"WORSHIP" HEROES

Verve’s Jon Batiste brought the thunder to the season 18 finale of America’s Got Talent on 9/27 in tandem with the Soweto-based Mzansi Youth Choir, performing a show-stopping rendition of his song “Worship.”

The “Worship” energy was infectious, with Batiste belting out the lyrics while down on his knees before moving to a grand piano for the song’s big finish. Dressed in all green, the choir enlivened the track from the former Late Show bandleader’s August album, World Music Radio, the follow-up to 2021’s We Are. The latter set took home Album of the Year as one of its five wins at the 64th annual Grammys, stunning many observers who’d pegged it as a serious long shot. Wonderers naturally wonder if Batiste will get more love from the Academy soon.

Batiste also shared the Best Alternative award at the recent MTV VMAs with Lana Del Rey, on whose song “Candy Necklace” he made a guest appearance.