Isis even covered Nirvana’s "Smells Like Teen Spirit" during their set.)

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If the music industry was a true meritocracy, Atlanta’s Baby Tate would be a chart-topping superstar. Her performance at Afropunk was a typically ambitious, enthralling set from the underrated rapper and singer. In her time on stage, Tate spanned genres, rapping over Ciara’s "1, 2 Step," showing the heft of her voice on the steamy "What’s Love," and previewing an upcoming record where she dives into the Jersey club sound.

One particularly powerful moment came when Tate addressed backlash over her outfit at Afropunk Atlanta in 2021. Tate spoke frankly about how the situation affected her as cruel social media posts flashed on screen — as well as messages of support from stars like Rihanna. "Last time I came to Afropunk, they was talking a lot of s— [and] had me feeling insecurities I didn’t even know I had," she said. That led her into last year’s standout "Pedi," a rollicking track on which Tate skates atop a Miami bass-inspired beat.

Tate and her DJ, Sky Jetta, had a terrific rapport throughout the set. Even when the MC left the stage briefly, Sky Jetta held the crowd’s attention, reeling off Panic! At the Disco’s "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" and Paramore’s "Misery Business," tracks that didn’t feel out of place in Tate’s genre-jumping performance. When Tate picked up the mic again, she punctuated a standout set with hits "Eenie Meenie" and "I Am."

There was some palpable tension during Joey Badass’ banter, as he lambasted Afropunk for taking so long to book him, and criticized the festival for technical difficulties that delayed his performance. "It wasn’t the most professional s— I’ve been a part of, but it’s the most beautiful-looking thing I’ve been a part of," he said.

Those moments stick out, because the festival's penultimate set had a pervasive positivity. After opening with early career records like "Righteous Minds" and "95 Til Infinity," Joey dove into a segment of slower, romantic tracks as part of his goal of "celebrating Black love in the best motherf—in’ way." Some of these tracks, like the languid "Show Me" and the dreamy "Love is Only a Feeling" sound flat in studio form, but worked live thanks to the depths of the sound and the rapper’s impassioned delivery. The performance proved a suitable platform for Joey to showcase his technical skills with an impressive acapella rap to cap "Make Me Feel" that earned a strong reaction from the crowd.

Raised in Bed-Stuy, Joey seemed moved by the situation, referring to it as both a "family reunion" and "a homecoming moment" at different points during the set. He offered a poignant tribute to late peers like Juice WRLD, Nipsey Hussle, and Pro Era’s Capital Steez before doing his XXXtentacion collaboration "Infinity (888)," and closed the set with "Devastated," arguably the biggest hit of his career.

The inclusion of Teyana Taylor was announced less than two weeks before Afropunk, as original headliner Jazmine Sullivan canceled her set in order to continue grieving the death of her mother. But Taylor — an incredibly compelling performer whose career has been consistently waylaid by label issues — put on the festival’s most cinematic, high-concept set to cap the weekend.

An extension of her Last Rose Motel Tour, Taylor’s performance included hotel-themed visuals, gilded bellhop luggage carts, and even a brief blip of elevator music. True to her "Rose in Harlem" moniker, the set featured a jaw-dropping amount of flowers, including a dancer emerging from a wedding cake made entirely of roses. The best narrative moment of the set came when Taylor, clad in a suit and yellow trench coat, appeared to suffocate a man on stage–a reference to her "Bare Wit Me" music video. She was questioned by backup dancers dressed as police officers, all within the natural flow of the set.

Taylor appeared to fight through significant technical difficulties, eventually switching from a headset microphone to a handheld. Yet the sound quality problem did little to dim her overall star power. Taylor performed an array of songs from K.T.S.E. and The Album, sounding particularly sharp on "1800-One-Night" and "Hurry."

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Ahead of his next album, 'Til Next Time,' GRAMMY U caught up with DJ Khaled to talk about hip-hop’s 50th anniversary and how young music-makers can follow in his footsteps.

