Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Overcoming adversity, artists seek to inspire in new music video

Published 14/06/2021, 15:21
Updated 14/06/2021, 18:17
© Reuters. The combination pictue shows Alvin Law, Kyle Kihira, Mandy Harvey and Raul Midon in unknown location in this picture obtained by Reuters on June 14, 2021. True Colors Festival/The Nippon Foundation/Handout via REUTERS

© Reuters. The combination pictue shows Alvin Law, Kyle Kihira, Mandy Harvey and Raul Midon in unknown location in this picture obtained by Reuters on June 14, 2021. True Colors Festival/The Nippon Foundation/Handout via REUTERS

By Marie-Louise Gumuchian

LONDON (Reuters) - Artists from around the world who have overcome adversity have joined forces in a new recording of 1990s song "You Gotta Be".

Deaf British dancer Chris Fonseca and Brazilian musician Johnatha Bastos, who has partially formed arms, are among the 13 contributors to the track, released on Monday.

The music video was recorded as part of the True Colors Festival, which celebrates diversity and inclusion through performing arts events.

"We've all shared the same pain as well of maybe being invisible in life," Fonseca, who dances by feeling the vibrations of music he cannot hear, told Reuters through a sign language interpreter.

"It's increasing visibility, making people see that we are visible and if we get the chance we can do incredible things as well."

Filming the music video online proved a logistical challenge given the artists recorded their parts from different countries.

"When you start recording and you get the bits, it's not so easy to just say, 'hey, come round again on Tuesday and replay your guitar part'," said Dr Sydney Tan, the video's creative and music director.

"We do need a lot of patience. But ... the artists are so patient. We have nothing to complain (about). We're just so happy."

Other contributors include American deaf singer Mandy Harvey, Grammy-nominated musician Raul Midon and Japanese wheelchair dancer Kenta Kambara.

The video shows the artists performing the song, originally released by British singer Des'ree, as well as going about their daily lives.

© Reuters. The combination pictue shows Alvin Law, Kyle Kihira, Mandy Harvey and Raul Midon in unknown location in this picture obtained by Reuters on June 14, 2021. True Colors Festival/The Nippon Foundation/Handout via REUTERS

"We can't look just to the problems of our lives," Bastos, who plays guitar with his feet, said.

"I hope people can look to the video and think ... if these people ... are singing, playing the piano or the guitar ... so I can do it, I can achieve my goals, I can be happy. I can be a person that will make (a) difference in the world."

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.