"All our stories have songs" w. Babatunde Akinboboye (PART 1)
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Babatunde Akinboboye, known online as @babatundehiphopera, became a viral sensation when he started blending his lifelong love of hip-hop with his budding interest in opera. Today, he's built a multi-faceted career that gives him the best of the concert hall and the digital stage. In this candid convo with host Khadija Mbowe, Babatunde talks about overcoming preconceived notions, stepping into his full identity through music, and feeling profound, glowing alignment.
Chapters
[00:00] Introduction
[01:22 ] How Babatunde parlayed his love of hip-hop into singing opera, and viral content.
[04:22] Cross-cultural upbringing
[05:20] Getting peer-pressured into men's choir
[08:08] What does alignment feel like?
[10:27] Creating a home in his art
[13:00] Social media origins and evolution
[18:00] Trade-offs between stage and screen
[20:49] How his Nigerian mother changed her tune about his career choice
[22:51] What music was in the house growing up?
[28:17] In-depth lightning round
Music from this episode
Babatunde Akinboboye, Avant ~upcoming~
Babatunde Akinboboye, Cortigiani (Rigoletto) from Della Citta EP
Babatunde Akinboboye, Largo (Figaro) from Della Citta EP
Babatunde Akinboboye, Tanti Beat
Links from this episode:
Babatunde's website: https://www.babatundebaritone.com/
@Babatundehiphopera on TikTok, IG, and Facebook
Babatunde's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F07VAXKXGWE
What's that white song that gets you turned up?: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1294117107744192/
Babatunde x Kendrick Lamar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F07VAXKXGWE
The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts’s HearTOGETHER podcast is generously supported by lead corporate sponsor Accordant Advisors. Additional major support has been provided by the Otto Haas Charitable Trust.