Mavis Staples Honors Frank Ocean With Soulful ‘Godspeed’ Cover

Legendary soul singer Mavis Staples released a moving cover of Frank Ocean’s “Godspeed,” from his 2016 album Blonde. Produced by Brad Cook, the rendition features a spoken word segment by poet Kara Jackson, blending reverence with Staples’ signature gospel style. In a statement, Staples praised Ocean’s writing and emotional depth, calling the song’s opening line “crushing.” She also announced a tour spanning North America and Europe, including stops at jazz festivals and major venues through October. This project follows her 2022 album Carry Me Home, a posthumous collaboration with Levon Helm. Staples continues to influence and uplift with her unmistakable voice and timeless presence.

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Watch Mavis Staples’ cover of “Godspeed” on YouTube

Source: BET