I went to high school with Jason. We were both in drama club and I was fortunate to share the stage with him just once when he was a senior and I was a junior. I knew his talent would take him far. This song always makes me cry, remembering him. 😥

@mrouttime9072

2 жыл бұрын

Prueba lo

@shannonlee5967

2 жыл бұрын

Do you missed sometimes?

@PrinceTrexus

Жыл бұрын

So sorry for your loss 😢 he was truly talented

@ironwolf434

Жыл бұрын

You met him how good actor and friend was him i wish i met him his voice is special

This song has soo much more meaning knowing that Jason Raize took his life 😢😢

Depression is a killer. Period. Its not to be messed with.

@sophiehanssel2017

3 жыл бұрын

I have depression myself and I AGREE

@kitchenscissors9205

2 жыл бұрын

Apparently what caused his depression is homophobia.

19 years have passed and this beautiful person is still missed to those he touched

Who is still watching this in 2020?

I come watch this every couple years, his light shined so bright. Fly high

30 years ago yesterday my father took his life. I've listened to this song every year since it came out, on this day. 11 years ago tomorrow Jason took his life. RIP Jason. You created something so beautiful and touching.

@59771006

9 жыл бұрын

Believe it or not Jason Raize committed suicide in the country I am from which is Australia he got a job working on farm and then one day he was found hanging in a shed on the farm he had hanged himself.

@patrealynn9749

5 жыл бұрын

why did he kill himself? he had such promise.

@centerfold8

5 жыл бұрын

Douglas Mason may you heal in so sorry for your loss

@TheGapboynokc

4 жыл бұрын

@@centerfold8 Thank you

@Ecila2u

4 жыл бұрын

I still cry when I hear him sing this song.

I still haven't heard anyone perform this song better than he did.

Wow-after reading the blogs and learning this talented young man took his own life and why leads me to believe this song was rather personal to him. He is in a better place.

Such a great singer

I had the honor of working with Jason and he was a SWEETHEART. I hope his family and friends know that he is missed and he will not be forgotten. Amazing talent.

@ironwolf434

Жыл бұрын

Wow my respects

He will always be my favorite Simba, he makes that song look so effortless. Gone too soon, RIP Jason.

@seasea1500

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, the best Simba forever🦁🦁👑👑👑😇😇💓💕 💞💞

@shizukagozen777

4 жыл бұрын

He is dead ??? 😦💔

@Mauccampos

4 жыл бұрын

@@shizukagozen777 yes, he committed suicide. =/

@shizukagozen777

4 жыл бұрын

@@Mauccampos Yes, I read that in the comments. So sad. :'(

@melvad498

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, this song is truly him....

I'm so glad I got to see him perform this on Broadway. his voice was just so amazing. I've heard other Simba's sing it, but they cannot compare to Jason Raize. may he rest in peace. it makes me so sad whenever I hear this song. Not only because of it's meaning, but because I know that this beautiful talent is no longer with us.

@jeremiahmercks69

Жыл бұрын

Matthew Broderick?

Jason Raize also voiced the character of the middle brother, Denahi in 'Brother Bear' (2003).

@btsarmyforever4527

4 жыл бұрын

Yes! R.I.P. Denahi.

Who else just desperately wants to hug him and make sure he knows how much his art moved people to truthful feelings inside of themselves. #poweroftheatre #powerofmusic #powerofstories

@karenyates8608

2 жыл бұрын

Sometimes I dream that our paths crossed during his last days. That I would have recognized his struggle, that I would have been able to get him the help he needed. That he lived on. It wouldn’t have mattered if he ever performed again, he would have had the opportunity to live out the rest of his days in peace.

I absolutely adore Nick Afoa's version but something about Jason gets me every time. I don't know if it's how soft featured he is or just the knowledge that he took his life after a battle with depression, but I get misty eyed everytime I hear Jason's version.

I still cry whenever I watch this clip, I'm crying now. It's so sad to see someone so young with so much going for him take his own life. I hope you have peace now Jason and are no longer in pain. Thank you for the gift of hearing your beautiful voice which touched my heart.

I remember when I saw him sing this on Broadway. It was so amazing that there was actually a pause between the end of the song and the roar of applause because the audience was in such awe of his voice it took a second to recover.

beautiful voice, beautiful man. If only he realized how many people loved him.

