"Something must be done as soon as possible / and if we come together we're unstoppable".
If you'd like to dive deeper into the history, I can provide: Their journey on America's Got Talent
While the choir maintains the iconic chorus originally written by John Legend and Common , IndigoYaj’s rap interludes introduce new, localized urgency: Detroit Youth Choir 'Glory' - featuring IndigoYaj - lyrics
The Detroit Youth Choir’s (DYC) reimagined version of —the Oscar-winning anthem from the film Selma —is more than a cover; it is a localized, urgent call for justice released in the summer of 2020. Featuring IndigoYaj (Jayla Smalls), a former DYC member, the track was created to give Detroit’s youth a platform to process the dual traumas of systemic racism and the COVID-19 pandemic. 🎤 The Feature: IndigoYaj
IndigoYaj, a rapper and alumnus of the choir, provides the song’s contemporary edge. Her role was to "speak our truth as youth," bridging the gap between the historical civil rights struggle depicted in Selma and the modern Black Lives Matter movement. "Something must be done as soon as possible
The song ends with a simple, collective plea: "We need to stand together so we can be one". 🏛️ Cultural Impact & Recognition
"Fists up, it's time to come together on our own street". 🎤 The Feature: IndigoYaj IndigoYaj, a rapper and
"Now the war is not over / Victory isn't won / We'll fight on to the finish".