YouTube star and singer/songwriter Sam Tsui recently performed Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" for an installment of The Recording Academy's ReImagined series at the YouTube Space in Los Angeles. Tsui was joined by his husband, singer Casey Breves, for a new cover of the GRAMMY-winning hit. By pairing YouTube creators with a GRAMMY-winning song catalog, the ReImagined series celebrates the talent and contributions of today's YouTube influencers, the creative spirit, and pays tribute to the artists and songs recognized by The Recording Academy.
"I think the reason I love it is because it tells a really relatable, specific human story," said Tsui on choosing "Need You Now" for his ReImagined performance.
Tsui made his YouTube debut in 2011 with a cover of Adele's "Somebody Like You." He has since amassed more than 2.5 million subscribers and more than 293 million views via his YouTube channel, with a collection of original songs, covers and medleys of songs by GRAMMY-winning artists such as the Band Perry, Bruno Mars, Britney Spears, and Taylor Swift, among others. In 2013 Tsui released his debut album, Make It Up, which features 14 original songs, including the title track and "Heads Up" with Lindsey Stirling. Tsui released his latest single, "Secret," in April.
The title track from Lady Antebellum's 2010 Best Country Album winner, "Need You Now" garnered the group two GRAMMY Awards: Record Of The Year and Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals. The song, which also earned Song Of The Year and Best Country Song honors, peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.