Rosalía is a Spanish singer-songwriter who gained fame mixing flamenco with pop and urban music. This mix is prominent in hits like “MALAMENTE” and “Aute Cuture,” while others like “De Plata” and “QUE NO SALGA LA LUNA” have a more pure flamenco sound. Rosalía has collaborated with artists such as Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Travis Scott and most recently, The Weeknd. So yeah, she’s a baddie.

You already know I’m biased, but Rosalía is excellent. Her music is fresh, it’s catchy and it slips Spanish folklore into the changing landscape of pop, while her acapella live vocals will leave you speechless and in awe of her raw talent. Whenever I listen to Rosi, I am transported.

Similarly, many Sephardic artists have been heavily influenced by flamenco, like Sarah Aroeste’s newest cover of “Ocho Kandelikas” or Jorge Mehaudy’s “Buena Semana”. Now, you can understand how my music sessions can transition from Sech to Sephardic folk in just less than an hour. Rosalía is the bridge. She is my bridge.

Ladino–or Judeo-Spanish–is a Romance Language developed from Old Spanish and originally spoken by Sephardic Jews in Spain, and later throughout Europe and Morocco after the Edict of Expulsion. My connection to Spain is tied to my own Sephardic roots, and Ladino music was an integral part in the soundtrack of my formative years. It still is.

Listening to Rosalia sends my imagination into a frenzy. If only I could hear her sing “Hija Mia” or “La Rosa Enflorece”. Just picture it. And I know what you’re thinking, but Rosalía would not be the first non-Jewish artist to make a splash in the world of Sephardic music. Joaquin Diaz’s records of Sephardic music are classics, and Dafné Kritharas’ rendition of “Sien Drahmas” is heartbreakingly perfect.

So Rosalía, in the slightest chance that you are reading this, sing with us! Help us bring awareness to an endangered Jewish language and put it at the forefront. And most importantly, let’s create something beautiful.

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The following is by far the most exciting and important celebrity interview we have ever scored: Grover.  Granted, he is my favorite Sesame Street character, and I am the proud new father of a two-and-a-half month old baby boy, but still – I challenge you to think of a more timeless living subject.  Naturally, I compiled a list of the 300 or so most important questions I have always wanted to ask Grover.  How has he sustained his fame?  How often does he wash his fur?  What did he do for Passover this year?  How come the 1983 LP “The Best of Grover” has seven songs on the first side and eight on the other?  Did he realize how mind boggling that was to someone who was just learning to count when he recorded it?  The list goes on…

When I was informed that I unfortunately would not be able to hang out with Grover for the full week I had requested, I decided to focus on Grover 2011.  Enjoy!

Jacob: Who is your favorite celebrity?

Grover: It is so hard to choose a favorite when I have met so many nice and wonderful people at Sesame Street and Rechov Sumsum.  You know who was really funny? Jake Gyllenhaal.  He hid the Afikomen and then forgot where he hid it. Sounds like something your cute and furry pal Grover would do, no? At least we are both loveable.

Who was the tallest celebrity you met?

I would have to say my new friend Amar’e Stoudemire is the tallest celebrity, maybe even the tallest person I have ever met!  Amar’e and I played some hoops in The Arbor at Sesame Street! I am pretty sure I surprised him with my sweet moves. Look out New York. Here comes Grover, baby!

Were you surprised he/she was so tall?

I was very surprised!  And Amar’e was impressed by my beautiful and luxurious blue fur.  Wouldn’t it be funny if I was his height and he had my color fur?

Speaking of which, how tall are you?

It is not the size of the monster that counts. All that matters is that I am very cute, very furry, and very blue. I am a monster of perfect proportions!

If you could have dinner with any celebrity couple, who it be and why?

I would have dinner with Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs and I would take them to my favorite place, Charlie’s Restaurant. And seeing as how I also happen to be a very talented waiter, I would take the pleasure of serving us myself!  I know they are allergic to chicken and shrimp from when they last visited Sesame Street so I will be sure to keep them away.

Has Super Grover ever met Superman?

Hmmmmm, that is a good question. Super Grover has never met Superman, but I am sure that if we do meet, we will have a lot of super important, super-secret things to talk about.

Do you follow any celebrities on Twitter?

You can check me and my furry and feathered friends out in all our 140 character glory, coming to you live from Hooper’s Store. Being a waiter, a superhero, a global traveler and a loveable monster takes up a lot of my time so I have not had time to peruse other pages yet.

Shalom Sesame is now available on DVD.  Check out awesome new clips on YouTube.

All images used by permission, TM and © 2011 Sesame Workshop. All Rights Reserved.

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