Mzansi Youth Choir and Jon Batiste Found Perfect Harmony on AGT Finale: Watch
Mzansi Youth Choir joined forces with Jon Batiste to bring joy on AGT's Season 18 finale.
The Mzansi Youth Choir had a famous addition to their string of voices during Wednesday night’s (September 27) finale of America’s Got Talent.
Grammy-winning singer Jon Batiste joined the South African group to sing his song "Worship" from his new album, World Music Radio.
Mzansi Youth Choir and Jon Batiste on AGT
The joyful duet had the crowd on their feet as the choir, all dressed in green, danced and sang to the upbeat new hit. It was the perfect expression of celebration.
Bringing the emotion is nothing new for Mzansi Youth Choir, who delivered a powerful Audition at the start of AGT.
The South African choir performed a cover of Jane “Nightbirde” Marczewski’s original song, “It’s OK.” Nightbirde performed the song during the Season 16 Auditions as she was battling cancer that had spread to her lungs, liver and spine. Nightbirde earned the Golden Buzzer from Judge Simon Cowell, but was later forced to withdraw from the competition due to her health. She passed away in February 2022.
The choir, who overcame their own hurdles to get where they are today, was “inspired and touched” by the song and recorded a cover before Nightbirde’s death. The songstress even heard the song and “responded so beautifully” before she passed away.
To honor her legacy and the song’s message of resilience, the youth choir performed an incredibly moving tribute, dressed in white.
Cowell was so moved, it brought him to tears.
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“I know how much this would have — would have meant to her,” he said as his voice broke. “Right until the end, she was so passionate about sharing her music, and this has gone all over the world, and you come back here with the most amazing tribute.”
After seeing the emotional response of the crowd, Cowell decided to bestow the first-ever extra Golden Buzzer in honor of the fans.
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The group's finale collaborator, Jon Batiste, started playing drums in his family’s band at the age of 8, according to Forbes. His latest album World Music Radio, released earlier this year, features collaborations with Lana Del Rey, Lil Wayne, Kenny G, and JID.
