Jon Batiste Brings Down The House With Extraordinary Grammy Performance
Grammy award-winning artist Jon Batiste put on an infectious performance at the the 64th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday (April 3). Commanding the stage with his talents, the most-nominated entertainer at the show performed his record-winning single, “Freedom.”
At the beginning of his performance Batiste effortlessly played the keys at a grand piano showing off his range and command before taking the stage with an energetic band and choir. The captivating pastel-colored backdrop was the perfect set-up as Batiste moved and danced about.
Soon moving into the crowd, he called on the audience to stand-up and dance alongside him and his dancers. Batiste ended his performance atop of Billie Eilish’s table and left the audience electrified while receiving a warm round of applause.
Batiste would later take home the Album of the Year award at the 2022 show for his 13-play project, We Are. He is the first Black artist to score the golden gramophone in 14 years.
“I focused on love and freedom when making this album. I just wanted to give some good ole Black joy to the world. My other focus is family, my mom, my grandfather who is 90, my dad, my sister, and everyone is here,” he said reacting to his Grammy win, in The Recording Academy’s press room. “I wasn't prepared to win 'Album of the Year, but I hope this resonates with the young people to be yourself.”
For this years show, the “Album of The Year” award nominees included Kanye West’s Donda, Taylor Swift’s Evermore, H.E.R.’s Back of My Mind, Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever, and Lil Nas X’s Montero.
“I just put my head down and I work on my craft every day. I love music. I’ve been playing since I was a little boy,” Baptiste, appearing overwhelmed by the honor, said in his acceptance speech. “It’s more than entertainment for me. It’s a spiritual practice.”
Batiste was nominated in 11 categories at the Grammys and also took home awards for “Best Music Video” (“Freedom”), “Best American Roots Performance” (“Cry”), “Best American Roots Song” (“Cry”), and “Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media” (for the Disney Pixar film Soul).
