KEEDRON BRYANT

Disney is celebrating this year’s Juneteenth with a new EP about the Black experience featuring actor and activist Yara Shahidi, Chloe Bailey of Chloe x Halle and rapper YBN Cordae, who is donating his proceeds to students attending historically Black colleges and universities.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The life of Jacksonville teen Keedron Bryant has changed dramatically since the song written by his mother — “I Just Wanna Live” — went viral following the death of George Floyd last year. Bryant’s powerful performance about being a young Black man in today’s world captured the attention of a troubled nation, with everyone from Barack Obama to LeBron James praising the future superstar and his family for their strength and positive message. The song not only helped him land a record deal, it helped heal the world at a time when music is a language that unites us all. As the country celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Bryant sat down with The Morning Show to talk about how he uses King’s message to inspire others. Watch the video above to hear what he had to say.

This cover image released by Warner Records shows "I Just Wanna Live," by Keedron Bryant. Bryant's song was named one of the top 10 of the year by the Associated Press. Keedron Bryant, “I Just Wanna Live": During times of turmoil and unrest, people respond differently. She asked her son, then 12-year-old Keedron Bryant, to sing the song and the rest is for the history books. The song not only helped Keedron Bryant land a record deal, it helped heal the world at a time when music is a language that unites us all.

Friday on The Morning Show, Keedron offered a sample of his new song, “You Got This” -- which he’ll record to be played during Sunday’s Jaguars game. I’ve been doing a lot of music and singing now, so it definitely has been a life-changing moment,” Keedron said. “He is a child that is valued,” Johnetta said. He’s going to inspire and encourage many people.”Keedron’s latest song has a different message but still one of hope and faith. He will be featured in a taped version of his new song, continuing to make his hometown proud.

A familiar Jacksonville teen will be headlining the halftime show with his now-viral song, “I Just Wanna Live.”The song, performed by Keedron Bryant, 13, was written by his mother Johnetta in May, following the death of George Floyd. RELATED | Jacksonville singer Keedron Bryant signs record deal after viral hit songSince then, the song has been viewed more than 4 million times. Life is very different for Keedron since that video was first shared. “I was really surprised when it went viral, but I also knew this is a really powerful message that I need to keep spreading and spreading," Keedron said. Keedron’s performance was recorded in Los Angeles last week and will be played at halftime.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville NAACP’s Youth Council commemorated a somber anniversary Thursday -- 60 years since Ax Handle Saturday. “My mom said she couldn’t even go into that building and now her son has an office in that building and it’s thanks to you Mr. Hurst,” Jacksonville City Councilman Sam Newby said. Rodney Hurst was the 16-year-old president of the NAACP Youth Council on that fateful day. Full Screen 1 / 37 Jacksonville NAACP reflects on 60th anniversary of Ax Handle SaturdayBishop Rudolph McKissick Sr., pastor emeritus of Bethel Church, was among the local leaders who took part in the ceremony, which took place virtually and with social distancing protocols. All week, News4Jax has been highlighting stories from Hurst and others who vividly remember Ax Handle Saturday and we spoke with experts, who put into perspective how that day shaped the history of the River City.

In this video grab issued Sunday, June 28, 2020, by BET, Beyonce accepts the humanitarian award during the BET Awards. The singer dedicated her award to the Black Lives Matter movement, and encouraged activists to continue to push forward. DaBaby rapped a verse from the Black Lives Matter remix of his hit song Rockstar with Roddy Ricch at the awards. While holding a baseball bat, DaBaby then stood on a stage behind a group of people who had their fists raised high while others held Black Lives Matter signs. During the performance, video clips were shown of the national protests over the deaths of unarmed Black people including Floyd, Arbery and Taylor.

The BET Awards served as an extension of the voices of Black people protesting in the streets about the inequalities Black people face daily, as artists used their performances to highlight the Black Lives Matter movement, civil rights and the lives of those lost because of police officers, including George Floyd. The BET Awards kicked off with Black artists rapping and singing anthems about the Black experience and fighting for equal rights. Nipsey’s family, we love you.”The BET Awards, one of the first awards shows to air virtually, featured performances that were sharp with artsy stage production, giving extra life to the songs being performed. “I used to watch the BET Awards all the time thinking, ‘One day that’s going to be me going up there accepting my award’ — and now it is.”Though the BET Awards are technically about handing out trophies, the awards were an afterthought. Beyoncé won the BET HER award for “Brown Skin Girl,” shared with daughter Blue Ivy Carter as well as Wizkid and Saint JHN.

It happened because of 12-year-old Keedron Bryant and his mother. From that moment, Keedron and his mother both describe a divine encounter. Keedron’s mother Johnetta Bryant said more recently of that moment back in May,“I knew that it was a message for the world right now. After the video went viral, celebrities and artists across the country started supporting Keedron. “I was already moved by the record but hearing the vocals over the production, it just hit me in another way.

12 year-old Keedron Bryant gets recording deal after singing song written by his momPublished: June 18, 2020, 10:54 pmWarner Records is donating 100 percent of the net profits of the song to the NAACP.

I have black brothers, uncles, cousins, friends.”Keedron Bryant’s mother, Johnnetta, wrote the song “I Just Wanna Live” after watching the video of George Floyd’s death. He gave me those words so clearly,” Johnnetta Bryant said of writing the “I Just Wanna Live” lyrics. Born in Sicily, Italy, to minister parents, Keedron Bryant began singing when he was 5. He gained fame earlier this year when he appeared on the NBC variety series “Little Big Shots.”Johnnetta Bryant said since writing “I Just Wanna Live” she’s caught the songwriting bug. He said though “I Just Wanna Live” came from a dark place, he’s looking forward to society changing for the better.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Keedron Bryant is everywhere these days. This is what God has called me to do.Keedron Bryant, whose song "I Just Want to Live" went viral, performed a stunning national anthem at @amsupdates. pic.twitter.com/akDoEabnfX NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 8, 2020Keedrons voice is powerful, but his message is what has resonated with listeners. Keedron sang the song acapella at his house and it went viral instantly. All of us together.The lyrics to Keedron and his mothers song are below.

Video shows Floyd called those words out as an officer dug a knee into his neck for more than 8 minutes. The recording of the song ‘I Just Want to Live’ by 12-year-old Jacksonville boy Keedron Bryant was inspired by Floyd’s dying call for his mother. In the video showing George Floyd’s fatal arrest, a bystander is heard saying, “Get up and get in the car man." As the 12-year-old looked on, Bryant’s mother said when Keedron heard the grown man call out for his mother, she said Keedron started praying. While Keedron admitted, going viral was ‘really exciting,' recording the song was an emotional experience.