New Orleans’ own Jon Batiste recently released a vibrant new music video for his single “Freedom,” a celebration of Black joy, independence, and the culture and energy of his hometown.

Filmed over two days in April, this electrifying love letter to the Crescent City features Batiste leading the ultimate second line through the streets, joining with the legendary St. Augustine High School Marching 100 (Batiste’s alma mater), the Joyful Choir of New Orleans, Queen Tahj Williams of the Golden Eagles Mardi Gras Indians, dancers, musicians and residents alike.

Batiste has had a good year. The Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA winning musician’s hit song “I Need You” reached number 1 on the AAA Radio Charts. His album We Are debuted in the Billboard Top R&B Charts, Top Album Charts, and Top 200. His “I Need You” music video surpassed 10 million views. He’s appeared on American Idol,  Live with Kelly and Ryan, The Today Show, The Late Late Show with James Corden, CBS This Morning as guest and co-host, and, of course, the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

On We Are, Batiste presents a captivating musical experience to the world rooted in catharsis, joy, freedom, contemplation and sensuality. The album features guest appearances by Mavis Staples, Quincy Jones, Zadie Smith, PJ Morton, Trombone Shorty, the St Augustine Marching 100, his father Michael Batiste, grandfather David Gauthier and many more. It is a meditation steeped in the sounds of the times with collaborators including POMO (Anderson.Paak), Ricky Reed (Lizzo), Jahaan Sweet (Drake, Eminem) and others.

“I’m publicly known for some things already,” said Batiste. “But there’s so much more to know about me. It’s always been there. Now is the time to show the world my full artistry.”

Batiste continues, “We Are is a message of love for humanity, of humble reverence for our past, and of a hopeful future, in which we are the ones who can save us. The art reveals its motive to you. You just have to wait for the Spirit to tell you what it wants.”