When a group of dozens of teenagers came running onto the America’s Got Talent stage this week, no one had any idea what was going on. Normally on the show, we are used to performances put on by individuals or otherwise small groups of people. However, this time, the children just kept flooding out from behind the curtains with no end in sight. “They’re still coming!!” judge Julianne Hough can be heard saying.
We soon learned that the kids were all part of the Detroit Youth Choir, an organization that gives inner-city youth a chance to sing and perform in front of audiences.
“We’re here to let the world know that we have some wonderful young people in the city of Detroit,” choir director Anthony White told judges. “They all have great grades and they are all talented.”
Director Anthony White explained that he had been leading the choir group for over 21 years!
Simon then asked the kids what they would like to gain by being on the show and they responded pretty matter of factly.
“A million dollars,” one girl chimed in.
Everyone burst into laughter. Many of us would all probably be pretty happy with that.
What happened next, though, was shocking.
It turns out that not only does the Detroit Youth Choir give children from the inner-city something positive to be a part of, but they also make pretty amazing music as well.
They chose to do a rendition of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s “Can’t Hold Us”, a song that most traditional choirs wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.
Producers queued the music and all of the kids started belting out the beautiful melody in perfect harmony. However, that wasn’t even the most amazing part. The real surprise came when the beat of the music suddenly changed and one of the choir girls jumped up front and center and started rapping!
The entire choir began dancing around in the background and the energy in the arena instantly went through the roof.
The crowd went crazy, Gabrielle Union started doing a frenetic fist pump, and even the otherwise cold Simon Cowell cracked a smile.
The kids then continued alternating rapping off and on while the rest of the choir sang the hook and it was incredibly fun to watch.
The whole performance was so unexpected and they finished to roaring applause from the audience.
Everyone had positive comments for the group and it was obvious that the judges were going to send the kids onto the next round of the competition.
However, before they could get a chance to speak, announcer Terry Crews interrupted them.
He had something very important to say.
The announcer told us how he grew up in the same area as the kids and how he felt an incredible emotional connection to them.
“I remember sitting at my window in Flint, Michigan, dreaming, and wanting to make it, and wanting to be here. And they’re here. And they did so well that I have to do do this!” said Crews.
Crews broke down in tears and the kids couldn’t believe what was happening.
“Let me tell you something, Mr. White,” said Crews. “All it takes is one person to believe in a young man or a woman for them to reach their dreams and you are that man, sir!”
Crews then slammed down on the Golden Buzzer and the sky rained down golden confetti.
It was such a beautiful moment.
The Golden Buzzer sent the kids straight on to the finals of the competition and honestly, there is no one that deserved it more than this talented group of young men and women.
It was one of the most emotional moments of the entire season so far and we wish them luck as the competition continues.
The video of the performance is something you just have to see for yourself.
Check out the full video below of the Detroit Youth Choir performing “Can’t Hold Us” and Terry Crews hitting the Golden Buzzer.
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