In celebration of Pride Month, the GRAMMY Museum and Ally Coalition are thrilled to present a panel about the making of Red Hot + Free, including Album Producer/A&R Bill Coleman and artists Allie X, Sam Sparro, and Ultra Naté. The conversation will be moderated by legendary music journalist Chuck Arnold. Red Hot + Free, out July 2, is a liberating mixtape of dance beats, electro grooves and global anthems meant to feed souls, lift spirits and unleash minds from an unprecedented state of lockdown. The album features artists including Billy Porter, Sofi Tukker x Amadou & Mariam, Sam Sparro, Vagabon, Allie X, Louis The Child & Foster The People, Ultra Naté, and more. Like all of Red Hot’s previous projects – which span 20 LPs, 500+ collaborations and over $15 million donated to charities around the world – Red Hot + Free will benefit marginalized communities affected by the disease, as Red Hot continues to set the precedent for artistic activism not only in the wake of HIV/AIDS, but now COVID-19.

Bill Coleman:

As a revered journalist, producer, manager, DJ, label owner, music supervisor, love addict, healer and more, endless multi-hyphenate Bill Coleman has been programming the tastes of New York City nightlife for the past three decades. Renowned for his acute ear and eclectic expertise, he currently serves as the creative force behind Brooklyn-based entertainment company Peace Bisquit, where he’s worked with everyone from Beyoncé to amFar, Bette Midler, Bravo, David Guetta, ESG, Lady Gaga, Lincoln Center, Lizzo, Neneh Cherry, Radiohead, RuPaul and more.

Allie X:

With over a quarter billion streams globally, Allie X has amassed a cult following for her glassine goth-pop style. Her latest album, "Cape God,” is continuing to soar with hit tracks like “Love Me Wrong (feat. Troye Sivan)" and “Susie Save Your Love (feat. Mitski ).” She’s played sold out shows across North America, Latin America, and Europe and toured the world with pop-star counterparts like Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, and MARINA. Known for her bold visual style and her gaudy-goth-pop sound, Allie X is a master curator, creative directing every aspect of her project from hand picking her photographers, directors, fashion and glam teams, to editing her own videos. This singularity has attracted much attention from the fashion world, where she has attended Paris Fashion Week, been covered by Vogue, and formed relationships with some of the world's most incredible designers (Iris Van Herpen, Margiela, Olivier Theyskens, Lanvin). Allie continues to be an outspoken ally for the LGBTQ+ community, sponsoring and spearheading charity events, playing pride festivals across the globe, and continuing to speak out and use her platform to fight injustices and empower LGBT youth. Allie also appeared as the guest judge on Canada's Drag Race (Season 1).

Sam Sparro:

Born in Sydney and raised in Los Angeles, Sam Sparro is a singer, songwriter and music producer. His releases include the GRAMMY-Nominated, Multi-Platinum single ‘Black and Gold’, the number 1 single “Happiness” and the albums Sam Sparro and Return to Paradise. He has previously collaborated with Mark Ronson, Adela, Kylie Minogue, Aluna George, Basement Jaxx, Nile Rodgers and Adam Lambert, among others. He has been nominated for five ARIA Music awards (Australia’s GRAMMY equivalent), and won a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Artist as well as the GQ Man of Style award. He has performed at Glastonbury, Coachella and Lovebox among other festivals and stages around the world. In 2016 he released the final EP in a 3 part series, “Quantum Physical Vol 1, 2 & 3”. Sam has recently completed recording his third full length album.

Ultra Naté:

Ultra Naté is a world-renowned singer, songwriter, DJ, producer, label owner and promoter. She has released nine studio LPs [1990-2017] and travels the globe performing and spinning live for a variety of audiences. From horse races and the fashion elite to house parties and dance festivals. Her spirited presence has graced the stages of New York's massive Summer Stage in Central Park, Nile Rodgers acclaimed FOLD Festival sharing the stage with the likes of CHIC, Duran Duran, Pharrell and Beck to Lincoln Center’s annual Midnight Summer Swing and numerous Pride events around the World. Ultra is honored to be considered an icon of the Dance and LGBTQ communities worldwide. She was recently named one of Billboard Magazine’s "Greatest of All Time" *Top Dance Artists (#12) along with having three entries in the industry bible’s respective “Greatest Of All Time” *Top 10 Dance Club Songs including the perennial, platinum-selling #1 anthem, “Free.”