Artists|December 29, 2021 11:12 EST
GRAMMY Award winner Damon Little earns his first #1 on Billboard Gospel airplay chart
ATLANTA, GA - GRAMMY Award winner, songwriter, soul singer, and activist Damon Little radio hit single “Stand Up” landed at #1 on Billboard Gospel AirPlay chart recently. Powered by radio promotions firm By Any Means Necessary the emotionally charged song “Stand Up” reached the Gospel Airplay chart in its 44th week, completing the fourth-longest trip to #1 and is the longest running top 30 radio single in 2021. “Stand Up” also landed at #8 on the Year-End 2021 Gospel AirPlay chart and Little ranks #10 on the Year-End 2021 Gospel AirPlay Artists chart.
On October 19, 2021, the Baltimore native premiered his long-awaited seven-and-a-half-minute-long concept music video for “Stand Up.” The powerful imagery comprising the music video for “Stand Up” presses classical Civil Rights Movement concepts and themes including one of the most famous sites in Civil Rights history: the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where, in March 1965, peaceful protesters were attacked by police engaged in the enforcement of segregation. Half a century later, Little takes to the Bridge with a group of marchers and throws a celebration of his own — and reminds us all of how far we still have to go. He’s also provided us with plenty of footage of Selma, including nighttime shots of the disused Washington Street Supermarket, the imposing Dallas County Courthouse, and the moving plaques in the Civil Rights Memorial Park. When Little stands up before a judge and defends a client beaten by the cops, his call for justice echoes across the entire storied city.
“Stand Up” is a call for unity, equality, and compassion — a firm and friendly handshake offered to humanity on behalf of God. Little has always put advocacy at the heart of his project: he’s consistently spoken out on behalf of civil rights and universal brotherhood, and he’s raised consciousness and promoted education about ostomies, a medical condition that affects half a million Americans. The new song follows the artist’s extraordinary run of gospel hits, which include the defiant “I Won’t Be Defeated,” the prayerful “Because Of You,” the heartfelt “Be Alright,” and many others. Released on February 5 via Little World Music/Partners Music company, “Stand Up” is produced by Bubby Fann and Damon Little who’s also credited as the song’s sole songwriter.
Watch “Stand Up” Music Video here: https://youtu.be/fp8QNq_GreY
Download or stream "Stand Up" now: https://smarturl.it/DamonLittle
Lauded by a warm reception from music critics across the country the miniature movie continues to gain rave reviews:
There’s no dismissing this as amateurish; this single is cut from an iconic cloth ~ Michael Stover, musicexistance.com
Damon Little croons “Stand Up” to lyrics that sound culled from late ‘60s message music and an arrangement that evokes ‘70s Al Green ~ Robert Marovich, Journal Of Gospel Music
Little exhibits a surplus of warmth and positive energy, singing and testifying in a voice that simultaneously evokes Sunday service, a smoky jazz club, and the soul classics of Al Green and the Spinners. ~ Jerry Doby, TheHypeMagazine
He’s literally riding the beat, and while that gives this track more of an R&B aesthetic than some gospel purists might be comfortable with, it’s precisely what’s going to bring this player even more attention than he would have received otherwise. ~ Mindy McCall, IndiePulse Music Magazine