Last week, on our facebook fan page, we posted a video of four young men smiling, dancing and having fun to the sounds of inspirational group Sounds Of Blackness song, “Optimistic.” The video was a favorite on facebook and instagram.
As it turns out, the video was created by internet sensation, Jay Versace, known as the funniest teenager on the planet. At the top of 2017, he initially posted the entertaining video of him and his friends enthusiastically dancing (seen in the above video) to the 1991 hit song in the middle of the road with a message of positivity about the new year.
Lyrics of the song are so inspiring:
“When in the midst of sorrow
You can’ t see up when looking down
A brighter day tomorrow will bring
You hear the voice of reason
Telling you this can’t never be done
No matter how hard reality seems
Just hold on to your dreams
Don’t give up and don’t give in
Although it seems you never win
You will always pass the test
As long as you keep your head to the sky
You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky
You can win as long as you keep your head to the sky
Be optimistic”
Versace’s dance video has transformed into a challenge, the #OptimisticChallenge–a much-needed challenge in these days of loss, depression and pessimism. Following Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 45th president of the United States, many of us have been left feeling “some kind of way” (as the young folks say) about the next four years, the future of this country and our lives in general.
The #OptimisticChallenge was made even more popular by award-winning rapper, Chance The Rapper, who chooses to look for light at the end of the tunnel instead of the darkness. This brand-new viral challenge is encouraging people to keep their chins up during these challenging political times.
Here’s Chance’s video below:
The #OptimisticChallenge has been so successful so far, it’s even inspired the creators of the original song, Sounds of Blackness, to do their own video too! See below:
It’s also increased Sounds of Blackness record sales! In the week ending Jan. 19 (and, thus, encompassing less than one full day of reaction to Chance the Rapper’s tweet), “Optimistic” increased by 348 percent to 1,000 downloads sold daily! That’s good for its No. 15 start on the multi-metric Hot Gospel Songs chart and its No. 5 launch on Gospel Digital Song Sales. (The Sounds of Blackness have charted six titles on Top Gospel Albums, between 1991 and 2011, led by the No. 4-peaking Africa to America… in 1995.)
Other’s have even chimed in and created their own videos. Take a look on the next page to see more…
and…
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