This impressive young man got the surprise of a lifetime when gospel superstar Kirk Franklin joined his Zoom call with Access Hollywood!
12-year-old Keedron Bryant went viral after he shared a powerful original song, written by his mother Johnnetta, about the harsh realities black people face in America. The song was inspired by the controversy surrounding the death of George Floyd at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer.
“Just singing what’s on my heart…hope this blesses someone,” Keedron captioned his post.
“I’m a young black man, doing all that I can to stand. Oh, but when I look around and I see what’s being done to my kind every day, I’m being hunted as prey,” he sings, and his voice is as powerful and haunting as the lyrics.
WATCH MORE: Jamie Foxx, Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato & More Outraged By George Floyd’s Death
After seeing the video, Access Hollywood wanted to do something special for the young man—and discovered that the Bryants are both huge fans of gospel singer Kirk Franklin!
Kirk, like millions of others, was moved by Bryant’s powerful a cappella performance. So the musical legend agreed to surprise the mother-son duo in the middle of an interview with Access Hollywood’s Scott Evans to share how much their artistic effort means in our current climate.
“Listen, I want to tell you—I was adopted, I didn’t have a father. I was raised without a strong black presence, made a lot of mistakes and to see the next generation like your beautiful son…to be able to see young men like Keedron stand in the midst of all this pain and tragedy and to be able to have such a sound of hope—bro, we needed you. We needed you. You are right on time, God is using you right on time.”
READ MORE: CNN Reporter Omar Jimenez & Crew Released After Live TV Arrest In Minneapolis
But that wasn’t the only surprise Kirk had in store. The musician said he will participating in the Verzuz battle with Timbaland and Swizz Beatz on Sunday and is using Keedron’s voice as a promotion!
“You have the ability to make a difference,” Kirk said. “All it takes is one light. It can be a huge room of darkness. One little match can change the temperature and the spirit of that room. Keedron, you are that little match bro.”
Kirk was far from the only notable person who was impressed by Keedron’s powerful song. Celebrities from far and wide took notice of the young man’s talent, and he even got a special shout-out from President Barack Obama!
The former president shared Keedron’s original alongside a lengthy statement expressing his grief over George Floyd’s death. “Another friend of mine used the powerful song that went viral from 12-year-old Keedron Bryant to describe the frustrations he was feeling. The circumstances of my friend and Keedron may be different, but their anguish is the same. It’s shared by me and millions of others,” Obama wrote in part.
Keedron was understandably ecstatic about the recognition from President Obama. “THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!” The 12-year-old commented on the post, alongside a multitude of emojis.
But the recognition didn’t end there—stars far and wide also shared Keedron’s video with their own messages.
Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Lizzo And More Show Solidarity After George Floyd’s Death
View Gallery