2023 promotional single by Halle and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi
"Keep It Movin' " was released on November 11, 2023 through Gamma Records as the first promotional single from the soundtrack album of the 2023 film The Color Purple . [ 1] The song is performed by the film actresses Halle Bailey and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as the younger versions of Nettie and Celie.[ 2] [ 3]
The song received positive receptions, winning the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Original Song and was shortlisted for Best Original Song at the 96th Academy Awards .
Background and composition
After the announcing of The Color Purple , the second film adaptation of the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker after Steven Spielberg 's 1985 film , Kris Bowers was named as the composer of the score.[ 4]
American record production and songwriting duo Nova Wav , composed by Denisia Andrews and Brittany Coney were involved in the project by the director Blitz the Ambassador .[ 5] The duo wrote and composed original song "Keep It Movin", with Morten Ristorp and Halle Bailey .[ 1] The song is performed by Bailey with Phylicia Pearl Mpas.[ 6] In an interview with TheWrap Andrews explained the writing and production sessions of the song:[ 5]
[Halle Bailey] had some sense of what her scenes were going to be and came in with some ideas. I’m happy that we didn’t see it beforehand, because I think it would have stifled our creativity. We would have been overthinking it. We went off emotions and what we thought it should feel like. Sonically it’s a little bit different in the instrumentation you use, for instance — we wouldn’t normally use harmonica in an everyday record. But it pushes up our creative boundaries.
— Denisia Andrews on "Keep It Movin'"
Reception
The song received two nominations at the 14th Hollywood Music in Media Awards for Best Original Song — Feature Film and Best Song — Onscreen Performance (Film).[ 7] It even won at the Black Reel Awards of 2024 for Outstanding Original Song .[ 8]
In December 2023, the song was shortlisted for Best Original Song at the 96th Academy Awards .[ 9]
References
^ a b Major, Michael (November 13, 2023). "Halle Bailey Co-Wrote a New Song For The Color Purple Movie Musical" . BroadwayWorld.com . Retrieved December 18, 2023 .
^ Culwell-Block, Logan (November 15, 2023). "Upcoming The Color Purple Movie Musical Will Include Cut Song From the Stage Score" . Playbill . Retrieved November 26, 2023 .
^ Abraham, Mya (December 15, 2023). " 'The Color Purple' Soundtrack, Omarion, And More Soul-Stirring R&B Of The Week" . Vibe . Retrieved December 18, 2023 .
^ Tangcay, Jazz (December 4, 2023). " 'Origin' and 'The Color Purple' Composer Kris Bowers Shares Gratitude for Kobe Bryant Mentorship, Ava DuVernay Collaborations and Scoring Empowering Stories" . Variety . Retrieved December 9, 2023 .
^ a b Clark, Jason (November 20, 2023). " 'The Color Purple': How Nova Wav Kept the Broadway Beat" . TheWrap . Retrieved November 27, 2023 .
^ Davis, Clayton (November 11, 2023). "Warner Bros. Plans to Submit Two Original Songs From 'The Color Purple,' Plus One 'Wonka' Tune Sung by Timothée Chalamet" . Varuety . Retrieved November 27, 2023 .
^ Grein, Paul (November 2, 2023). "Songs From 'Barbie' Pace 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominations (Full List)" . Billboard . Retrieved November 7, 2023 .
^ Complex, Valerie (December 15, 2023). "Black Reel Awards Nominations: 'The Color Purple' And 'Rustin' Dominate" . Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved December 16, 2023 .
^ Bergeson, Samantha (21 December 2023). "2024 Oscar Shortlists Unveiled: 'Barbie,' 'Poor Things,' 'Maestro,' and 'The Zone of Interest' Make the Cut" . IndieWire . Retrieved 21 December 2023 .
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