Grammy Award®-winning duo A Great Big World – New Yorkers Ian Axel and Chad King – who made music history with their mega-platinum #1 global hit “Say Something” (with Christina Aguilera), return this week with a brand new single on Epic Records, “Hold Each Other,” arriving July 22nd at radio, iTunes and all digital retail partners.
“Hold Each Other,” a timely and socially conscious track, is the lead single from A Great Big World’s eagerly awaited second album, arriving later this year. With this track, Axel and King explain, “We are hoping that we can inspire people, even just a little, to fearlessly speak their truth when it comes to who they are and who they love.” Get “Hold Each Other” here.
Adding to the impact of “Hold Each Other” is A Great Big World’s introduction of Arizona indie rapper Futuristic. Nearly two years ago, Futuristic’s hip-hop cover of “Say Something” (on YouTube) came to the attention of AGBW, who were blown away by the rising young MC. When the duo decided that “Hold Each Other” should accommodate a rap feature, they reached out to Futuristic, who composed his rhymes overnight!
“Hold Each Other” marks A Great Big World’s first appearance back on the scene since the 57th annual Grammy Award® ceremonies in February, when they brought home the gold for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their RIAA quadruple-platinum #1 “Say Something.”
“Say Something,” a worldwide hit whose video boasts 220 million YouTube views to date, was the highlight of AGBW’s debut album, Is There Anybody Out There? which debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
About A Great Big World:
The magical journey of A Great Big World – Ian Axel and Chad King – really began in the music practice rooms of NYU (New York University) where the two were attending college. In 2012, after a few twists and turns of fate, the friends formed A Great Big World and released a six-song EP funded by Kickstarter. It spawned the viral sensation “Everyone Is Gay” and “This Is the New Year,” which was performed by the cast on Fox’s Glee.
Soon after, Epic Records offered the duo a deal, and issued “Say Something” as their first official single in 2013. Its terse, tearful piano and Axel’s heavenly hypnotic vocals tugged on heartstrings, and struck a chord. After hearing it during a pivotal segment of Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, Christina Aguilera fell in love with the song. She collaborated with AGBW on a new recording of the track that they subsequently performed together on NBC’s The Voice, which launched it to #1 on iTunes. More tv performances followed (The American Music Awards, The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show), culminating with the song’s release on AGBW’s debut album, Is There Anybody Out There? (January 2014).
In addition to the aforementioned tv appearances, AGBW also performed on ABC’s Good Morning America and Live with Kelly & Michael, NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and were the first-ever musical guests on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers. Their sold-out show at New York’s Highline Ballroom was streamed live on VH1.com, who also selected AGBW as their first “You Oughta Know” artist of 2014.
“Say Something” ultimately occupied the #1 spot on iTunes, Billboard’s Digital Songs, Digital Tracks, Adult Top 40, and Hot Dance Club Songs charts, as well as Spotify and Shazam, in addition to going Top 10 on sales charts in 19 countries. After turning in a riveting performance at Clive Davis’ prestigious annual pre-Grammy® party in January 2014, A Great Big World toured from May through August across the U.S. and Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Far East.
For the remainder of 2014, into 2015, A Great Big World has been hard at work on new music which they are eager to present to their legions of fans across the globe. The release of “Hold Each Other” in July 2015, sets the stage for the arrival of their second album later in the year.
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