Hip-hop hit-maker DJ Khaled is doing what he does best: making music and inspiring others. Khaled has been in the game since the ‘90s, graduating from spinning vinyl in his garage to the GRAMMY stage. Today, the GRAMMY-winning producer and artist has a multitude of roles.

"I’m a father, I’m a producer, I’m a DJ, I'm a music executive, I'm an executive, I’m a young entrepreneur," Khaled told GRAMMY U National Representative Carlie Anderson.

Khaled showed he is also a role model, taking time to speak with GRAMMY U following at an Aug. 16 event at Miami’s Soho Beach House. There, Khaled was in conversation with Carl Lamarre, Billboard’s Deputy Director of R&B and Hip-Hop.

The conversation wasn’t exactly planned, but Khaled made sure to make the most of the opportunity to speak to the younger audience of GRAMMY U, even telling those around him to quiet down so that he could give his full attention to Anderson.

Khaled reflected on the creation of his 2006 debut project Listennn…the Album, as well as the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Like many artists and fans, Khaled believes hip-hop is more than just a genre of music: it’s a lifestyle.

"Hip-hop is not only everything to me, it is a force of greatness," Khaled tells Anderson. "Hip-hop changed my life, saved my life. I love hop-hop. I have to thank hip-hop for the blessings and inspiration, for the way hip-hop raised me."

Khaled recalled how he found hip-hop on his own and began to immerse himself in the world behind the music. Now, as a leading contributor to the culture, Khaled regularly reflects on how the culture made him who he is.

When it comes to being an inspiration to others, Khaled takes his position very seriously. His advice to young and emerging music-makers was simple: "Just be you.

"The world is yours," Khaled continued. "Being you is the most beautiful thing in the world."

After receiving five nominations at the 2023 GRAMMY Awards and performing at the show alongside Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, John Legend and Rick Ross, and, Khaled shows no signs of stopping. Earlier in August, he announced his 14th studio album, Til Next Time. The new project will be his first under the new partnership with Def Jam (in February, the rapper left Sony Music to join Universal Music Group). With this deal, Khaled was also named Global Creative Consultant for UMG.

The announcement of his album also came with a four-minute trailer, featuring his wife and two children. With comical moments from Khaled throughout, the video still steadies itself with the trademark motivational sentiments the producer is known for.

"Success ain't easy," Khaled said in the trailer. "You gotta want it so bad that you're willing to put everything on the line, even if you gotta risk your own life."

It’s no surprise that Khaled has some big features planned for the album. The debut single, "Supposed to Be Loved," already spotlights frequent collaborator Lil Baby, as well as Future and Lil Uzi Vert, who is working with the musician for the first time.

As a true master of collaborations, Khaled told GRAMMY U about how his partners are often also his inspirations. Dr. Dre, Puff Daddy, and Fat Joe sit high in his mind, as well as Jay-Z, who Khaled credits to having "shown us that anything and everything is possible" in this industry.

Khaled also gave love to his supporters for sticking by him in all his different endeavors.

"My fans are my inspiration," Khaled says. "They keep me going and keep me doing what I love to do, making music and representing hip-hop."

With Til Next Time and his other efforts, Khaled strives to continue pushing hip-hop forward. This genre’s milestone is the first of many in his mind: "Not only hip-hop 50, it’s hip hop forever."

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Celebrate hip-hop's golden anniversary by checking out these 10 must-hear podcasts. Each series covers a range of topics connected to the culture, from candid conservations with elite emcees to deep dives into rap history with Chuck D.

Since its emergence at DJ Kool Herc's back-to-school bash in '73, hip-hop has grown from a niche music genre into a cultural phenomenon that influences many industries. It has become the driving force behind fashion, art, film and advertising, reshaping the world's entertainment landscape.

From "The Combat Jack Show" to "The Joe Budden Podcast," the genre's popularity has given birth to a range of hip-hop podcasts that dominate the online streaming world.

These powerhouse podcasts and dozens of others provide a platform for candid interviews with artists, cultural discussions, and in-depth analyses of the rap world. But some go a bit further, digging into the practical and less-glamorous aspects of the culture like finances, entrepreneurship, education, activism and female empowerment.

