Yola shows, once again, what a wonderful voice she has as she sings the civil rights anthem ‘To Be Young, Gifted and Black’ on Late Night with Seth Meyers. There’s incredible emotion in the vocal and the performance. It was filmed at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium where she’ll make her headline debut on 11th May next year.
Yola describes the song and the experience of recording at the Ryman: “Playing ‘To Be Young, Gifted and Black’ means so much to me. I grew up with that song and it was the first time I felt a song was directed at me, in a world that didn’t represent me in any way. Playing in the Ryman is such an honour, the room sounds exquisite and is full of legendary energy. It felt meaningful singing those words in that venue, and to take up space in that way. I can not wait to headline in May 2021 – it’s been on my dream list since I first came to Nashville.”
2021 is going to be a huge year for Yola, who is also supporting Chris Stapleton on a tour that will take in Madison Square Garden. In the meantime, absorb this forceful vocal performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21O9skiE_e8&feature=youtu.be