We Are (Jon Batiste album)

Last updated

We Are
Jon Batiste - We Are.png
Studio album by
Jon Batiste
ReleasedMarch 19, 2021 (2021-03-19)
Recorded2019–2020
Genre
Length38:01
Label Verve
Producer
  • Jon Batiste
  • Kizzo
  • David Pimentel
Jon Batiste chronology
Meditations
(2020)		We Are
(2021)		 World Music Radio
(2023)
Singles from We Are
  1. "We Are"
    Released: June 12, 2020
  2. "I Need You"
    Released: January 22, 2021
  3. "Cry"
    Released: February 12, 2021
We Are ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AlbumismStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [2]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [3]
The Spill MagazineStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [4]

We Are (stylized in all caps) is the sixth studio album by Jon Batiste. It was released on Verve Records on March 19, 2021. [5] In April 2022, We Are won Album of the Year at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards; it earned Batiste nine nominations in total, with five wins. [6]

Contents

Following the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, We Are reached its peak at number 25 on the US Billboard 200 with 18,000 album equivalent units. [7]

Background

Batiste began working on the album in late 2019, making it in his dressing room over six days in September and finishing it by mid-2020. While largely written and recorded prior to the events of 2020, the album's lyrical and thematic content reflects such events as the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and his involvement in 2020, leading Black Lives Matter protests in New York after the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. [5] [8]

On June 12, 2020, he released the single "We Are", featuring the band from his New Orleans alma mater, the St. Augustine High School Marching 100. [9]

As part of Record Store Day 2020, Batiste released a limited edition EP titled We Are: Roots & Traditions. [10]

The album also features Mavis Staples, Zadie Smith, PJ Morton, and Trombone Shorty. [11] [5]

Speaking to Atwood Magazine, Batiste described We Are as "a representation of genreless music that's just about the story" and "a culmination of my life to this point". [5]

Batiste released a deluxe edition of the album on October 15, 2021. [12]

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

YearCategoryNominated workResultRef.
2022 Album of the Year We AreWon [13]
Best R&B Album Nominated
Record of the Year "Freedom"Nominated
Best Music Video Won
Best Traditional R&B Performance "I Need You"Nominated
Best American Roots Performance "Cry"Won
Best American Roots Song Won
Best Contemporary Classical Composition Batiste: Movement 11'Nominated

Track listing

All tracks are written by Jon Batiste, except where noted

We Are track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."We Are" (featuring St. Augustine High School Marching 100, David Gauthier, Gospel Soul Children, Craig Adams, Braedon Gautier, Brennan Gautier, Autumn Rowe)
4:24
2."Tell the Truth" 3:21
3."Cry"
3:57
4."I Need You"
  • Batiste
  • Rowe
2:37
5."Whatchutalkinbout" 2:21
6."Boy Hood" (featuring PJ Morton, Trombone Shorty)
4:26
7."Movement 11'" 2:01
8."Adulthood" (featuring Hot 8 Brass Band) 3:41
9."Mavis" Mavis Staples 0:20
10."Freedom"
  • Batiste
  • Rowe
  • Andrae Alexander
2:58
11."Show Me the Way" (featuring Zadie Smith) 3:40
12."Sing"
3:07
13."Until" 1:03
Total length:37:56

All tracks are written by Jon Batiste, except where noted

We Are (The Deluxe Edition) track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."I Need You"
  • Batiste
  • Rowe
2:35
2."Freedom"
  • Batiste
  • Rowe
  • Alexander
2:57
3."Cry"
  • Batiste
  • McEwan
3:55
4."Boy Hood" (featuring PJ Morton, Trombone Shorty)
  • Andrews
  • Batiste
  • Levine
  • Morton
  • Sweet
4:25
5."Sing" (featuring Tori Kelly)
  • Batiste
  • Cooper
  • Dimotsis
  • Frederic
  • Rowe
3:11
6."We Are" (featuring St. Augustine High School Marching 100, David Gauthier, Gospel Soul Children, Craig Adams, Braedon Gautier, Brennan Gautier, Autumn Rowe)
  • Batiste
  • Rowe
  • Kizzo
4:24
7."Tell the Truth" 3:22
8."Adulthood" (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid) 3:43
9."Whatchutalkinbout" 2:19
10."Mavis"Staples 
11."Freedom" (Big Freedia Remix)
  • Batiste
  • Rowe
  • Alexander
2:52
12."Tell the Truth" (Uptown Remix - featuring Big Chief Romeo Bougere of the Mardi Gras Indian Show, Michael Batiste) 3:15
13."Movement 11'" 2:01
14."Work It Out" 3:04
15."Adulthood" (featuring Hot 8 Brass Band) 3:42
16."Show Me the Way" (featuring Zadie Smith) 3:40
17."Sing"
  • Batiste
  • Cooper
  • Dimotsis
  • Frederic
  • Rowe
3:09
18."We Are" (Montmartre Remix - featuring Abi Bernadoth) 3:19
19."Until" 1:04
Total length:57:27

