Halle Bailey, known as Halle, has marked her solo debut with the release of her single “Angel,” under the wings of Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records.
Produced by TheRon “Neff-U” Feemster, the piano-driven ballad carries a message of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Halle’s ethereal voice sings of the power of angels to guide and uplift, creating an atmosphere of hope and strength.
The release of “Angel” comes three months after Halle’s breakthrough role as Ariel in Disney’s movie adaptation of The Little Mermaid. Her casting was met with a mix of excitement and criticism due to the portrayal of a fictional character as Black. Despite the negativity, Halle embraced her role, becoming a beacon of representation for young Black girls globally.
- More On This Topic: Yara Shahidi Responds to Backlash Against Black Actress Cast as Tinker Bell, Including Racist Comments
Discussing “Angel,” Halle reveals,
“This song for me is so very special and near and dear to my heart. With everything I’ve gone through the past 3-4 years, suddenly finding myself in this bubble of all these eyes and new opinions, it was easy for me to feel doubt in myself and who I was.”
She continues, “This song for me was my climb out of those feelings, a mantra and promise to myself that the work I’m doing here on earth matters and that I matter. I wanted to be able to embrace and be proud of myself and who I am naturally through and through. I hope other brown and Black girls and everyone in general feel embraced, respected, and inspired hearing the words of this song.”
To complement the release of the song, Halle has unveiled a captivating music video directed by Wendy Morgan (known for her work with Alicia Keys and Janelle Monae).
“Angel” marks Halle’s significant solo debut, separate from her work as one half of the duo Chloe x Halle. She previously contributed to The Little Mermaid soundtrack with her rendition of “Part of Your World,” which has garnered over 33 million streams on Spotify since its release on April 26.
In addition to her musical endeavors, Halle is set to star in the upcoming remake of The Color Purple, slated for release on Christmas Day, December 25th.
