Yola to perform at the 2022 American Music Awards, as The Song of The Soul featured artist on November 20 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California (US)
She will perform her anthemic track “Break The Bough”, which is inspired by her late mother and featured on her critically acclaimed album, Stand For Myself.
Yola continues her meteoric rise with the confirmation of her performance at the ‘2022 American Music Awards,’ which will air live from the Microsoft Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 20, at 8:00 p.m. EST/PST on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu. Yola will be the SONG OF THE SOUL featured performer, which spotlights an emerging, mission-driven artist that has inspired change and invoked social justice through their lyrics. To celebrate the honor, she will share an electrifying rendition of her song, “Break The Bough.”
Written in 2013 following her mother’s funeral, it is a homage to her mother, sharing an imagination of her afterlife. Her poetic lyrics are a wish for her late mother to find a joy she couldn’t find on earth, and an anthem for anyone dealing with complicated grief. With a genre bending mix of R&B, soul and classic pop, the performance is set to be one of the most epic of the evening.
Commenting on this landmark moment, Yola stated, “I have long dreamed of performing at the American Music Awards and honored to be included during the “SONG OF THE SOUL” moment. ‘Break The Bough’ creates a loving false construct of what I hope my mother experienced in her afterlife. A mix of all the things she held dear and brought her happiness during her life. Specifically, her pre-windrush Barbados childhood, disco and Sci-fi.” Yola added, “I hope the song brings a little peace and joy to anyone who has lost someone close to them regardless of how challenging the relationship may have been.”
The song featured on her pivotal sophomore album, “Stand For Myself,” which was twice GRAMMY nominated, making her a six-time GRAMMY nominee. “Stand For Myself” drew widespread critical acclaim from publications including The New York Times who stated it is an “‘Album made on her own terms.” and All Songs Considered, who anointed the album “the best soul record of the last 20 years.”
The Black British genre fluid superstar this year made her acting debut when she portrayed Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Baz Luhrmann’s musical drama “Elvis,” who is played by Austin Butler, alongside Tom Hanks, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Alton Mason. Her role received widespread praise with support from New York Magazine, Rolling Stone and Harper’s Bazaar. Yola has since continued her meteoric rise. From joining The Recording Academy®’s Black Music Collective (BMC) Leadership Council alongside H.E.R. and Mickey Guyton to making her debut at Coachella, Yola defines her path and dashes expectation in her wake. Yola also recently appeared on a special CBS Saturday session at D.C’s historic Lincoln Theater. Watch her performance of “Stand For Myself” here.