Whether you're interested in the inspiration behind your fave rapper's song or simply want to learn more about the genre's history, these 10 hip-hop podcasts have got you covered.

Whether you're a hip-hop head looking for insights or just want to laugh and hear some good rap tea, Drink Champs is where it's at.

From the controversial Ye episode to Snoop's candid discussion about buying his former label, Death Row, the podcast is known for its frank and unfiltered conversations with the hottest artists in the game.

With adult beverages flowing freely, hosts N.O.R.E. (also known as Noreaga) and DJ EFN chop it up with hip-hop royalty, who share stories about their hit albums and diss tracks and bust myths that have followed them throughout their careers. The free-flowing libations help loosen everyone up, setting the stage for viral and controversial moments.

When it comes to hip-hop, Manny Faces knows what's up. He's the founder and executive director of The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy, which focuses on boosting public understanding of hip-hop music and culture. Hip-hop has faced its fair share of negative stereotypes, but they only represent a fraction of the whole picture. And Faces is trying to highlight the other side of this much-maligned movement by highlighting hip-hop's positive influence on communities across the country.

With his long-running podcast, "Hip-Hop Can Save America!" the award-winning journalist examines how the music and cultural movement is being used to positively influence aspects of education, science, health, activism, politics, business and the arts across the country.

In conversations with authors, artists, educators, activists and scholars, Faces dives deep into the myriad ways hip-hop is being used to enact change and meaningful transformation across industries.

What began as a subscription-based newsletter has since transformed into a dynamic podcast and media company that analyzes the financial aspects of hip-hop. With a dedication to in-depth analyses and insights, "Trapital" host and founder Dan Runcie uses his tech/finance background to explore the business side of the rap game, uncovering its financial strategies and impact.

Over the show's run, Runcie has interviewed music execs and examined the rise of artists like Burna Boy, the turnover at MoTown, the state of streaming and physical media, and the decline of major record labels.

If you've ever wanted to know the story behind MC Lyte's infamous diss song "10% Dis" or how Ja Rule found his niche, Rap Stories is the podcast for you.

Created in celebration of hip-hop's 50th anniversary, "Rap Stories" goes behind the scenes with culture-shifting artists — including Goodie Mob, MC Lyte, Currensy, Too $hort and BIG K.R.I.T. — who offer up intimate insights, production details and backstories about their most impactful and culturally significant works.

No, your mind isn't playing tricks on you. The Geto Boys' very own Scarface and Willie D are the hosts of this riveting podcast that launched in 2021 on Charlamagne tha God's The Black Effect Podcast Network. In it, the Southern rap pioneers reflect on their legacy and rise to stardom, dispels rumors and offer behind-the-scenes insights into their tenure with the Houston hip-hop group. The hosts also chop it up with guests who have impacted the culture, including Rap-A-Lot founder J Prince, Lil Keke, Krayzie Bone, 2 Chainz, Freddie Gibbs, NBA icon Allen Iverson and more.

But this isn't just a long-form chat about their careers or music. The podcast also welcomes thought leaders from the world of politics, pop culture and beyond, for thought-provoking conversations on a host of topics, from gun violence and social justice to mental health, relationships and spirituality.

"The primary goal of the podcast is to inform and instruct," Willie D told The Root in 2021. "Akin to the music we’ve done throughout our career."

From the mid-aughts to the early 2010s, music blogs played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of hip-hop. During this time, the internet provided a platform for both established and up-and-coming artists, like Drake and Kid Cudi, to share their music directly with fans through these smaller blog sites where fans could download their new music.

Hosted by brothers Eric and Jeff Rosenthal, this podcast examines the influential era of MP3 blogs in hip-hop between 2007 and 2012, when artists leveraged the power of the internet to connect with a broader audience and achieve commercial success outside of traditional channels. The series captures the impact of these amateur publications and their transformative influence on the culture.

When she's not dropping certified bangers with JT, Yung Miami holds it down on her hit podcast, where she chats with hip-hop and R&B heavy hitters like Summer Walker, Megan Thee Stallion, Trina, G Herbo and Latto. The vibrant podcast host leaves no stone unturned during these sprawling convos with her peers and other industry figures, from gossip and behind-the-scenes secrets to intimate details about relationships, careers and mental health.

