For possibly the first time, a piece of videogame music got performed on America’s Got Talent. The Angel City Chorale choir, comprising 145 singers, appeared on the show earlier this week and sung Baba Yetu, the wonderful theme song from Civilization IV. And they absolutely nailed it.
Baba Yetu was composed by Christopher Tin for the game in 2005, which became the first videogame song ever to win a Grammy – in the ‘Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)’ category. The Angel City Chorale busted out an incredible rendition of the song in front of the America’s Got Talent audience and panel of judges, which included Simon Cowell, the Spice Girls’ Mel B, and Olivia Munn.
“I wanted to start something to give back to the community,” conductor Sue said about the choir ahead of their audition, which took place recently, during season 13 of the show. “We try to represent diversity – [where] different religions, different ages, black, white, rich, poor, gay, straight… even Republicans and Democrats can sit next to each other.”
You can listen to the original version of Baba Yetu by Christopher Tin right here, or check out the choir’s version below.
After the performance Olivia Munn gave the choir a Golden Buzzer, ensuring they would go through to the live show – where they will hopefully perform an equally bombastic rendition of the Monkey Island theme tune.