The international advocacy organization Global Citizen have partnered with Parlophone Records/Atlantic Records and the Grammy-winning recording artist Raphael Saadiq to release ‘STAND UP’, an eight-song collection that aims to restore hope, and inspire and celebrate the heroism of leaders and activists around the world. ‘STAND UP’ is now available on all platforms ahead of the Global Citizen Prize award special, which is broadcast at 7pm on Monday (December 21st) on Sky One.
The album was executive produced by Raphael Saadiq, and features iconic songs reimagined by some of today’s leading artists. The album is completed by ‘Humxn Race’, a new song written by Raphael Saadiq and Taura Stinson that features various artists on the album.
Raphael Saadiq commented: “It was an honour to work on ‘STAND UP’ with Global Citizen and such incredible artists, who all came together for this passion project in a year that has been so difficult for so many. During this time, music has played a key role in keeping us all connected and my hope for those who listen is to feel empowered to create change.”
Hugh Evans, CEO of Global Citizen, added: “We are so incredibly grateful to Raphael Saadiq and the incredible artists who worked with us on this special album. Music has always been at the heart of the Global Citizen movement, and we hope this album will inspire and celebrate people across the world who are working to make a difference.”
‘STAND UP’ is released ahead of the Global Citizen Prize award special, a broadcast event hosted by John Legend that honours those making extraordinary efforts to lift up the world’s most vulnerable, while making the world a better place. This year’s Global Citizen Prize will be recognized across six categories: Global Citizen of the Year; Global Citizen Prize for World Leader; Global Citizen Prize for Business Leader; Global Citizen Artist of the Year; Cisco Youth Leadership Award; and the Global Citizen Country Hero Award.
The special will also feature inspirational stories and unforgettable performances from artists including Alessia Cara, Carrie Underwood, Common, Gwen Stefani, John Legend and JoJo and Tori Kelly, who will perform their collaboration of ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’ that features on the ‘STAND UP’ album.
In addition to the UK’s Sky One broadcast, the ceremony will be televised across the world. Please see globalcitizen.org/prize for a full list of global broadcast times.
The ‘Countdown to the Prize’ pre-show, hosted by Access Hollywood’s Scott Evans, will feature exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with John Legend, Common, Alessia Cara, Tori Kelly, JoJo and Raphael Saadiq, plus profiles on the Prize winners, and a virtual red carpet. It streams at 12:30pm UK time tomorrow via Global Citizen’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
‘STAND UP’ tracklist:
- ‘Come Together’ – Jordin Sparks x MILCK (Originally by The Beatles)
- ‘Give The People What They Want’ – PJ Morton x Yola (The O’Jays)
- ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’ – Tori Kelly x JoJo (Aretha Franklin)
- ‘Higher Ground’ – Andra Day x Chelsea Collins (Stevie Wonder)
- ‘Mercy Mercy Me’ – Bonfyre x Masego (Marvin Gaye)
- ‘Be Thankful for What You’ve Got’ – Lucky Daye x BJRNCK x Big Freedia (William DeVaughn)
- ‘Sorrow Tears and Blood’ – Ari Lennox x GoldLink (Fela Kuti)
- ‘Humxn Race’ – written by Raphael Saadiq & Taura Stinson; featuring various artists on the album
Global Citizen is the world’s largest movement of action takers and impact makers dedicated to ending extreme poverty by 2030. With over 10 million monthly advocates, our voices have the power to drive lasting change around sustainability, equality, and humanity. We post, tweet, message, vote, sign, and call to inspire those who can make things happen to act — government leaders, businesses, philanthropists, artists, and citizens — together improving lives.
