Jon Batiste New Album 'World Music Radio' Explained, Collaborators Announced

Jon Batiste announced that he would be rolling out his next album.

Titled "World Music Radio," Jon Batiste's new album is set to hit the stands on Aug. 18, 2023.

In a tweet, the singer announced who he will be collaborating with for "World Music Radio."

Jon Batiste New Album 2023 'World Music Radio'

Explaining his album in a thread on Twitter, Batiste revealed that "World Music Radio" is a concept album which had a creation that took place in the "interstellar regions of the universe."

According to the Grammy-winning singer, everyone who will listen will be wheeled by the traveling griot named Billy Bob bo Bob, who will transport listeners "sonically all around the world at the speed of light."

As to why he created the album, Batiste draw inspiration from a "feeling of liberation" in his life and a "renewed sense of exploration" on his personhood, craft, and the world around him.

"This new album will fill your soul, open your heart and stretch your mind while expanding your vision of popular art. We really wanted to re-examine and redefine terms like world music as they exist in the culture...(more on the later)" he wrote.

Jon Batiste New Album 'World Music Radio' Collaborators

According to Batiste, collaborations made his vision of "World Music Radio" a reality. Among the listed collaborators of his album were the following artists:

• Lana Del Rey

• Lil Wayne

• Kenny G

• Jon Bellion

• Fireboy DML

• JID

• New Jeans

• Leigh Anne-Pinnock

Like the musical savant that he is, Batiste, as mentioned by Billboard, wanted to intersect the idea of "world music" and "forge an international, cross-cultural community through different kinds of popular music from different regions around the world."

Jon Batiste New Song 'Calling Your Name'

Along with the announcement of his album came the lead single, "Calling Your Name." The song is already out on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

In 2022, Jon Batiste surprised everyone when he won Album of the Year for his critically-acclaimed album, "WE." After working as a musical director on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" for so long, Batiste eventually moved on and pursued a solo career. He has since received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, Grammy Award, and a BAFTA Film Award.

Tags

Jon Batiste, Lana Del Rey, Lil Wayne, Kenny G