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for We Are
Chart (2021–2022)Peak
position
Australian Jazz and Blues Albums (ARIA) [21] 1
Australian Hitseekers Albums (ARIA) [22] 5
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) [23] 35
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [24] 191
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [25] 175
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [26] 81
French Albums (SNEP) [27] 61
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [28] 66
Japanese Hot Albums ( Billboard Japan ) [29] 92
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [30] 39
UK Album Downloads (OCC) [31] 25
US Billboard 200 [32] 25
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [33] 14
Weekly chart performance for We Are: Roots & Traditions
Chart (2020)Peak
position
US Top Contemporary Jazz Albums (Billboard) [34] 9

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for We Are
Chart (2021)Position
Australian Jazz and Blues Albums (ARIA) [35] 28

Related Research Articles

<i>Journeyman</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Eric Clapton

Journeyman is the eleventh solo studio album by Eric Clapton. Heralded as a return to form for Clapton, who had struggled with alcohol addiction and recently found sobriety, the album has a 1980s electronic sound, but it also includes blues songs like "Before You Accuse Me", "Running on Faith", and "Hard Times." "Bad Love" was released as a single, reaching the No. 1 position on the Album Rock Chart in the United States, and being awarded a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1990. "Pretending" had also reached the No. 1 position on the Album Rock Chart the previous year, remaining at the top for five weeks.

<i>Michael Bublé</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Michael Bublé

Michael Bublé is the record label debut studio album by Canadian singer Michael Bublé. It was released on 143 Records and Reprise Records. The album was released on February 11, 2003. The album spawned four singles: "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart", "Kissing a Fool", "Sway" and "Spider-Man Theme".

<i>Longing in Their Hearts</i> 1994 studio album by Bonnie Raitt

Longing in Their Hearts is the twelfth album by Bonnie Raitt, released in 1994. The album contained the mainstream pop hit, "Love Sneakin' Up On You," which reached #19 on the Billboard singles chart, and "You", which remains to date her only UK Top 40 hit, peaking at No. 31.

<i>Breathless</i> (Kenny G album) 1992 studio album by Kenny G

Breathless is the sixth studio album by American saxophonist Kenny G, released in November 17, 1992, on Arista Records. It reached number 1 on the Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and number 2 on the Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. The track "Forever in Love" won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition at the 1994 ceremony and reached number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>On and On</i> (Jack Johnson album) 2003 studio album by Jack Johnson

On and On is the second studio album by Jack Johnson, who provided the vocals and guitars. It was released in 2003 on Universal Records. Adam Topol played drums and percussion while Merlo Podlewski played bass guitar. The album was recorded at The Mango Tree studios in Hawaii.

<i>The Swing</i> (INXS album) 1984 studio album by INXS

The Swing is the fourth studio album by Australian rock band INXS, released in April 1984. It peaked at number one on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart for five non-consecutive weeks from early April to mid-May 1984. The lead single "Original Sin" was recorded in New York City with Nile Rodgers and featured Daryl Hall on backing vocals. Overall, the album featured a slightly harder-edged sound than their previous releases.

<i>Cross Road</i> (album) 1994 greatest hits album by Bon Jovi

Cross Road is the first official greatest hits album by American rock band Bon Jovi, released on October 11, 1994, by Mercury Records. The album contains hits from all previously released albums from their debut, Bon Jovi (1984) to Keep the Faith (1992). The album also features two new tracks: the hit singles "Always" and "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night", as well as a new, updated rendition of "Livin' on a Prayer" entitled "Prayer '94" available only on the North American versions.

