Behind the Tunes of Radio’s Summer Update!
From 70’s R&B to West/East African fusion, these new hits are sure to get you in the summer groove.
Summer is here and we’re celebrating in Pok Pok with 2 new brand-new tunes in Radio!
In Radio, we love bringing music inspired by a range of eras and cultures. Since Pok Pok aims to offer kids mirrors and windows to our world, the rich storytelling aspect of music is one great way to do that!
So, what’s the story behind these two new songs?
First, we have a 70’s R&B tune that was inspired by the music our sound designer heard on AM radio as a kid running errands with his mom. We hope that the intertwining of its triumphant horns, groovy bassline, and playful flute gives you the uplifting feeling we associate with the summer season.
One example of a song that inspired this is Brenton Wood—The Oogum Boogum Song (1967)
70s R&B music not only provided a soundtrack to social change and cultural shifts but also contributed to the development of modern music genres. Its legacy continues to influence contemporary R&B and popular music today and we’re so excited to introduce little ones to these sounds.
The second track is inspired by the music of East and West Africa—most notably, the pop music of Eritrea! The West African influence can perhaps be heard most in the breakdown with the kora, a 21-string harp. Built from a halved gourd and covered with cow skin, the kora is such a unique instrument that it actually doesn’t fit into one category and must be classified as “double-bridge-harp-lute.”
A song that inspired this number is Alem Xaeri by Tesfai Nrea. Fun fact: it also has the same Boss DR-550 MkIl drum machine from the early 90’s that our sound designer used in the Radio song! He bought it a long time ago and was so thrilled to use it here.
Whether kids explore the unique sounds in Radio, visit the fair in Islands, try-on beach looks in Dress-Up or hit the dance floor in Town, there are so many ways to celebrate summer in the app. We hope that Pok Pok helps prepare your child for the season and all the new or beloved experiences that may come with it!
Open Pok Pok now to explore our new summer hits!
We’ve been so inspired by the unique approach of each child who plays with our toys and can’t wait to hear what families like yours think of this one. Receiving your feedback, videos and ideas for new updates is so important for the growth of Pok Pok so please say hello at hello@playpokpok.com or on social media @playpokpok.
Join our community to get insights from our educators and take a peek behind the scenes into our toy design process over on our Instagram and TikTok.
