Career:
Jon Batiste was born in Kenner, Louisiana, into a long line of musicians, including Lionel Batiste and Harold Battiste. At the age of 8, he played percussion and drums with his family's band, the Batiste Brothers Band. At his mother's suggestion, he switched to piano at the age of 11. Jon developed his piano skills by taking classical music lessons and transcribing songs from video games such as Street Fighter Alpha, Final Fantasy VII and Sonic the Hedgehog.
At 17, Batiste released Times in New Orleans. He attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts with Trombone Shorty and graduated in 2004 before going on to receive a bachelor's and master's degree from the Juilliard School. While at Juilliard, he released his second album Live in New York: At the Rubin Museum of Art, and by the end of 2006, had been a featured performer in South Africa, London, Lisbon, Spain, Paris and the United States.
In 2007, Batiste made his debut at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam at the age of 20, both producing and performing his own show. He conducted music clinics, classes and workshops throughout Netherlands in inner city schools and underprivileged neighborhoods. He was invited back to Carnegie Hall to produce and perform in his own show including six young musicians from the Netherlands. The performance concluded with a finale he composed for choir, jazz combo and orchestral instruments. In the year following, Batiste released a number of music projects including Social Music (2013) which spent over a month at the top of the Billboard and iTunes jazz charts, "The Late Show EP" (2016) with Stay Human and a holiday album "Christmas with Jon Batiste" (2016). In 2017, he released the singles "Ohio" with Leon Bridges and Gary Clark Jr. as well as "Battle Hymn of the Republic" for The Atlantic. Batise's debut solo album Hollywood Africans was released under Verve Records in September 2018. "Don't Stop" served as the lead single. Leading up to the album release, Batiste completed a Summer Festival tour across the U.S. with The Dap-Kings.
Batiste's notable career performances include a tribute to Chuck Berry and Fats Domino during the 60th annual Grammy Awards (performing alongside Gary Clark Jr.), the Kennedy Center Honors in tribute to Carmen De Lavallade, the Concert for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama as well as the National Anthem at the 2017 NBA All Star Game and Opening Night of the 2017 US Open. He has curated the Global Citizen Advocacy Concert with Tom Morello and the Louis Armstrong Wonderful World Festival in Queens, N.Y. Batiste is currently signed with Mick Management.
Stay Human.
In 2005, Batiste began performing regularly around the New York music scene with his Juilliard peers, bassist Phil Kuehn and drummer Joe Saylor. He later added Eddie Barbash on alto saxophone and Ibanda Ruhumbika on tuba. Batiste named the band Stay Human, which draws its moniker from the belief that human interaction during a live musical performance can uplift humanity in the midst of the "plug in/tune out" nature of modern society. The band leads impromptu street performances, which Batiste calls "love riots."
In 2011, Stay Human released the album MY N.Y., which was recorded in its entirety on New York City Subway trains, an idea that came to Batiste after questioning how to connect with people.
On April 22, 2017, the band played for the March for Science rally at the Washington Monument in Washington D.C.
Television and film:
In 2014, Batiste and Stay Human appeared on The Colbert Report to perform the group's single, "Express Yourself", written and produced with Austin Bis. On June 4, 2015, it was announced that the group would serve as house band on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The show premiered on CBS on September 8, 2015. On the show, Batiste and Stay Human have performed alongside Billy Joel, Will Smith, Wynton Marsalis, John Legend, Grace Vanderwaal, and Nas.
Batiste was cast in the HBO television series Treme, appearing in seasons 2, 3 and 4. He was also cast as T.K. Hazelton in director Spike Lee's film Red Hook Summer and composed and performed the Hammond B-3 organ music that was a part of the film score. Other film scores composed by Batiste include the television documentary Duke 91 & 92: Back to Back and the short film Melody of Choice. He also appears in the film Thrive by Paul Szynol.
Miscellaneous.
Batiste was included in the 2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 music list and was named Grand Marshal of Endymion Parade in New Orleans in 2018. He has been awarded the American Jazz Museum Lifetime Achievement Award, the Harry Chapin ASCAP Humanitarian Award and the Movado Future Legend Award. In May 2017, Batiste received an honorary degree from Salve Regina University for his musical achievements and contributions to Newport's 2014 International Jazz Day.
