On Saturday, December 26th, 50+ artists and hundreds of thousands of viewers around the world came together for Georgia Comes Alive, a virtual music festival aimed at promoting voter participation in Georgia’s critical Senate runoff elections on January 5th, 2021.
One of the many world-renowned acts to take part in the nine-hour livestream was genre-blending New Orleans brass band The Soul Rebels. artists who performed during the virtual event was none other than The Soul Rebels, who delivered a cover of Nas It Was Written classic, “If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)”.
Recorded inside a beautiful chapel with a grand pipe organ acting as the backdrop, The Soul Rebels’ performance of the 1996 Nas and Lauryn Hill tune came across with raw emotion and a particularly strong personal connection. The Soul Rebels, after all, are known for touring with a rotating roster of hip-hop luminaries, and originally arranged this version of “If I Ruled The World” for a run of shows with Nas himself.
“Nas has always meant so much to me. Growing up, every morning walking to junior school I was listening to Nas,” trumpeter Julian Gosin tells Live For Live Music of the performance. “I recall me and my homies were the only few in my class listening to Nas, and debating that he was the best MC. Nas’ stories and narratives felt real, and still resonate today. Performing with Nas is always a pleasure and honor.”
[Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images – Nas with The Soul Rebels, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2017]
“Nas’ music and message is powerful,” adds drummer Lumar LeBlanc. “We felt it appropriate to bring our version of ‘If I Ruled The World’ to Georgia Comes Alive.” Watch The Soul Rebels perform “If I Ruled The World” (Imagine That)” for Georgia Comes Alive below. If you enjoyed the show and have the means, consider donating to Georgia grassroots voter organizations via GeorgiaComesAlive.com.
The Soul Rebels – “If I Ruled The World” (Nas) – Georgia Comes Alive
Related: The Soul Rebels Share Inspiring Messages Of Unity For Justice Comes Alive [Watch]
The Soul Rebels joined 50+ other performers and speakers as part of Georgia Comes Alive, presented by Live For Live Music in partnership with voter registration nonprofit HeadCount. The marathon streaming event, powered by Nugs.TV and Plus 1, generated more than $160,000 in funds for organizations like CivicGeorgia and Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda that are putting in work on the ground to get Georgians out to the polls. For more information, head here. For more information on Georgia Comes Alive, or to donate to CivicGeorgia and Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, visit GeorgiaComesAlive.com.
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