In a stunning display of sensuality and artistry, R&B icons Usher and H.E.R. have released the much-anticipated music video for “Risk It All,” their collaborative track from the soundtrack of the acclaimed film adaptation of The Color Purple. The video’s release comes on the heels of the film’s record-breaking Christmas Day debut, adding to the buzz surrounding this new cinematic venture.
The music video showcases Usher and H.E.R. in an intimate, sultry setting, with Usher clad in skin-tight black boxer briefs, reaffirming his status as a longstanding sex symbol in the music industry. H.E.R. complements Usher’s energy, exuding her own brand of sensuality, clad in a low-cut black corset and shorts. The video captures the duo lip-syncing to their soulful verses amidst a group of background dancers performing modern dance choreography. The somber, piano-backed ballad echoes themes of love, survival, and determination, with lyrics like, “Sometimes it’s tragic, so problematic / People are cryin’ for it, people are dyin’ for it / Always the reason, we still believe it / Somethin’ that leaves us hurtin’ is worth it.”
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“Risk It All,” co-written and produced by H.E.R., who also stars in The Color Purple, embodies the film’s powerful narratives. The song is featured on the album The Color Purple (Music From and Inspired By), which boasts an impressive lineup, including Fantasia, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Missy Elliott, Keyshia Cole, Ciara, and many more.
The Color Purple, which premiered in theaters on December 25, 2023, has made a significant splash at the box office. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film adaptation, based on the 2005 Tony-winning Broadway musical, the 1985 Steven Spielberg film, and Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, garnered over $18 million in North America on its opening day. This impressive feat marks it as the largest Christmas Day opening since Sherlock Holmes in 2009 and the second-largest Christmas Day opening of all time.
The Dave Meyers-directed music video for “Risk It All” premiered on MTV and is set to air every hour on various MTV channels. Additionally, “Risk It All” will be featured on Usher’s upcoming ninth studio album, “Coming Home,” coinciding with his appearance on the Super Bowl Halftime stage on February 11.
In essence, “Risk It All” is not just a song but a testament to the artistic prowess of Usher and H.E.R., and their ability to capture the essence of The Color Purple in a musical form. As fans await Usher’s new album and his Super Bowl performance, the release of “Risk It All” stands as a highlight in both artists’ careers, showcasing their versatility and deep connection to the themes of the acclaimed film and novel.
