Samara Joy has taken a detour from jazz with her new song “Why I’m Here,” featured as part of the upcoming Netflix film “Shirley” about the first Black congresswoman Shirley Chisholm.
Produced by and co-written with PJ Morton, “Why I’m Here” sees the 24-year-old singer straying from her jazz roots, playing as a sweeping, anthemic ode inspired by the politician. “An easy road was never promised / And so much has been from taken from us / But I won’t stop no matter how much I have to go through / I won’t shed one tear, I know why I’m here,” she sings on the chorus.
“Shirley,” which debuts on Netflix on March 22, stars Regina King as Chisholm, a trailblazer in the political space. Directed by Oscar winner John Ridley (“12 Years a Slave,” “Jimi: All Is By My Side”),…
