YouTube and the U.S. State Department announced a partnership to launch the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, appointing 12 diverse American musicians as Global Music Ambassadors. The program leverages music’s universal appeal to foster international understanding and peace.

The ambassadors include a mix of established and emerging artists across various genres:

• Armani White – a 27-year-old rapper known for “happy hood music”
• BRELAND – a country artist focused on genre-blending and storytelling
• Chuck D – Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and co-founder of Public Enemy
• Denyce Graves – an opera singer and founder of the Denyce Graves Foundation
• Grace Bowers – an emerging performer who debuted at Newport Folk Festival in 2023
• Herbie Hancock – a renowned jazz pianist and composer
• Jelly Roll – a Grammy-nominated country singer
• Justin Tranter – a Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer
• Kane Brown – a multi-platinum-selling country artist
• Lainey Wilson – a Grammy-winning country singer-songwriter
• Teddy Swims – a rising pop artist currently on a world tour

The initiative plans to invest in micro-grants, use music for language learning, support creative economies worldwide, and leverage global events to promote unity through music.

YouTube, as a global music platform, will amplify the ambassadors’ voices and activities. The company states in the announcement that this partnership is just the beginning of a larger effort to use music as a tool for international diplomacy.

The ambassadors have expressed enthusiasm for their roles, with many highlighting music’s power to connect cultures. BRELAND shares his journey from a childhood fascination with global cultures to becoming an international artist. Chuck D emphasizes his commitment to using music to inspire positive change, while Teddy Swims advocates for “building longer tables, not taller fences.”