With the Oscar buzz surrounding Aretha Franklin biopic ‘Respect’ already at high volume, lead Jennifer Hudson just upped the ante with the announcement of on original song.
Full story below…
Moments ago, the star trumpeted the incoming release of ‘Here I Am (Singing My Way Home).’
Set to arrive this Friday (June 18), the track is co-written by Hudson alongside Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Carole King and Jamie Hartman.
will.i.am produced the emotional number.
It’ll serve as the only original song on the ‘Respect’ soundtrack.
Speaking on ‘Here I Am,’ Hudson said:
“Music is such a living and breathing character in this film, as it was in Ms. Franklin’s life. The process of creating this song was like constructing the greatest tribute I could possibly offer to her spirit. It was the final exhale of this extraordinary project and one that I let out with complete fulfillment. Being able to do so with Carole and Jamie was an incredible privilege. Carole is one of the greatest songwriters of all time and, whether we were trading stories, playing piano together over video conference, or working through lyrics, it was always a masterclass – both in life and music. Jamie and I have collaborated together in the past and it’s always so wonderful to create with him – he is continuously thinking outside of the box in a way that deepens the musical experience in indescribable ways. Our goal was to show that music was always the anchor for Ms. Franklin, in all that she did, and I hope this song illustrates the strength of her voice – both literally and figuratively – which always brought her home.”
Directed by Liesl Tommy, the movie arrives in US theaters on August 11 and promises to deliver a raw and unvarnished take on the life of Franklin, who died three years ago.
Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, and Mary J. Blige star alongside Hudson in the MGM film.