<i>Time, Love & Tenderness</i> 1991 studio album by Michael Bolton

Time, Love & Tenderness is the seventh studio album by American recording artist Michael Bolton. The album was released on April 23, 1991, by Columbia Records; it was produced by Walter Afanasieff and Michael Bolton. To date, the record has sold more than 16 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling album of his career.

<i>The Breakthrough</i> 2005 studio album by Mary J. Blige

The Breakthrough is the seventh studio album by American singer Mary J. Blige, released on December 20, 2005, by Geffen Records. Blige recorded the album with a host of songwriters and record producers, including 9th Wonder, Rodney Jerkins, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Bryan-Michael Cox, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Raphael Saadiq, Chucky Thompson, Cool & Dre, Ron Fair, and will.i.am.

<i>Back on the Block</i> 1989 studio album by Quincy Jones

Back on the Block is a 1989 studio album by Quincy Jones. The album features musicians and singers from across three generations, including Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Joe Zawinul, Ice-T, Big Daddy Kane, Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, George Benson, Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Barry White, Chaka Khan, Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, Al B. Sure!, James Ingram, El DeBarge, Ray Charles and a 12-year-old Tevin Campbell.

<i>Foreign Affair</i> 1989 studio album by Tina Turner

Foreign Affair is the seventh solo studio album by Tina Turner, released on September 13, 1989, through Capitol Records. It was Turner's third album release after her massively successful comeback five years earlier with Private Dancer and her third and last album with the label. Although the album was not a major success in Turner's native United States, it was a huge international hit, especially in Europe. The album reached number one on the UK Albums Chart, her first number one album there. Dan Hartman produced most of the tracks on the album, including the hit single "The Best", which has gone on to become one of Turner's signature songs.

<i>Blaze of Glory</i> (Jon Bon Jovi album) 1990 studio album by Jon Bon Jovi

Blaze of Glory is the debut solo studio album by Jon Bon Jovi, the frontman of Bon Jovi. The album was released on August 7, 1990, through Mercury Records. It includes songs from and inspired by the movie Young Guns II. Emilio Estevez originally requested Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive" as the theme song for his upcoming Billy the Kid sequel, but Jon Bon Jovi ended up composing an all-new theme song for the film's soundtrack instead.

<i>Songs</i> (Luther Vandross album) 1994 studio album by Luther Vandross

Songs is the ninth studio album by American R&B/soul singer-songwriter Luther Vandross. It was released by Epic Records on September 20, 1994. The album, a collection of cover versions, produced the singles "Endless Love", "Always and Forever", and "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now". According to an interview both Vandross and Mariah Carey gave in Japan following the release of their duet "Endless Love", there was mention that Carey had given advice as to what songs Vandross would cover on this album.

<i>Repeat Offender</i> (Richard Marx album) 1989 studio album by Richard Marx

Repeat Offender is the second studio album by singer/songwriter Richard Marx. Released in mid-1989, it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart. The album was certified four times platinum in United States due to five major singles on the Billboard charts, including two No. 1 hits: "Satisfied" and the platinum-certified "Right Here Waiting".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Batiste</span> American singer, songwriter and bandleader (born 1986)

Jonathan Michael Batiste is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, composer, and television personality. He has recorded and performed with artists including Stevie Wonder, Prince, Willie Nelson, Lenny Kravitz, Ed Sheeran, Lana Del Rey, Roy Hargrove, Juvenile, and Mavis Staples. Batiste, with his band Stay Human, appeared nightly as bandleader and musical director on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert from 2015 to 2022.

<i>Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection</i> 2012 studio album (reissue) by Katy Perry

Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection is a reissue of American singer-songwriter Katy Perry's third studio album, Teenage Dream (2010). It was released on March 23, 2012, by Capitol Records, nearly two years after the original album. Perry collaborated with producers including Tricky Stewart to refine leftover material from the recording sessions at Playback Recording Studio for Teenage Dream. The final product features three newly recorded songs, which incorporate pop styles previously seen in the original album, an acoustic version of "The One That Got Away" and three additional official remixes.

