Jon Batiste and youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman pay tribute to Empire State Building

For nearly 90 years, the Empire State Building has not only defined the skyline of New York, it has also stood as a symbol of American ingenuity and determination. In honor of the soaring tower’s creators, the nations first Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman, headed to the observation deck with pianist Jon Batiste. Here is their performance of “The Republic Rising,” an original composition created for "CBS This Morning."
Watch "CBS This Morning" HERE: bit.ly/1T88yAR
Download the CBS News app on iOS HERE: apple.co/1tRNnUy
Download the CBS News app on Android HERE: bit.ly/1IcphuX
Like "CBS This Morning" on Facebook HERE: on. 1LhtdvI
Follow "CBS This Morning" on Twitter HERE: bit.ly/1Xj5W3p
Follow "CBS This Morning" on Instagram HERE: bit.ly/1Q7NGnY
Get new episodes of shows you love across devices the next day, stream local news live, and watch full seasons of CBS fan favorites anytime, anywhere with CBS All Access. Try it free! bit.ly/1OQA29B
Each weekday morning, "CBS This Morning" co-hosts Gayle King, Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil deliver two hours of original reporting, breaking news and top-level newsmaker interviews in an engaging and informative format that challenges the norm in network morning news programs. The broadcast has earned a prestigious Peabody Award, a Polk Award, four News & Documentary Emmys, three Daytime Emmys and the 2017 Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast. The broadcast was also honored with an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award as part of CBS News division-wide coverage of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Check local listings for "CBS This Morning" broadcast times.

[@Dhk4]

Anybody here after seeing her incredible Inauguration performance? She is phenomenal, truly. 🙏🏽

[@chrisl2466]

Absolutely!

[@philipcallado5693]

I am. Just a stunning performance. And Jon Batiste can really play that piano.

[@karlconnolly3994]

Yup... a beautiful light in the darkness x

[@2thePtBassTuT]

Yes! The more I listen to her phenomenal recitations, the more impressed I get. She is inspiring!

[@jacksonbangs6603]

Same here!

[@markmahan6868]

Sweet Jesus this is a stunning supernova of beauty. Like the rest of the world I'm asking myself how I could have been so unaware of this immense giant of a talent. My heart is full to bursting with gratitude and wonder. In these trying times her presence gives us solace and hope. Thank you Amanda and Jon.

[@royramnath1864]

Absolutely amazing

[@twinEAH]

My sentiments exactly. The wisdom of the ages is embodied in this young woman! 💪👍😇🇺🇲🗽

[@happy1831]

Mark, agree through the sharing of love 🌹🌹🌹

[@jr032582]

aside from the inauguration, I'm here because Stephen Colbert mentioned it during his short segment with John Batiste

[@jeffreyjohnsonii9047]

Her rhetorical genius at the 2021 Inauguration brought me here. And I'm glad about it.

[@tracy4591]

Jon and Amanda are both a treasure and a blessing. The world is a better place bc of them ❤ 🌎

[@happy1831]

🙏🏼🌹🌻

[@leilanik.3918]

Jon Batiste and Amanda Gorman smashed it! The music and poetry was awe inspiring! ❤️🇺🇸👍🏼

[@lf1496]

The spirit of the Harlem Renaissance burns bright in both of those two great artists. Amanda Gorman and Jon Baptiste together, what a tour de force👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@yawoelevn]

Jon batiste the most talented underrated artist out there.

[@xsagemasterx]

shes an amazing performer, and jon batiste fits in the hope for a new america, renaissance time!!

[@noraannoche-kemithompson4020]

Powerful. So eloquent both poetry and music.

[@johnanderson8096]

My mother worked there.... early 40's... got fired from her job for talking to much... one of those fun family stories... I miss my Mom!!!

[@fleaflicker1451]

⚘ Her love for you never ends. 💗

[@MelchizOyamo]

She's an Empress

[@robinvolpi]

I recently lost my own Beloved Mother (best Friend) on December 29th, 2020 to a debilitating neurological illness. I cared for her to the very end, witnessing her last breath as I stroked her arm and spoke to her. It is Devastating.

[@fleaflicker1451]

@@robinvolpi worst moment ever, takes your knees out. that very first time i was going to call her . . . took me out again. its beautiful. she witnessed your first breath and you held her hand as she took her last... you are incredibly brave she is lucky to have you there at that moment. 🕊🌈 🌠🌌💖

[@ginany3565]

@@fleaflicker1451 your words made my eyes well up.

[@VEGANSAM]

This woman is SOOOOOO amazing! And Batiste's composition is SO perfect for this! WOW!