Batiste has been featured in campaigns for Chase Bank, Apple Watch, Lincoln Continental, and numerous fashion brands including Ralph Lauren, Barneys, Nordstrom, Frye Boots and Bonobos.
In April 2022, his album 'We Are' won Album of the Year at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, making Batiste the first Black artist to win the award since Herbie Hancock in 2008.
Discography
Times in New Orleans (2005)
Live in New York: At the Rubin Museum of Art (2006)
In the Night (2008)
The Amazing Jon Batiste! (2009)
MY N.Y. EP (2011) with Stay Human
Social Music (2013) with Stay Human
The Process (2014) with Chad Smith and Bill Laswell
The Late Show EP (2016) with Stay Human
Christmas with Jon Batiste (2016)
Music of Johny Lewis (2017) with Wynton Marsalis
Hollywood Africans (2018)
WHATCHUTALKINBOUT
Jon Batiste Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never will lose the space that I choose,
It's mine, I find it′s inevitable
Benevolent dude, I never refuse the truth when it hurts,
But it's good for you
Don't always look fly, just a regular guy
Dude with a hoodie and jeans and a beanie and a size thirteen
Sneak peek out the window
I′m a shy, young guy with a little bit of fame to my name
And the folks really like to come hear me sing
Got you down in the dirt with your messed up shirt
Like a leopard with the fangs, jumpin up off the floor
Hoping and hoping and hoping for more
In the passenger seat, this journey I beast
And I never concede when I′m bringing the funk
I don't even know what you talkin′ about
Every time I pick up the mic
And fam be reppin' and reppin′, I'm like
I never been jailed, I never been popped
I never will have the message of Pac
May never have the voice that you rock
But I dare you to call me and tell me to stop
Didn′t you hear the president sang?
Obama was singing "Amazing Grace"
There's so many things I'm delighted to say
Remember when the country was bae?
Flying a plane to Mars, with bars that rocket me to a new level
I′m chillin′, I'm feelin, I bust through the ceiling
And y′all ain't ready, ′cause
I don't even know whatchutalkinbout!
I don′t even know whatchutalkinbout!
I don't even know whatchutalkinbout!
I don't even know whatchutalkinbout!
I don′t even know whatchutalkinbout!
I don′t even know whatchutalkinbout!
I don't even know whatchutalkinbout!
I don′t even know whatchutalkinbout!
I never deny the brother in need
The more that you talk, the more that we bleed
You cut, you cut, you cut, you cut
And the deeper and deeper and deeper the stream
But this ultra light, not a regular beam
People is bursting up out of the seams
This is reality, not a dream
This is reality, and
I don't even know whatchutalkinbout!
I don′t even know whatchutalkinbout!
I don't even know whatchutalkinbout!
I don′t even know whatchutalkinbout!
I don't even know whatchutalkinbout!
I don't even know whatchutalkinbout!
I don′t even know whatchutalkinbout!
I don′t even know whatchutalkinbout!
As I proceed to do to deliver you the whole freedom of
Freedom fly funk soul food
Overload your mind
Break the space-time continuum
I'm flying a plane to Mars, with bars
They breakin′ me to a new level
But on my new level I still, still, still
Still don't know whatchutalkinbout!
The lyrics to Jon Batiste's "Whatchutalkinbout" describe his journey to a new level of self-discovery and artistic expression. He uses the metaphor of flying a plane to Mars to represent his ascent to a new level of success and creativity. The bars he's referring to are his lyrics and the music he creates that empowers him to reach his destination.
Batiste's dedication to truth is evident in these lyrics. He takes pride in his ability to face reality even when it's painful. He acknowledges that he's not always flashy or glitzy, but he's a regular guy with a low-key style.
