Playing for Change was designed to connect people around the world through music. Founders Mark Johnson and Whitney Kroneke’s focus is to record and film musicians performing naturally across the globe, all from their mobile recording studio. From their travels across the world, Song Around The World was born, where each song is recorded and filmed live outside and is compiled together to offer a variety of perspectives and cultures.

As a proud sponsor of Playing for Change, A-T has provided audio equipment, like a variety of microphones and professional headphones including the ATH-M50x, to join in their mission of inspiring artists through music. If you haven’t already, check out our roundup of some of the most popular Playing for Change songs to see what their mission is all about.

With so many great performances, we’ve rounded up our favorite Playing for Change Song Around The World hits. Check out the videos below for inspiring and memorable performances.

“Natural Mystic/Just a Little Bit”

The idea for this mash-up of the Bob Marley original song “Natural Mystic” and Paula Fuga’s “Just a Little Bit” was created back in 2013 by co-founder Mark Johnson. With the unfortunate living conditions of the Congo, Bob Marley’s “Natural Mystic” lyrics came to Mark Johnson’s mind. With the addition of Fuga’s “Just a Little Bit” and musician Jack Johnson’s unique sound, Mark Johnson’s goal with this song was to take listeners from the darkness to the light with the message of creating a better planet.

“Iko Iko”

Putting a Playing for Change spin on this New Orleans and Mardi Gras favorite, “Iko Iko” is performed by Dr. John along with the Grateful Dead’s Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart. As a New Orleans classic, this performance also includes New Orleans’ luminaries Ivan Neville, Donald Harrison, and George Porter, Jr., and more, in addition to musicians from Central Africa’s Congo.

“Audion”

 

Written by musician, composer and one of the best guitar players of Argentina according to Rolling Stone, Nico Bereciartua, “Audion” was created. The song’s melody was inspired by some of Nico’s favorite musicians like Furrey Lewis and Blind Willie Johnson and the name was inspired by the technology used to record the song. Performed by Nico and musicians across the USA, India, Italy and more, this is a great song with smooth and uplifting instrumentals for easy listening.