But her hosting stint may not have come to fruition without the laser instincts of Diddy. After checking out Caresha's appearance on an episode of Justin Laboy and Justin Combs' podcast "Respectfully Justin," the music mogul was charmed by her responses and approached her about hosting her own show on his Revolt podcast network.

The show's premiere episode was released on YouTube in late 2022, where it broke viewership records with nearly 2 million views within 24 hours of its release.

When Jazzie Belle wanted to empower women by spotlighting their voices and fostering self-sufficiency and confidence.

"The premise of the show is to shed light on the influence, the impact and the talent from women within the culture — especially for women who are doing great in a male-dominated industry to tell their story and to inspire other women to inspire other women," Belle told Vibe.

The long-running podcast has welcomed an impressive lineup of guests, including Da Brat, Roxanne Shanté, Rapsody, Latto and Gangsta Boo, as well as multi-platinum R&B sensation Faith Evans and media powerhouse Wendy Williams.

Who better to explore the birth of hip-hop than one of its very own pioneers? Hip-hop icon Chuck D has teamed up with Audible for a new podcast series called "Can You Dig It?" Premiering this month, in celebration of hip-hop's 50th birthday, the five-episode series dives into the culture's origins in the Bronx during the early 1970s.

Narrated by Chuck D, "Can You Dig It?" combines scripted scenes with insights from street photographers, emcees and former Black Panthers. The audio documentary explores the stories of those who shaped hip-hop's early days, shedding light on their essential contributions to the genre's global impact.

The series will spotlight the story of Cornell "Black Benjie" Benjamin's murder, which led to a historic peace meeting on Hoe Avenue that united rival gangs in the South Bronx. This truce created a safer, more closely-knit community, paving the way for DJ Kool Herc's bash on Aug. 13, 1973, at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, widely considered the birthplace of hip-hop.

Music enthusiast and prolific creator Questlove is out to spread the good word about the artists who excite him in this weekly podcast co-hosted by Team Supreme: Phonte, Unpaid Bill, Suga Steve, Laiya St. Clair and Boss Bill.

This music lover's paradise features interviews with a range of acts and music legends and a stacked lineup of the hip-hop elite, including Q-Tip, Jermaine Dupri, Ice-T, DJ Drama, Pete Rock and DJ Quik.

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As 20-piece K-pop collective NCT release their fourth full-length album, 'Golden Age,' take a deep dive into the NCT universe with all six iterations of the group.

When NCT released their debut album, NCT 2018 Empathy, an accompanying documentary video mapped out what connects all of its pieces. "NCT shares dreams," utters a voice in English, with another adding in Mandarin, "The tones become one and become music."

This comprehensive scope — where "openness" and "expandability" are the main principles — began developing in January 2016. Then, SM Entertainment founder Lee Soo-man announced the origin of a mega-ensemble called Neo Culture Technology that would have an ever-growing number of members organized under different units with the objective of transforming into a global entity. In the spring of that year, the first iteration, NCT U, debuted with "The 7th Sense," setting the rollout for the subgroups NCT 127, NCT Dream and WayV.

Fast forward to present times, and this supergroup has become one of the most influential K-pop acts in the industry. Currently, there are 20 active members highly skilled in a diverse amount of fields, and each NCT ramification — now six in total — stands out with a unique identity. The entire NCT collective has also teamed up for full-length productions (2018's Empathy, 2020's NCT 2020 Resonance, 2021's Universe, and the newly minted Golden Age), showcasing the full extent of their potency.

Considering all of this, 2023 has been a transitional year. NCT Dream and NCT 127 concluded their first world tours since the Coronavirus pandemic hit; WayV had its first ventures outside Asia; NCT DoJaeJung was formed; and leader Taeyong debuted as the first official NCT soloist. But most notably, SM Entertainment ended the group's endless expansion, with the upcoming NCT Tokyo being the last subgroup joining the juggernaut.