[@VEGANSAM]

@Genesis Ramirez If she does anything for you...as she did & does for her daughter, you are an immensely fortunate being... Make the most of it. :-)

[@renewilson2540]

A lot of us are late on this genius, you had a head start!

[@VEGANSAM]

@@renewilson2540 And I've known of her long before this comment...which I owe to CBS news. They've championed & appreciated her for many years...& I'm sure Gayle had a lot to do with it. :-)

[@sonderexpeditions]

Amazing! Binging her videos after seeing her at inauguration 2021.

[@joymccalla8310]

I’m learning so much about this beautiful young black poet. She is truly amazing and positive role model.

[@BaldwinBay]

Support The Arts America! American youth are making our future brilliant.

[@cherimerrifield8907]

John Batiste was an excellent accompaniment . He is genius as well.

[@gwendolynhinson4496]

What an awesome talent she has?!? What a 'phenomenal' woman she is?!?! And oh-how matter of fact she delivers such great works of TRUTH?!?! LoveLove

[@cherimerrifield8907]

Your beauty is infinite. Thank you so much........the world has found you now, we will never let you go.

[@cwj144]

Could someone explain why 23 people dislike this she is amazing young women.

[@cwj144]

@Richard Pierpoint sadly yes

[@Marie0575]

How could I have not known about this fabulous young woman? She's just amazing.

[@rosemarysexoticsebooks6037]

The Piano accompaniment was so beautiful to the poem. She did great.

[@OriginalBigThing]

I can listen to this Patriot voice and Patriot piano... endlessly.

[@marshajoyner7475]

I'm so proud of our young lady and Jon Batiste. Thank you for airing this fantastic piece. I'm going to send it to everyone on my list for Thanksgiving

[@bobbiesmith5118]

Every alphabet, vowel and annuication, you so beautiful in your dark glowing skin cast a spell vocally that touches my heart. I love your words so sweetly spoken.

[@mickeywood3012]

This young lady communicates through poetry like nobody else I have ever have heard. The piano accompaniment takes this level of COMMUNICATION to a whole new level. Simply BEAUTIFUL.

[@coupur]

Wish i saw this a year ago when it came out cause i could have been crying tears of joy even sooner!

[@ReadingF.758]

I love the combo...they are both so talented...so unique in their fields.

[@daveapplemotors]

Where is Jon's radiant smile? I don't think I have ever heard him play without seeing his teeth. I love Jon. And I love Amanda Gorman. Thank you, good people.

[@beahawa]

AMAZING - WHAT TALENT, WHAT A BLESSING!!!

[@madelineschultz4968]

These two artists represent all the very best of us! Wow!

[@kathyd2595]

Two beautiful people with love, artistry, and compassion.💞

[@rul4522]

Both are incredible!!

[@alwaysuseless]

In its first 13 months on KZbin, this video got 13 comments. Since Biden's inauguration 4 days ago, it's gained 100 more. Amanda Gorman has taken us by storm. What a delight that she and the talented Jon Batiste teamed up for this. Thanks for this tribute!

[@arizonatumbleweeds628]

Wow, what a talented word weaver Ms. Gorman is. And her lamentations paired with Mr. Batiste's liquid instrumations.........a God thing.

[@Lynn.Panadero4242]

No words.

[@halhuffman]

What an amazing piece! Thank you CBS This Morning!

[@siger03]

Wow! She's a storm! I'd love to see her collab with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 👑

[@ReeceDee]

She is spitting 🔥 bars.....please tell me she has some tracks floating out there. More talented than most of the billboard 100 🤣

[@renewilson2540]

She does!

[@cm6815]

Not surprised about the display of professionalism. And Jon Batiste wasn’t bad either. 😆

[@charlottemandeilunga6465]

Incredible collaboration between Amanda and Jon Batiste

[@oosung]

She brings chills throughout my bones, not to mention, goose bumps.... very powerful and awakening

[@toriaferguson4206]

I see we've all become a fan of Amanda. So much wisdom is found in her words, expression s and tone.

[@gracefogarty6764]

Two of the biggest Icons in America in 2021! We need more of these two! Thanks for using your God given talent!!!

[@mamatembo24]

I love this. So wonderful to see her 14 months ago. AND hear Jon Batiste play more than he ever gets to on Colbert!

[@paularyan7306]

So happy someone is willing to talk about how great we can be when we work to honor all that has been given by others in service to the building of our Country.

[@RangerBob2541]

Absolutely! What a USA Treasure!

