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 renowned artists to perform at GCA was hitmaking hip-hop/soul artist Musiq Soulchild, who offered a smattering of his wide-ranging styles. Beginning with one of his better-known songs, “Buddy”, Soulchild—born Taalib Johnson—provided an energetic pick-me-up during the all-day Georgia Comes Alive stream. While much of the lineup for the virtual festival aligned with live instrumentation, Soulchild added some sonic diversity to the proceedings with his hip-hop and R&B stylings.
In spite of the pandemic, Soulchild was also able to achieve a laidback, party atmosphere with his video performance as he took to the mic against the familiar backdrop of an outdoor gathering of socially-distanced friends all donning masks. With the ensuing “Half Crazy”, the rapper slowed things down a bit and embodied a message of isolation that has become all too common during the pandemic: “Now things are strange, nothings the same/And I really just want my friend back.”
Related: Big Freedia Lights Up New Orleans’ Tipitina’s For Georgia Comes Alive [Watch]
Finally, Musiq Soulchild closed his set with one last song about companionship in “Just Friends”. In one of his most popular numbers, which came out over 20 years ago, the Musiq relates a tale of courtship that comes to fruition with a platonic relationship rather than a romantic one. Against the backdrop of a close circle of friends—who are paradoxically keeping their distance—the song takes on an endearing quality of providing companionship at a time when it’s needed most.
HeadCount executive director Andy Bernstein was one of many viewers blown away by the creativity and production value of Musiq’s Georgia Comes Alive performance. “Musiq Soulchild’s performance may be one of the best-produced home performances to come out of the pandemic,” he tells Live For Live Music, “An outdoor, socially-distanced house party transformed into high-tech but low budget music video. A true imprint of our times.”
Relive Musiq Soulchild’s full set from Georgia Comes Alive in the video below. If you enjoyed the show and have the means, consider donating to Georgia grassroots voter organizations via GeorgiaComesAlive.com. Subscribe to the Live For Live Music YouTube channel for more Georgia Comes Alive videos. For Georgia voter info, head here.
Musiq Soulchild – Full Set – Georgia Comes Alive