Doctor Noize
Diversity
A group of well-established family music artists have joined forces on a new single called “Diversity,” released on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The collaboration pairs Alphabet Rockers (Oakland, CA), Doctor Noize (Lone Tree, CO), and Vivian Fang Liu (New York, NY), with filmmaker Sidney Cullinan directing the accompanying video.
Aimed at younger listeners, Diversity focusses on the idea of recognising and valuing differences in communities. The track features individual verses by each artist, written in their own musical style before everyone joins together for the grand, uplifting finale. Visually, the video is a great mix of live action and animation keeping the presentation simple and accessible for preschool and elementary aged children, speaking to them on their level without talking down to them, a very important skill and something that adds weight to the messaging of the song.
Aimed at younger listeners, Diversity focusses on the idea of recognising and valuing differences in communities. The track features individual verses by each artist, written in their own musical style before everyone joins together for the grand, uplifting finale. Visually, the video is a great mix of live action and animation keeping the presentation simple and accessible for preschool and elementary aged children, speaking to them on their level without talking down to them, a very important skill and something that adds weight to the messaging of the song.
Alphabet Rockers, Doctor Noize and Vivian Fang Liu all work in family music and arts education. Alphabet Rockers are Grammy and Emmy recognised for their work in inclusive music for children, Doctor Noize has an established catalogue and teaching profile, and Liu is known for her work as a pianist, vocalist and educator. Cullinan has directed projects for Grammy-winning artists and brings a film background to the release. As you can see, this isn't just a flash in the pan track but a group of highly skilled and talented musicians collaborating for a very important cause.
They chose to write and perform it in the style of Sesame Street which invokes nostalgia in adults and has the ability to cross cultural barriers and reach the minds of the youngsters it is targeted towards. Alphabet Rockers' Tommy Soulati Shepherd said “This song gives me deep roller skating through your neighbourhood on a sunny day waving at the folks as you roll by vibes. We can all use a lil bit of that in our lives right about now.”, I couldn't agree more.
The artists involved have described the project as an effort to present the idea of diversity in a straightforward and positive way at a time when the topic appears less frequently in classrooms and kids’ media. “Diversity” is available on major streaming platforms and YouTube, and is intended for classroom use as well as family listening.
They chose to write and perform it in the style of Sesame Street which invokes nostalgia in adults and has the ability to cross cultural barriers and reach the minds of the youngsters it is targeted towards. Alphabet Rockers' Tommy Soulati Shepherd said “This song gives me deep roller skating through your neighbourhood on a sunny day waving at the folks as you roll by vibes. We can all use a lil bit of that in our lives right about now.”, I couldn't agree more.
The artists involved have described the project as an effort to present the idea of diversity in a straightforward and positive way at a time when the topic appears less frequently in classrooms and kids’ media. “Diversity” is available on major streaming platforms and YouTube, and is intended for classroom use as well as family listening.