The Grammy Award for Best New Artist is probably the most exciting part of the popular music ceremony in the world. It is assumed that the nominees in this category will be singers and groups that have not previously "shone" in the international arenas for performances. However, in 2020, the number of lucky people who received a ticket of a possible winner of the award included the Black Pumas group.
This is a team created by a man who already has one Grammy award. This article will focus on the Black Pumas group - the very guys who conquered the world with their amazing music.
The beginning of the history of the Black Pumas group
2017 Grammy-winning guitarist, producer Adrian Quesada recorded several instrumental compositions in the studio. Then I started looking for a good vocalist. The nominee and winner of the largest music award in the world knew many good artists. But none of them fit, he wanted "something else."
After a few weeks of minor auditions, Adrian turned to his friends in London and Los Angeles. However, even there, the artist could not find the desired talent. During the time that Adrian was writing music, looking for suitable vocals, Eric Burdon moved to Texas. The young artist, born in San Fernando and raised in the church, was very interested in the musical theater scene.
Eric made his living traveling to the Santa Monica resort piers, where he performed and made several hundred dollars a night. In the future, Eric completed his journey through the Western United States. He decided to stay in Austin - the city where Adrian recorded his beautiful parts, but without vocals.
After some time, Adrian and Eric found each other. A mutual friend mentioned the name Burdon to the famous guitarist. He noted that the guy has the best voice of all he had previously heard. The two musicians teamed up and started working on a new record.
First successes
The result of the first fruitful cooperation of partners is the debut album released under the Black Pumas label. The album of the same name became the most anticipated project of the year, and after its release, the artists won the Best New Band of the Year nomination from the Austin Music Awards 2019.
The band's debut was mentioned in many critical publications, whose editors praised the record in their own way. Pitch Fork hailed the artists for their "sweet voice" and "terrific, tight-weave rhythm." The most popular tracks in the first Black Pumas album include Colors, Fire and Black Moon Rising.
Adrian Quesada is a truly legendary guitarist and producer. The artist, winner of one Grammy Award, initially knew what he was going to. The created team was a means of obtaining the second prestigious award.
Adrian has a famous musical experience - years of playing in the Grupo Fantasma band. As well as long performances as part of the Brownout group, joint performances with famous artists.
Unlike a producer, Burdon is new to the professional music scene. The 30-year-old boy, whose career began in the church choir, did not even dream of achieving success. However, Eric quickly settled into the international arena, improving his vocal abilities.
Today
Now Black Pumas is a young, confident, very popular band, recognized by listeners and critics around the world. The team still includes 42-year-old Adrian Quesada and 30-year-old Eric Burdon. The artists have a mutual understanding, and now they only work together.
Unfortunately, the original plans for the Grammy Awards in 2019 were missed. The Black Pumas group, which competed with such famous artists as Billy Eilish, Lil Nas X, Lizzo, Maggie Rogers, Rosalia, was among the nominees who did not receive the award winner status.
However, the absence of the award did not affect the work of the team. According to the latest data, the band is working on a new album, which will be released at the end of 2020.
From the interviews of Adrian and Eric, it can be understood that the artists found a common language, explaining this by a mystical and close connection. According to Adrian, he felt this state from the first listening to Burdon's voice.
The first time Eric sang a song for a guitarist was over the phone. The producer, who was advised by the guy as "who he was looking for", was amazed by the guy's talent. Professionalism, mutual understanding, support and true empathy are the feelings that make the Black Pumas group develop to new heights.
Despite the fact that the team lasted only a few years, the artists have already managed to know the charms of fame. Today, the “fans” of this composition include millions of listeners - people located all over the world.
