Today marks the unveiling of WE ARE: THE DELUXE EDITION (Verve Records/ Universal Music Canada, the country's leading music company) from Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe winning artist and activist Jon Batiste. The incredibly musically diverse set debuts six new tracks, including collaborations with Tori Kelly, BJ The Chicago Kid, Abi Bernadoth, Big Chief Romeo and Big Freedia.
On the original version of WE ARE, released earlier this year, Batiste presented a captivating musical love letter to his southern roots and the heritage of Black Music, with special guests that include Mavis Staples, Quincy Jones, Zadie Smith, PJ Morton, Trombone Shorty, St Augustine Marching 100, his father Michael Batiste, grandfather David Gauthier and many more.
Now, Batiste continues the celebration by bringing in new artistic voices to the musical revelry, including singer Tori Kelly, who joins Batiste on the inspirational ballad “SING,” and BJ The Chicago Kid who joins Jon on the D’Angelo-infused “ADULTHOOD.” Big Freedia lends her joyful bounce to “FREEDOM,” “an exhilarating…celebration of independence” (Entertainment Weekly) and French star Abi Bernadoth joins Batiste on his empowering anthem “WE ARE.” Several new songs, including “WORK IT OUT” and “TELL THE TRUTH” – Uptown Remix – originally released on Batiste’s Record Store Day piece from 2020 – make their streaming and digital debut today.
Earlier this year the musician’s hit song “I NEED YOU” reached #1 on the AAA Radio Charts and his album WE ARE debuted in the Billboard Top R&B Charts, Top Album Charts, and Top 200. His “I NEED YOU” music video has surpassed 13MM views, and he’s appeared on American Idol, Live with Kelly and Ryan, The Today Show, The Late Late Show with James Corden, CBS This Morning as guest and co-host, and of course the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Most recently, Jon Batiste continued his breakout year with amazing and much talked about performances at Global Citizen Live and the Emmy Awards as well as an appearance at the Tony Awards.
WE ARE: THE DELUXE EDITION TRACK LIST:
- I NEED YOU
- FREEDOM
- CRY
- BOY HOOD
- SING Feat. Tori Kelly
- WE ARE
- ADULTHOOD Feat. BJ The Chicago Kid
- WHATCHUTALKINBOUT
- MAVIS
- FREEDOM Bounce Remix Feat. Big Freedia
- TELL THE TRUTH
- UNTIL
- TELL THE TRUTH - Uptown Remix Feat. Big Chief Romeo of the 9th Ward Hunters, Michael Batiste, Mardi Gras Indian Show
- MOVEMENT 11’
- WORK IT OUT
- ADULTHOOD
- SHOW ME THE WAY
- SING
- WE ARE Feat. Abi Bernadoth