Lift Me Up by Lachi and James Ian ft. Gaelynn Lea

The What - Recording artist and award-winning advocate Lachi and acclaimed songwriter James Ian have released a new single and video, “Lift Me Up” featuring Broadway musician Gaelynn Lea, to honor the renowned disability rights activist Judy Heumann who passed away earlier this year. The track celebrates Disability Pride Month and marks the 50th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It was co-written with April Rose, with mixing and mastering from KULICK. The video, directed by Day Al-Mohamed (PBS American Masters) and Catriona Rubenis-Stevens and produced by a majority disabled production team, features three notable Sign Language performers - Amber Galloway, Otis Jones (aka SlntWrld) and Nell Russell. Tony-winner, actress, author and singer Ali Stroker starts the video with an audio description for blind and low-vision audiences.
The Why - According to Lachi, “After my good friend and mentor Judy Heumann passed, I began writing this song really just to cope. And wow this thing has blown up in such a beautiful way. I couldn’t have asked for a better cast of co-writers, performers and crew to lift up inclusion, community and belonging in this way. As artists it is our job to tell compelling stories through competitive art in hopes to create social impact. However, every single human involved in this project worked from a place of love, and it shines brightly through this piece. I believe we as a society are ready. Ready for authentic, compelling, quality content celebrating Disability Culture.”
The How - “Lift Me Up” was released through RAMPD Records, part of the RAMPD organization (Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities). RAMPD is a global network bringing accessibility and inclusion to the music industry has quickly become a difference maker in the industry. The video was created by an award winning, BIPOC, LGBTQ, disabled team, directed and produced by Catriona Rubenis-Stevens, co-directed by Day Al-Mohammed, with DP Caroline Mariko Stucky, edited by Jake Primmerman, and starring three superstar ASL performers.