Detroit Youth Choir, NFL Players Choir light up draft Day 2 with Motown hits, gospel finale
The NFL draft’s second day got a burst of joyful energy courtesy of the Detroit Youth Choir.
As thousands amassed Friday at Cadillac Square for another night of draft picks and Motor City pizzazz, the popular ensemble stepped up for a 30-minute performance to set the stage.
This is a busy week for Detroit Youth Choir: Half the group is in Kenya with director-founder Anthony White to perform in a music festival; the other members were enlisted for the high-profile hometown appearance.
The choir has become a Detroit institution five years after winning hearts nationwide as a runner-up on “America’s Got Talent,” a status solidified with a recent six-part Disney+ documentary.
Friday’s performance led off with the DYC’s original song “Glory,” its summer 2020 social-justice release, part of a set that mingled Motown classics, gospel numbers and contemporary hits, including a rousing cover of Imagine Dragons’ “Thunder,” one of the songs that propelled the choir during its AGT run.
All came with the customary synchronized steps, high energy and crisp red, black and blue skirts and suits worn by the Detroit youngsters.
The hometown love came with a crowd-pleasing Motown medley that included “Get Ready,” “Dancing in the Street,” “Back in Your Arms” and “What’s Going On.” Motown popped up again in the set with a spirited “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
“Stand By Me” came with richly arranged layers of a cappella harmony, prelude to the night’s surprise: Out stepped 10 members of the NFL Players Choir, which is made up of current and former players wielding their own vocal talents.
The Players Choir joined the DYC for a ebullient gospel finale that included “No One Like You” and Kirk Franklin’s “I Smile.”
The Detroit Youth Choir was the second headlining performance of the 2024 NFL draft, following an opening-night set from Detroit rapper Big Sean.
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Canton-born pop artist Bazzi will wrap things up at the conclusion of the draft’s third and final day, likely at about 6 p.m. Saturday. The day’s afternoon entertainment offerings will also feature a mass 1 p.m. performance of the Detroit Hustle dance (fans are invited to participate), and music selections by singers from the Motown Museum’s Hitsville Next program.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Youth Choir lights up draft Day 2 with Motown, gospel hits