[@irenewilkinson1237]

Their combined performance is stunning

[@olfuc4404]

BRAVO, Amanda and Jon. God Bless the both of you, what a gift you are to the Country at this time in our history. Bravo!

[@alphabah9822]

Proud to be from NYC

[@sstudley82]

Here b/c Jon talked about this colab after the inauguration 🔥 🎶

[@nycgirl6978]

Excellence! Chill bumps, love my city, much work to be done. “One country, we ain’t done see”

[@buzzby48]

Incredible and very moving

[@kerrim1792]

Two of my favorite artists together. Sublime!

[@jkstudyroom]

Talk is cheap! Genius is perspiration at its best!

[@wahyuindrasto8307]

*WOW ... that's all i can say. Stay true, Amanda, and keep creating.*

[@sharonphillips4584]

Wow!!!!!😃

[@Bridge3]

Phenomenal poet Amanda Gorman and great musician Jon Batiste

[@afroillipino]

Bravo!!!!!! I love how she dances with her hands to the song of her poetry!

[@joemanly9519]

She is just a talented beam of light. Batiste ain't bad either.

[@lorrieruff4402]

That was beautiful, they need to spend more time together and do this type of work. Truly a uplifting, of words and music.

[@cobraalaniz149]

I seen this. Talk about powerful.

[@olgarhodes1648]

Very Beautifully done Mr.John Batiste , & Amanda!!Thank you!Sending greetings, & Love from El Paso, Texas!😘🙌💕🎹🎶🇺🇸

[@edwardabel3716]

Amanda, Your Poem and Jon’s performance brings me to tears of joy !!

[@ozio7694]

Loving poetry all over again ❤

[@LLL3712]

When I get to any videos of Amanda after the inauguration port and see 1 year ago I look lost for my ignorance of her all this time! Amazing talent

[@Saiiiofcc]

Wow !!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are amazing. God Bless You . God Bless America.

[@vlp4469]

I think she likes yellow and red together...she wore yellow and red at inauguration... She looks great and is a great talent.

[@BronzDano]

I’m a huge fan of Jon Batiste, poetry and beautiful women...how have I not heard of her before the inauguration?!

[@bagobo2]

Two superstars 🤩

[@natbfunky]

Amanda The Poet Our Future is in your hands , keep writing and loving the things that make you happy ✌️

[@emilynewton1921]

Just watched Her at the inauguration. I watch it at least every other week. It gives me hope.

[@PW-kf1kw]

Wow! She is amazing! What a gift!

[@jacksonbangs6603]

I am here after hearing her at President Biden inageration.

[@simplifyingdelicious4340]

I ❤

[@lissarodrigues8950]

I have never heard about her before. Only after the inauguration.

[@dhoffman4955]

Two symbiotic blessed talents

[@v.n.2039]

I‘m impressed... have no words... wow! 👏

[@andrewomorodion8495]

Simply Amazing Amanda rocks!!

[@peteratassiborges]

beautiful

[@allhailme8457]

Breathtakingly beautiful

[@ohnezuckerohnefett]

Is this the most talented clip on KZbin?

[@deborahrenee]

Wonderful combination...truly masterful!

[@msjilani307]

Absolutely beautiful. Two geniuses.

[@tfox285]

Beautiful duet.

[@hikintrailsndrinkinales]

THIS!!! How incredibly moving!

[@goodsmile5170]

What a duet !!!! Epic

[@junebriggs7946]

They are both awesome!

[@loulounana8690]

We ARE ART...What a beauty!😭❤

[@leetyler4122]

So gifted.

[@ginamitembe8935]

WOW 🥺!! Two beautiful talented youngesters!! 👌👌👏👏💯 Breathtaking!! Bravoooooo👍❣️

[@CClearly0]

Love them both ! Great collaboration of tome and tone , thank you

[@MrBenja1000]

incriblemente conmovedora, piano man....awesome, thank you!!!

[@cynthiathomas2449]

AMAZING!

[@marystephens765]

Both are incredible talents

[@judithdion7746]

Amazing! Thank you Jon and Amanda for this piece to brighten the day.

[@marymcginn8761]

Dayum!!! That was amazing! I want more of this for our country during these next 4 years, at least!

[@HopskotchBunny]

Thank you Amanda Gorman and John Batiste! You both are extremely amazing! Sending an outpouring of love to you both!

[@Joy-sp3il]

Wow! I have no word

[@amazing152]

She is Truly Amazing, so proud of her!

[@e.terrelonge-griffithdefra9329]

They were both Great!

[@lynnepatton3006]

I have goosebumps. 💖

[@LJLion]

Wonderful!