Celebrating World Voice Day | PFC Best Vocalist Submissions of 2023 (Featuring: You!)
The voice has always been the first way to communicate with others, not only humans but also animals use their voices to create sounds, to communicate, alert others or express their wishes. After all, almost everything can create a sound, but only we can create music consciously, with structure and purpose.
World Voice Day is a recognition of the boundless limits of the human voice. At Playing For Change, we are honored to have the opportunity to have listened to so many different voices along our journey, from inspiring rhythmic poems in our documentaries to countless different instruments featured in our Songs Around The World.
This is our recognition of just a few of the powerful voices across the world. Here are some of the best vocal performances (sent by you) of this quarter 2023!
Sazrah - Just Trying
Location: Paris, France
Sazrah is a musician and singer with a unique and exceptional voice, and influences in neo soul, jazz, hip-hop, and R&B.She is passionate about nature and uses her talent to express her love for it through her music.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sazrahmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sazrahmusic/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
Spotiify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/1YKPOQSYajIHVUxNjx4K8i?si=ioyDfRBMQxSC8VXvpvYhpw
What we love about this performance: The lo-fi vibes, upbeat guitar, smooth voice and artistic approach in Sazrah’s “Just Trying” music video is what made us choose this song as one of the best performances.
Samiri - Uru Chipaya
Location: Cochabamba - Bolivia
Uru Chipaya refers to an indigenous ethnic group and their language spoken in Bolivia. The Uru Chipaya people primarily live in the Chipaya municipality of the Oruro Department in western Bolivia, near the border with Chile. Their language, also called Uru Chipaya, is distinct from the Quechuan and Aymaran languages that are more widely spoken in Bolivia.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_xJzrEpcmCjyS5-zrPz8cg
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/3gdymJgUl6Vh0xo5NTzb8F?si=rJ3Zgv0cRE2IsTDkNNmeeQ
What we love about this performance: The representation of the Uru Chipaya people in the colors of the clothing, the environment and the traditional instruments are a perfect combination and reflection of Bolivian culture. This song definitely makes you travel through culture and time.
Samuel J - Become the Vision
Location: Los Angeles, California
Samuel J has been described as a versatile artist who draws inspiration from a range of genres, including soul, R&B, and folk music.
Website: https://samjmusic.com/
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYgbegzSqLM4cC6l34B7lkQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamuelJTellam
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samueljmusic/
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/5uhJQ7Xn24Z2CQSX3LIavR?si=LtfjOueJQfec9z_fxqTKsQ&nd=1
What we love about this performance: While watching this video we were immediately mesmerized by the environment, one could even feel the soft fresh air and the echoes of Samuel’s soft voice through the woods. Definitely a refreshing melody as well as inspiring lyrics that encourage listeners to embrace their dreams and work towards achieving their goals.
Kishan Adhikari - Runnin (cover)
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Kishan Adhikari is a singer-songwriter, Nepalese artist currently living in Madrid, Spain.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KishanAdhikari
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kisshermann/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kisshermann
What we love about this performance: Playing on the streets is no easy task and we know it. Since the beginning of PFC, our crew has been challenged by the sounds of the big cities, the noise from the vehicles, the people walking in heels as well as the changing weather. This artist embodies the beginnings of Playing For Change, as he demonstrates his skills and powerful voice among all difficulties.
Marcos Rosa - Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door (Cover)
Location: New York
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marcosrosa5486/featured
What we love about this performance: As you already know, we are fans of Bob Dylan’s compositions and lyrics, when we first heard this cover and saw the use of the cajón, we immediately identified with it! Playing For Change is all about discovering new talents and bringing them to the spotlight. The voice of this talented vocalist soothes your soul and takes another dimension of sounds to the original version of the song.
Tipriti Kharbangar - Shad Pynnang Pynnang
Location: India
Tipriti Tips Kharbangar is a talented rock/blues vocalist and guitarist from India.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tipriti
What we love about this performance: The energy in TIPS’ vocals, the combination of the numerous talking drums and the modern addition of the electric guitar as well as bass is what makes this performance outstanding. It represents the difference between traditional and the modern but in a complementary way.
Drew Martin - Big Old Sky
Location: Wailuku, USA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drewheynow/?hl=es
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drewmartin2699
What we love about this performance: The positivity of this original song, the multitasking of playing the guitar and harmonica together and maintaining high energy is what made us immediately love this song. It reminds us so much of our Live Outside performances along with John Cruz, such positive vibes!
Eli Anai - Latir
Location: Málaga, Spain
Transformed by his experiences and influences, Eli shares his soul in compositions that transcend cultures
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBQv3aIg1BUPLgxCxHLBpWA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elianaijah/?hl=es
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elianaijah/
What we love about this performance: When you first play this song, how do you feel? “Latir” means “Heartbeat” in Spanish. This original song talks about how we understand our feelings and how we let our heart guide our decisions, as well as trying to figure out our doubts and finding the truth.
Ariannah - Promettimi (Cover)
Location: Italy
Arianna D'Angelo, also known as Ariannah, is a singer-songwriter from Abruzzo, Italy. She started her musical journey as a guitarist and after a few years, she began writing her own songs.
Website: https://www.ariannah.it/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariannahofficial/
Facebook: https://it-it.facebook.com/ariannaweb/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ariannadangelof
What we love about this performance: “Promettimi” is a romantic song originally written by Italian singer Elisa Toffoli and the soft vocals of Ariana D’Angelo are the perfect tone to make a beautiful rendition of the song. Of course, we also love the acoustic guitar which makes the best complement!
"Carol of the Bells Medley" Presented by Ovation Music & Studios
What we love about this performance: We are so happy to see these talented young students collaborating to create a medley of this kind. The production is next level and not only are the voices great but also the synchronization of the other instruments reminds us so much of the hard work put into creating a song with different people, in different time zones and places.
Watch more incredible vocalists from the students and teachers with our partners at the Playing For Change Foundation!
United Adungu Traditional Band - Unity! Unity!
Watch this uplifting performance by the female-led United Adungu traditional band in the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement in northern Uganda at the Salam Music Program. Singing ‘Unity! Unity!’ This song is about women, mothers, and girls having to flee civil conflict in South Sudan, from firsthand experience, and about their hope for unity.
Mambo Sawa Sawa - PFCF Students in Rwanda
Mambo Sawa Sawa is a quite popular East African gospel song by Ruth Wamuyu (Kenya). The title literally means "things are getting better" and this song has been one of the classic tunes for the vocal classes at the Ubuntu Music Program in Kigali for several years.
Jarabi - Kirina Lolow
Kirina Lolow is a traditional Malian music band formed by 2 former students of the Ecole de musique de Kirina, two music teachers and the amazing young vocalist and composer Assetou Sissoko.
A big thank you to everyone who shared their talent with us!
Do you have a passion for arts, dance and/or music? Send us your best performances by filling out the form below.
Let’s keep on spreading the word for new talent and don’t forget to share with us the stories that inspired you to keep on playing. Send us an email at info@playingforchange.com and let us know YOUR story.