"I know that the night must end and that the sun will rise, and that the sun will rise...." I love this song.

Never forgotten. The Sun will rise. 💖

It breaks my heart to watch this and think of all the incredible performances we missed out on from Jason.

When he sings “sleepless I dream of the day,” he looks so ethereal. Truly beautiful voice and person.

I miss Jason Raize 😭

Impossibly beautiful. Vocal purity unmatched and such raw emotion. RIP Jason, sorely missed.

so tragic, he's crazy beautiful and ridiculously talented

It truly troubles me that he is no longer with us. I cannot listen to this song with out wanting to cry. I finally saw the show tonight, and during this song all I could think about was Jason Raize. I have never been so troubled by the fact that someone is dead, as i am when it comes to him. It seriously hurts and it feels unfair. I don't know why but i just wish he were still with us, that I knew him, just ughgghhh =(

@stephanielee593

9 жыл бұрын

javarie19 I feel the same way….

@CozyHobbit31

8 жыл бұрын

+stephanie lee me as well.

@wren4538

7 жыл бұрын

javarie19 same, and no one can beat Jason on who is the best Broadway simba it is clearly Jason I've listened to other people sing this song and they don't use real raw emotion like Jason did thats when you know that someone means it in a song like this is when they put all of their emotions into their singing

@Justicia007

3 жыл бұрын

@@wren4538 he is unparalleled and he always will be. Same kind of a singer as freddie mercury, incredible amounts of talent and puts huge heart into the song.

Rip Jason. You were an amazing singer.

'how can i find my way home. Home is an empty dream!' OMG! Such a sad story! Never heard of him before but love the clips. He surely will be missed!

This man had a spirit of king inside him.... RIP Jason Raize.

My first thought was that he is the most hauntingly beautiful man I had ever laid eyes on and then..he began singing and I got goose bumps all over..the way he sings that song seemed to reach right into my soul..He has the most beautiful male singing voice I have ever heard..truly a god-given talent. May we take comfort in knowing that he most assuredly will be singing in..if not leading god's angelic choir. And I can only hope that when my day comes...his is the voice that carries me home.

I saw this the other night and was blown blown away by Rafiki....brought to tears...and honestly thought grown Simba was a minor role Disney didn't care about...until I saw this...HE IS PHENOMENAL...I had no idea this character meant so much until seeing this...this is a perfect performance and brings such life to the character...it was underperformed in the touring show I just saw....THIS brings me to tears.,,such amazing talent...he will continue to be missed...others pale in comparison.

Saw you Jason on Broadway many years ago with Heather Headly. You still move and live through everything we see. You live in all of us. You would have been proud of the progress your community has made. You live in me!!

Jason will deffinately be missed! No one can ever play simba quiet as well as he did. RIP!

Jason Raise was my alumni at my college, AMDA (American Music & Dramatic Academy). I wish he was alive today.

he may be gone, but his voice will be heard for many many years to come... beautiful

This song is definitely my favorite. Jason is extremely excellent singer

There is and was no one like Jason, such a beautiful, raw, heartfelt talent. Gone far too soon... I wish he had been able to find some ray of light in his life... I wish someone had helped him. But, just like the musical says... he lives in all of us.

He was a good will embassador and everything. It really is a shame that he passed. =( Rest In Peace Jason.

He was so beautiful...

Grew up listening to the original cast of Lion King on cassette. Finally back in 2018 I got to see it live in London a year after my dad. This song ripped through me because it’s how I felt and still feel. Losing a parent is the worst.

@taniawania3008

2 жыл бұрын

We have almost the same story! I loved and listened to the original cast recording for over a decade (after being entranced by commercials for it before Disney movies on vhs). Lost my dad in 2016 and saw it on Broadway in 2018. Started sobbing halfway through cricle of life, and cried so hard during Endless Night I can't even remember it. Got the lyrics tatted a year later. It really means so much more when you've lost a parent

I watched this show in different places with different crews and NOWHERE ELSE can be as devoted and a powerful Simba like him. I would say it's the best production even after two decades. No one gives the vibe of Simba like him, So does Mufasa role. The closest ones are the production in Singapore a couple of years ago.

He really was so wonderful... absolutely perfect for such a royal part. He had such a sweet, yet regal face, and god, THAT VOICE. He is missed, his death was a huge loss.

