Common The Oscars

Common played The Oscars w/Andra Day & a Tiny Desk Concert w/August Greene (watch)

Like Sufjan Stevens did a little earlier in the evening, Common and Andra Day took the Oscars stage to perform “Stand Up for Something,” the Best Original Song-nominated track from Marshall (It lost to “Remember Me” from Coco). After being introduced by Dave Chappelle, Common started the song with a shout out to immigrants and survivors of the Parkland school shooting, and criticism of the NRA: “Tell the NRA they’re in God’s way,” he said. He was then joined by Andra Day, and ten activists, each contacted by the pair: Alice Brown Otter, Bana Alabed, Bryan Stevenson, Cecile Richards, Dolores Huerta, Janet Mock, José Andrés, Nicole Hockley, Patrisse Cullors, and Tarana Burke. “What we hoped to convey is the essence of this song,” Day said in a statement. “These are all people who have fought through their own personal pain to make things better for themselves and for others.” Watch the performance below.

Common, who opens the upcoming season of BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival with a free show on June 5, is part of a supergroup, August Greene, with Robert Glasper and Karriem Riggins. They stopped by NPR to record a Tiny Desk Concert with some special guests: Brandy, Maimouna Youssef, and Andra Day. Watch that below, as well.

August Greene also headline NPR’s official SXSW showcase at Stubb’s on March 14. Tank and the Bangas, Okkervil River, Low, Superorganism, Lucy Dacus, Mt. Joy, Hembree, WebsterX, Liz Brasher, and Gracie and Rachel also play the Stubb’s show, which you’ll need a SXSW badge or wristband to get into.

UPDATE: August Greene are also streaming their self titled album via NPR ahead of its March 9 release date – listen to it HERE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqvCrrv6_iY