<i>What Is Love?</i> (Clean Bandit album) 2018 studio album by Clean Bandit

What Is Love? is the second studio album by British electronic music group Clean Bandit. It was released on 30 November 2018 by Atlantic Records. It includes the singles "Tears", "Rockabye", "Symphony", "I Miss You", "Solo", "Baby" and "Mama". In addition, the album also features collaborations with Rita Ora, Charli XCX, Bhad Bhabie and Tove Styrke. It is the band's first album as a trio, following the departure of multi-instrumentalist Neil Amin-Smith in 2016.

<i>Just Like That...</i> 2022 studio album by Bonnie Raitt

Just Like That... is the eighteenth studio album by American singer, songwriter, and guitarist Bonnie Raitt. Released on April 22, 2022, it is her first studio album since 2016's Dig In Deep. The album was nominated for a Grammy award for Best Americana Album in 2023. Its title track won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year and Best American Roots Song and lead single "Made Up Mind" won Best Americana Performance.

<i>Growin Up</i> (Luke Combs album) 2022 studio album by Luke Combs

Growin' Up is the third studio album by American country music artist Luke Combs. It was released on June 24, 2022, through Columbia Records Nashville and River House Records. The album includes the singles "Doin' This", "The Kind of Love We Make" and "Going, Going, Gone" which impacted country radio on October 24. Growin' Up was nominated for Best Country Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.

<i>World Music Radio</i> 2023 studio album by Jon Batiste

World Music Radio is the seventh studio album by American singer Jon Batiste. It was released on August 18, 2023, through Verve Records and Interscope Records. The album features guest appearances by JID, NewJeans, Camilo, Jon Bellion, Fireboy DML, Kenny G, Lil Wayne, Leigh-Anne and Lana Del Rey.

References

  1. ↑ Corcoran, Patrick (March 25, 2021). "Jon Batiste Delivers Infectious Slice of Uplifting Soul with We Are". Albumism. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  2. ↑ Collar, Matt. "We Are - Jon Batiste". AllMusic. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Rolling Stone - April 2021". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  4. ↑ Harris, Gerrod. "Spill Album Review: Jon Batiste - We Are". The Spill Magazine. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Interview: Jon Batiste Dives into His Inspiring, Genreless New Album We Are'". Atwood Magazine. March 19, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Jon Batiste". Grammy.com. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  7. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (April 12, 2022). "Jon Batiste, Silk Sonic, Billie Eilish & More See Sales Bumps After 2022 Grammys". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  8. ↑ Hughes, Hilary (March 19, 2021). "Jon Batiste riffs on the moment with We Are". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  9. ↑ Smith, Sophie (June 12, 2020). "Hear Jon Batiste's Anthemic New Single, 'We Are'". U Discover Music. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  10. ↑ Micucci, Matt (November 4, 2020). "5 Record Store Day Releases You Need to Know: Black Friday 2020". Jazziz. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  11. ↑ Ginsberg, Gab (March 12, 2021). "Jon Batiste on New Album 'We Are,' Grammys and Oscars Prospects: It's 'Beyond My Wildest Dreams'". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  12. ↑ "WE ARE DELUXE CD". JonBatisteStore. October 11, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Jon Batiste". Grammy. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  14. 1 2 3 "Jon Batiste Shares 'Cry' Single". JamBase.
  15. ↑ "I Need You – Jon Batiste | Credits". AllMusic .
  16. 1 2 "Show Me the Way – Jon Batiste, Zadie Smith | Credits". AllMusic .
  17. ↑ "Cry – Jon Batiste | Credits". AllMusic .
  18. ↑ "Roberta Freeman | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Carol Hatchett | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  20. 1 2 3 "Album WE ARE (The Deluxe Edition), Jon Batiste | Qobuz: Download and streaming in high quality".
  21. ↑ "ARIA Jazz and Blues Album Chart 11 April 2022" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  22. ↑ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 11 April 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1675. Australian Recording Industry Association. April 11, 2022. p. 23.
  23. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Jon Batiste – We Are" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Jon Batiste – We Are" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Jon Batiste – We Are" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Jon Batiste Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Jon Batiste – We Are". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Jon Batiste – We Are" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums: 2022/04/13 公開". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Jon Batiste – We Are". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  32. ↑ "Jon Batiste Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  33. ↑ "Jon Batiste Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Jon Batiste Chart History (Top Contemporary Jazz Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  35. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Jazz and Blues Albums 2021". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.