To celebrate the Aug. 28 release of NCT's fourth studio album, Golden Age, GRAMMY.com breaks down every permutation existing within the NCT system.

As NCT's first subunit, NCT U is considered the core of the intricate engine that binds the supergroup's system. Its constitution is multifaceted and malleable, embodying the premise of all that is the world of Neo Culture Technology, a dominion where the possibilities are infinite.

This extension operates as a nexus where the presence and number of members vary depending on the conceptual choices for each release, opening the door to countless alliances that flaunt their artistic agility. The "U" of its name means "United" — referring to the link between the NCT family.

In early April 2016, the initial lineup of NCT U — Taeyong, Ten, Doyoung, Jaehyun, and Mark — released its debut single "The 7th Sense"; later comebacks like "Baby Don't Stop" and "BOSS" now exist as some of the best songs K-pop has offered in recent years. For Golden Age, this first combination of NCT U got together once again for the record's title track "Baggy Jeans."

By taking Seoul, South Korea, as their base of operations, NCT 127 — its name representing the longitude coordinates of this capital city — have made headway in the world of K-pop as an overwhelming force. For the nine-member contingent (Taeyong, Taeil, Johnny, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Mark, and Haechan) maximalism is a major part of their artistry, and their stage power is nothing short of exciting.

It all starts, of course, with a catalog heavily rooted in EDM and hip-hop, sometimes laced with irresistible R&B transitions that emphasize the shapeshifting eccentricity of their soundscape. The 2016 debut single "Fire Truck" activated this distinctive (and often divisive) music style that eventually stretched to achieve mainstream acknowledgment. But don't be fooled — the group also know how to tap into the luscious side of things (think 2017's "Sun & Moon" and 2019's "Highway to Heaven").

With the release of their second full-length project, NCT #127 Neo Zone — The 2nd Album, in 2020, NCT 127 cemented their position in the upper echelons of K-pop; the album sold a little over million copies, a first for any NCT division. But their next productions, 2021's "Sticker" and 2022's "2 Baddies," proved to be even bigger, both commercially and sonically — they each surpassed 2 million sales, and the booming experimentation continued pushing boundaries.

Just when you think NCT 127 is living in their zenith, they keep bringing surprises to the game. And they will likely do it again with their fifth full-length album, Fact Check, which is slated for Oct. 6.

Youthful, captivating and graciously irreverent, NCT Dream is composed of Mark, Renjun, Jeno, Haechan, Chenle, Jaemin, and Jisung. They entered the K-pop landscape hoverboarding (literally) in 2016 with their debut single "Chewing Gum," a joyful vignette of their budding talent.

Originally devised to be both an entry and a nonpermanent harbor for the freshest recruits until they reach the age of 19, NCT Dream had its graduation system dissolved by SM Entertainment in 2020, thus earning a fixed status. Then, Mark Lee — the group's leader and the only member who left — returned for the arrival of NCT 2020 Resonance, where the song "Déjà Vu" saw the septet reunited after almost two years. It was a moment of equal happiness for the fans and the members, as the looming uncertainty of the group's fate vanished.

And as The Dreamies (as they're affectionately called) matured, so did their music. The aural landscape evolved from ebullient teen pop to an adventurous blend of hip-hop and R&B steered by their vocal prowess, resulting in a formula that has paid off. NCT Dream's first studio album, 2021's Hot Sauce, gave them the title of "million-sellers," a milestone replicated in subsequent projects "Hello Future," Glitch Mode, "Beatbox," and their latest full-length venture, ISTJ, which was released on July 17.

In NCT's oneiric cosmos, WayV (an abbreviation of "We Are Your Vision") is a subgroup whose identity stems from an amalgamation of C-pop and K-pop. Its artistic components fuse Mandarin, Korean and English to navigate lyrical tales threaded with blaze and fantasy, all while bending the frontiers of time. "I finally saw the light hidden behind the darkness," they sing in their 2020 single "Kick Back." "After deciding on the final truth / Unfold the secret of time again."