The theme of the song seems to be Batiste's insistence on staying true to himself, even as he reaches new heights of artistic achievement. He sounds confident and assured that he's charting his own course, despite what others may think or say about him. The repeated refrain, "I don't even know whatchutalkinbout!" suggests a certain indifference to criticism or outside opinions.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm flying a plane to Mars, with bars that rocket me to a new level
I am on an explosive journey filled with new opportunities and boundless creativity.
I never will lose the space that I choose
It's mine, I find it's inevitable
I am confident in my path, and nothing can deter me from achieving my goals.
Benevolent dude, I never refuse the truth when it hurts,
But it's good for you
I always embrace honesty, even when it is uncomfortable because it is necessary for growth.
Don't always look fly, just a regular guy
Dude with a hoodie and jeans and a beanie and a size thirteen
Sneak peek out the window
Despite my accomplishments, I remain humble and grounded, often dressing casually and enjoying simple pleasures.
I'm a shy, young guy with a little bit of fame to my name
And the folks really like to come hear me sing
Despite my shyness, I have earned a following through my music, which brings joy to those who listen.
Got you down in the dirt with your messed up shirt
Like a leopard with the fangs, jumpin up off the floor
Hoping and hoping and hoping for more
In the passenger seat, this journey I beast
I empower my listeners to strive for more, to be strong and determined in their personal journeys, while I guide them from a higher position.
And I never concede when I'm bringing the funk
I don't even know what you talkin' about
Every time I pick up the mic
And fam be reppin' and reppin', I'm like
I never back down when creating my unique sound, and I am not affected by those who try to bring me down.
I never been jailed, I never been popped
I never will have the message of Pac
May never have the voice that you rock
But I dare you to call me and tell me to stop
I am not the same as other artists, but I am proud of my own experiences and my own unique message, and I won't stop creating and performing.
Didn't you hear the president sang?
Obama was singing 'Amazing Grace'
There's so many things I'm delighted to say
Remember when the country was bae?
I am moved by powerful moments, like when the President sang 'Amazing Grace', and I am nostalgic for simpler times in our country's history.
I'm chillin', I'm feelin', I bust through the ceiling
And y'all ain't ready, 'cause
I don't even know whatchutalkinbout!
I am riding high and breaking through limitations, and those who doubt me are not ready for what comes next.
I never deny the brother in need
The more that you talk, the more that we bleed
You cut, you cut, you cut, you cut
And the deeper and deeper and deeper the stream
I am a compassionate person who stands up for others in need, and I am aware of the harm that words can cause.
But this ultra light, not a regular beam
People is bursting up out of the seams
This is reality, not a dream
This is reality, and
My music is a powerful force that speaks to people's deepest selves, and it transcends normal boundaries of expression and perception.
As I proceed to do to deliver you the whole freedom of
Freedom fly funk soul food
Overload your mind
Break the space-time continuum
I'm flying a plane to Mars, with bars
They breakin' me to a new level
My goal is to give my listeners an unparalleled sense of freedom and release through my music, and take them to new levels of consciousness and understanding.
But on my new level I still, still, still
Still don't know whatchutalkinbout!
Even as I continue to grow and evolve as an artist and person, I am still unclear about others' intentions and motives, but I remain confident nonetheless.
Writer(s): Jon Batiste
Contributed by Grayson I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Creativolt
The entire WE ARE album is 🔥 from start to finish.
I’m just gonna go ahead and say it… it will go down as one of the albums of all time.
@nmbat5036
You see a Jon Batiste notification and you know it’s going to be something amazing ❤️
@maryc333
God: How much talent do you want?
Jon Batiste: Yes
@damianjwz6849
😂
@alexandraferrer450
E X A C T L Y ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ☄️
@saunsiaraybroussard9967
I love this song cousin! You're a very talented young man. I'm so proud of you.
@reginarepp3639
I just found you today and I’m watching everything I can! You are nothing but talent man from head to toe!! I have either been moved by your video to sing and dance or moved to tears. Enjoyed every minute of it
@Knowledgethatsaves
Currently listening to the whole album after the Grammys!!
@fairwitness7473
Fire AF!!!!! I think I have a new fave song!
@WillRose3
1:44 to 2:07 getting some serious old school video game vibes!