As many times as I've seen this show, it pains me that I never got to see Jason in it! RIP

Over the years I come back to this clip, and I still cry. What an amazing talent, how sad that he could not see "it does get better" It is so important that we show our youth unconditional love and support. All this homophobic hate talk is child abuse. It's not going to keep anyone from becoming gay, all it does is crush the self esteem of anyone who is born gay. They can't help it and you can't change it.

@RileyPoll

8 жыл бұрын

what happened? did he kill himself?

@rbjnla

8 жыл бұрын

+Riley Poll he was struggling with his sexuality, his father would not accept him being gay, so yes, he killed himself. Very sad.

@RonicaAF

8 жыл бұрын

+rbjnla I suspected so. Very sad a Great talent forever gone, but surely not forgotten.

@manda0426

8 жыл бұрын

+rbjnla It is also saddening that, at leas t it seems, no one took notice of his struggles and reached out to him. Being a theatre talent those people, cast, crew, production, all become family. He must have, in my opinion, kept his feelings very buried to not have someone help him and just affirms my belief that even if someone is smiling it does not always mean they are happy

@rbjnla

8 жыл бұрын

+Manda E Agreed. I'm sure, being rejected by his father when he "came out" to him, had a lot to do why he kept his depression to himself.

What I'm feeling every time I listen to this song is so hard to put into words but I'll try. He is by far the best Simba and my favorite Simba. I saw him when I was like 5, a year after they opened and even though I was little, I still remember the experience like it was yesterday. And now, at 23, I still listen to the recording, especially this song and I tear up.. Such a great voice and seemed like a lovely man. :( Lion king has always been my favorite Disney film and it always will be.

The greatest and most amazing Simba. I've seen a few and none have come close to the power and emotion Jason put in his performance. He is simply a beauitful and amazing talented man. RIP Jason. We miss you.

hello to all, yes the lion king show is amazing, my husband is working in the show and they are all amazing and i love all of them. They are all my friends.we are in charlotte north carolina now, just got here yesterday so if anyone who read this we are here for six weeks. good bless to all! i love jason raize! i love the song very much!

It is 2017, and I just found out about Jason Raize now! I cannot get enough of this song or watching him perform it; my heart and soul feel so connected to him, and I see that I am not the only one. This shows me how connected we all are on this planet, and I hope collectively we will open our hearts to let each other in and help each other out.

So blessed to have been able to see him in this role on broadway.. Such a sad loss...

It's a shame I'll never get the chance to see him live D: He's was one of the most talented performers on broadway.

Saw the LION KING yesterday and this song made me cry. I wish I could see it again!!!

From 3:17 on, is when he finally became the King he was born to be. Such emotion! Bravo!

The lyrics are absolute perfection

@shaykell100

8 жыл бұрын

his voice is absolute perfection 😄

I've made a promise to myself that I'm going to see The Lion King on Broadway before I die. This song has inspired me to do so. I only wish Jason Raize was still alive to bless us with his beautiful voice.

I am so glad I got to see him perform this along with my mom & daughters...RIP Mom & RIP Jason

the more and more i hear this song the more i love it i cant belive he's gone he is a really good singer RIP JASON RAIZE U ARE LOVED AND MIST

Gahhh...Jason Raize. Such a beautiful and talented man! Rest in Peace. His voice makes me cry.

I have this video on my computer and I love watching it because Jason Raize is amazing he has a fantastic voice. R.I.P. Jason Raize

From this number on was my favorite part of the whole show

An incredibly beautiful and extraordinarily talented artist. I take courage from this majestic song and pray others will too, in this seemingly endless night we are now experiencing. RIP Jason Raize -- safe beyond this veil of tears.

NPRs tiny desk brought me here not only to listen but to learn his story. True ogs know this song comes on in the credits of the movie, so I listened to this not too long ago during a depression episode, then learned Jason’s story and I couldn’t stop tearing up, hearing just how much emotion he put into this song and it’s meaning. Truly speechless at such talent. This is my fav movie & I hope I can see this on broadway, beautiful soul ❤️

this song makes me cry it reminds me of my dad who died in november and when i went to see lion king in april it was a non stop cry fest for me

His voice is so beautiful I can just cry now :)

When I saw this in London 2 months ago, this song really hit...he really put so much emotion into this, almost cried ;)

I dream and hope to take up the place of this incredible actor for our generation in theater. Hopefully, people will see me as the resurrected Jason Raize!

