Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Friday 29 March |
Good Friday
Aleteia logo
Art & Culture
separateurCreated with Sketch.

Have You Heard This Afro-Beats WYD Song?

Edwin Fawcett - published on 08/05/16

"I Wanna Praise"

Please consider a gift for Aleteia!
Help us spread the joy of Christ's victory.
Aleteia depends on your support.

Join our Lenten Campaign 2024.

DONATE NOW

Write your words on my heart, Lord.

World Youth Day 2016 ha come and gone, but we couldn’t finish our coverage of the event without mentioning Edwin Fawcett’s “I Wanna Praise.” London artist and gospel choir director wrote the song in 2002 but never recorded it for an album.

Now, as Edwin’s work is becoming increasingly international, and with the approach of World Youth Day in Krakow, the time was ripe. Fawcett took the original version, written in English, and had it translated and recorded in seven different languages, all found on the I Wanna Praise album available on iTunes.

The song is based on Deuteronomy 6:5-7. It is “the great commandment,” our response to God’s command to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

The song features a distinctive afro-beats sound, incorporating the heritage of the members of the St. Antony’s Youth Choir, which Fawcett directs. Over half of the young people are Nigerian or West African. The video was also shot on location at St. Antony’s Parish where the choir performs every Sunday.

In addition to the youth choir, the video features the talented young rapper Norma (who was only 10 at the time of the video shoot) and almost all of Edwin’s family: his siblings and nephews and niece make appearance.

To keep up with your favorite artists and to find new music every day, like and follow Cecilia on Facebook.

Libby Reichert

Tags:
CeciliaChristian MusicWorld Youth Day
Support Aleteia!

Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reach more than 20 million unique users per month!

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

Support Aleteia with a gift today!

jour1_V2.gif
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.