Formed by Kun, Ten, Xiaojun, WinWin, Hendery, and YangYang, this China-focused iteration debuted in January 2019 with "Regular," the lead song of their first single album, "The Vision." Since their conception, WayV have molded a niche of entrancing, genre-defying music, and B-sides like "Love Talk," "Electric Hearts," or "After Midnight" showcase said idiosyncrasy. Within their lineup, the subunits WayV-TEN&YANGYANG and WayV-KUN&XIAOJUN also inject inventiveness to their repertoire, proving they're authentic chameleons.

At the tail end of 2022, the sextet unveiled Phantom, their fourth EP that marked the conclusion of a two-year lethargy, and a new beginning where they stand stronger than before.

While sonic risks permeate as the key ingredients across all the NCT branches (mainly in their title tracks), this trio — made of vocalists Doyoung, Jaehyun and Jungwoo — found its footing in more conservative territories. The creative direction is nectarous and seductive, dabbling with motifs of longing and romance.

The development of NCT DoJaeJung was previewed in October 2022 during NCT 127's concert tour Neo City – The Link, but the official outset happened last April with their first EP, Perfume. The six-track mini album shines a light on the three members' voices that dazzle over classic cuts of R&B, with the eponymous lead single being the climax. This is a mere taste of what these guys can offer, and a prologue for more alluring releases to come.

With the concept of NCT's unlimited expansion reaching its final phase, SM Entertainment also announced the formation of one last subgroup — tentatively named NCT Tokyo.

This ramification already includes Sion and Yushi, members of the pre-debut team known as SM Rookies, who were presented to the public last June and will be completed by aspiring idols selected through the reality show "NCT Universe: LASTART."

As of press time, the competition is ongoing and features trainees from Japan and South Korea challenging missions to display their range of abilities. Throughout the episodes, they are being mentored by different SM artists, and at the end of each round, evaluations come courtesy of K-pop legends BoA, Super Junior's Eunhyuk and vocal trainer Jang Jinyoung. The debut date of NCT Tokyo is yet to be determined, but it will surely serve as a dynamic addition to the NCT universe.

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Photos: Courtesy of the artist; Courtesy of Simone Torres; Courtesy of Róndine Alcalá; Victor Torres

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Celebrating the achievements of professional women excelling in the fields of arts and Latin entertainment, Leading Ladies Of Entertainment will take place during Latin GRAMMY Week 2023 in Sevilla (Andalusia), Spain, on Monday, Nov. 13.

Seven years ago, the Latin Recording Academy developed an initiative to honor and recognize professional and socially-conscious women within the arts and Latin entertainment fields. Today, the organization has announced its 2023 Leading Ladies Of Entertainment honorees, each of whom have made significant contributions and inspired the next generation of female leaders.

This year's honorees are:

Róndine Alcalá: Founder of RondenePR, a music and entertainment public relations firm

Mon Laferte: Singer/songwriter, multiple Latin GRAMMY winner and GRAMMY nominee

Simone Torres: GRAMMY-nominated engineer and vocal producer

Ana Villacorta López: SVP Marketing and Promotion at Sony Music Entertainment Mexico

A private ceremony and luncheon celebrating the Leading Ladies' efforts will be held in Sevilla (Andalusia), Spain, on Monday, Nov. 13, as part of the marquee events for Latin GRAMMY Week 2023.

"This diverse group of outstanding and successful women have made great contributions to Latin music," Latin Recording Academy CEO Manuel Abud said. "We are proud to celebrate them with this and other initiatives that seek to promote gender parity and honor the important role women play in the entertainment industry."

El Corte Inglés, Viñas Familia Gil and Noteable by Spotify for Artists join the celebration as official sponsors; and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports of the Junta de Andalucía, with co-financing from European Funds, joins as institutional partner.

For the third year, Notable will be making another special scholarship donation to the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation's Scholarship Fund in support of future Latin music makers.

Forging opportunities for future generations is a core pillar of the program, and Leading Ladies of Entertainment has partnered with She Is The Music — a global nonprofit working to increase the number of women in music — and the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on a collaborative mentorship program. Past Leading Ladies honorees will be invited to mentor a She Is The Music mentee. The partnership will build on last year's Leading Ladies Connect TogetHER Mentorship Program.Applications for the Leading Ladies of Entertainment Connect TogetHER Mentorship Program are now open through Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. E.T. Apply to the mentorship program now and read the guidelines. For any additional questions, email [email protected].