I never before in my life have ever met a more genuine individual ,and I am sad to have seen him pass.

such a beautiful and moving talent lost way to soon! RIP Jason!

I always watch this video every day. I didn't know he passed until today. Because I always watch this, I feel that he is watching over me. Rest in peace Jason

He's simply the best Simba... No one can ever beat this.

The best Simba ever! i see the Lion king in Holland, uk and New York. Amazing musical. Rip Jason Raize

This was the first virdeo I've ever watched on youtube

R.I.P Jason you were so talented, and are missed!

He is a real Simba. His voice remains in our heart. RIP

In my opinion the best song in the best musical score ever written. And my favorite audition song. I did not know that he has passed. but may God rest this talented soul

this is truly amazing. 2019 and I have only found this such a tragic loss.

@baseetbello665

4 жыл бұрын

Me too

R.I.P Jason wish you won a Posthumous Tony Award for Best Leading actor In a Musical

@Mshottie6

7 жыл бұрын

Well I mean he was still alive by the time Lion King was winning Tonys....he didn't pass until '04.

Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world Jason, even if they were taken away too soon.

Yesterday, I knew the fact that Jason Raize has passed away. I can't really believe. I love his beautiful voice and performance of passion . He'll continue to live in us...

Jason je ne t'ai pas connu mais je sais que tu es un ange, partis bien trop tôt :( ... puisse tu reposer en paix, tu resteras le meilleur Simba pour moi, :) tu es le seul à interpréter cette chanson avec autant d'âme, autant d'émotions, autant de justesse...RIP

I'm homosexual too. I know what he went through. I'm in so much pain

Love you Jason Raize! We all miss you terribly... You will always be the one and only Simba to us.

This song is so soothing. Jason was incredible.

Jason's amazing and I wish he was still here

Thank you so much for posting this vid. I find myself watching it constantly - amazed at his talent, saddened that he's gone, and wondering if some of the emotion he put into the song came from a longing in his own heart that he couldn't fill. The song gives me chills every time I hear it. Thanks again!

I am a huge Les Miz fan, and The Lion King is the only musical that comes the closest to being my favorite. Jason was a very talented young man with a more beautiful soul. He is dearly missed!

dude not just the touching voice but his act! adorable!

Jason, remember, the Sun will rise...

If he really did commit suicide because of his father not accepting him for being gay, then that really breaks my heart. That poor thing. What a terrible feeling. This song is very touching then.

@cra0422

10 жыл бұрын

No one truly knows why he committed suicide. He didn't leave a note and there was no indication that he was going to take his life. Whatever his reason was, he took it to the grave. Any talk about his father rejecting him because of his being gay is just rumor and speculation. There's no evidence that supports that story one way or another.

@DarkwingsDesending

9 жыл бұрын

Did you not see that I wrote the word IF? I did not claim that is why. However, that is what is read the most and according to people that took his father's classes in university, he did hint that this was it. Of course, I cannot say this is 100% proof, but again. I didn't claim that was why he died.

@lau_bowery

4 жыл бұрын

ow, this has hit home so hard

I saw this when I was 8 years old and when he was still in the cast. I know cause I recognized his both singing and normal voice. I wish I remember him singing this song more vividly, cause all I remembered was being very sad at the end of the song. I wish he didn't kill himself he was the best Simba. Thank You Jason, for inspiring me and many other actors and/or singers out there.

I looove him! I saw him when I was a senior in high school in this and it was amazing. I just learned that he is from oneonta... and I go to SUNY Oneonta!! Small world!

This year happens to be 15th anniversary of your passing, Jason! Sorely missed!

Jason raize is right for the job as simba because he has everything the movements and the voice that touched me with his lips and the coustums as the character of simba there is no one else can do better then him is just my own opinion

makes me cry.. what a wonderful song and a wonderful voice!! RIP mate..

I was lucky enough to actually see him in person!! He was super good. I miss him

i remember when my grandma took me for my birthday to see this musical #memories

He had a truly amazing voice. It's unfortunate that I found out about him after his death. I'm sure he was amazing on Broadway.

I saw this in New York and it was absollutly beautiful. i love it and its characters.

i went to see this when I was 14 and as soon as Rafiki Sreamed the intro to The Circle of Life, I wanted to cry. The most beautiful play.

May you rest in peace.