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Oakleaf’s Bryant wins acclaim for emotional song about George Floyd’s death

‘I Just Want to Live’ considered by many as the Black Lives Matters Anthem

By Bruce Hope bruce@opcfla.com
Posted 12/16/20

OAKLEAF – Keedron Bryant simply wanted an outlet to appeal for social justice and awareness. He got so much more.

The 13-year-old online student of Oakleaf Junior High gained worldwide fame with …

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Oakleaf’s Bryant wins acclaim for emotional song about George Floyd’s death

‘I Just Want to Live’ considered by many as the Black Lives Matters Anthem


Posted

OAKLEAF – Keedron Bryant simply wanted an outlet to appeal for social justice and awareness. He got so much more.

The 13-year-old online student of Oakleaf Junior High gained worldwide fame with his performance of the song “I Just Want to Live” after it was selected by The Associated Press as its Song of the Year.

The song, written by his mother, Johnetta Bryant, had initially been her way of expressing her feelings about the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. Bryant talked frankly to her children frankly about racism and the growing turmoil in the country. After watching the video of Floyd’s death, she told her son to meditate and pray about the situation.

He decided to sing the song his mother’s song.

Although he was already known is some music circles, “I Just Want to Live” took the boy’s exposure and popularity to a new level.

Bryant’s song went viral after it was shared on the internet. He was contacted by celebrities the sports, politics and entertainment worlds like LeBron James, Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres, Beyonce and Jay-Z, as well as former president Barack Obama.

“It was just going like wildfire,” said Johnetta Bryant. “So many people reaching out to Keedron, even from Beyonce and Jay-Z calling him on the phone; that first couple days was like ‘Whoa.’”

The song’s success led to interest from many record labels, including Warner, with whom he signed a recording contract.

Bryant is excited about his early successes and the chances to pursue his dreams.

"I'm just so grateful for all the opportunities," he said. "I can’t wait to see all the other opportunities coming next year.”

“Our assistant principal just raves about what standup, nice young man he [Bryant] is,” said Oakleaf Junior High Principal Kristin Rousseau. “He is very talented. We heard about Keedron first when he was on the TV show Little Big Shots. That was the first time I was able to hear Keedron sing. We blasted that out on our Facebook page. We were all extremely proud. We’re excited for his success.”

Bryant didn’t sing with the school chorus, but he’s been active in his church choir.

His parents knew that he had unique gifts from a young age.

“With Keedron, there’s the old saying, ‘I’ve been singing all my life,’ that is definitely not cliché. That’s his story,” said his mother, Johnetta. “He grew up around music in our home. My husband and I, we sing, so that’s in his genes. About when he was like 5 or 6 or so, we knew, wow, this kid is amazing. Singing is what he does and who he is, and it inspires him.”

With all of the success and fanfare, Bryant remains grounded. His is an online student is due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to his mother, if not for the pandemic, he would in the classroom.

“COVID was the reason why we chose that,” said Johnetta Bryant. “He would love to be in school. He still likes to be with his friends. Of course, moving forward, you never know what it’s going to call for.”

The Bryants have ensured that Keedron remains focused on getting a good education, no matter where the music takes him. He wants to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta in the future to study music.

Along with social injustice, music is definitely something Keedron is passionate about. He feels it’s his purpose.