Learn more about the Latin Recording Academy’s 2023 Leading Ladies of Entertainment honorees below:

Róndine Alcalá:

Róndine Alcalá, founder and owner of Rondene PR, started her career in public relations while working for international artist Luis Miguel in 1999 on his "Amarte Es Un Placer" world tour. Shortly after that she worked as senior publicist for a renowned PR firm in Los Angeles, where she developed and managed campaigns for superstars such as Alejandro Sanz, Shakira, Maná, Robi Draco Rosa, Enrique Iglesias, Ricardo Arjona, Sin Bandera, Alejandro Fernández and Julieta Venegas. Originally from Venezuela, Alcalá has contributed to the careers of global artists such as Ricky Martin, Juan Luis Guerra, Laura Pausini, Los Temerarios, Luis Fonsi, Soraya, Natalia Lafourcade, Pablo Alborán, Jesse & Joy and Camilo, as well as served corporate clients, at her own firm. Mon Laferte:

Inside Norma Monserrat Bustamante Laferte also lives singer/songwriter and visual artist Mon Laferte. She began her career de ella performing popular songs in the streets of Viña del Mar, on the central Chilean coast, during her adolescence. This growth continued in Mexico, a country that welcomed her with open arms and where she was able to independently release her first two albums of hers, Desechable and Tornasol. A few years would pass before the arrival of the acclaimed Mon Laferte Vol.1 , an album with which she conquered not only an increasingly loyal, affectionate and large audience, but also several Latin GRAMMY nominations. New songs continued to appear over the years, until the 2021 release of the GRAMMY-nominated 1940 Carmen , her seventh album, as well as its predecessor Seis . Mon Laferte is an artist with a vision that goes beyond genres and ways of making music. This experimentation, overcoming the fear of trial and error, perseverance and, of course, her de ella talent, have made her one of the most beloved and influential Latin American female artists in the world.Simone Torres:

GRAMMY and Diamond Award-nominated engineer and vocal producer Simone Torres has worked on records for artists like Cardi B, Camila Cabello, Becky G and Anitta. Some notable accomplishments include vocal producing Normani's "Motivation" and engineering Cardi B's "I Like It" and "Be Careful." Recently she's worked with Becky G on multiple records including her latest single "La Nena." She believes that her role de ella is to help bridge the gap between the technical and the creative aspects of making music. A Berklee College of Music graduate, Torres is known for her deft touch when it comes to vocal production. Beyond the studio, she works with organizations to create safe spaces that foster young women and gender expansive folks seeking music careers. Ana Villacorta López:

Ana Villacorta López joined the music entertainment industry in 1981. After a brief stint at RCA, she worked for over a decade at EMI, primarily as Director of International Development in Spain. In 1993 she assumed the position of Regional Marketing Director at EMI and moved to Mexico. Five years later she joined BMG as Marketing Director of Ariola. After the merger with Sony, she took over as Marketing Director, and in 2015 she returned to Mexico as Senior Vice President. She has accompanied many artists in their careers, including Rocío Durcal, Julio Iglesias, Héroes del Silencio, Thalía, Fito Páez, Tony Bennett, Maná, One Direction, Vicente Fernández, Joaquín Sabina, Joan Manuel Serrat, Reik, Carlos Rivera and Camila.About She Is The Music:She Is The Music (SITM) is a global nonprofit working to increase the number of women in music and transform the gender landscape of the industry. Operating as a unifying network for the music business and beyond, SITM provides resources and support for female-focused initiatives, both through their own programs as well as external efforts worldwide. A first-of-its-kind collaboration, SITM is powered by industry-wide representation: creators, publishers, record labels, talent agencies, management companies, industry groups, think tanks, media companies, streaming services and more. Entertainment Industry Foundation serves as a partner. For more information, visit sheisthemusic.org.

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