Carried by enough conviction to incite cultural change, Andra Day’s full-length debut Cheers to the Fall [Buskin Records / Warner Bros. Records] garnered a 2016 GRAMMY® Award nomination in the category of “Best R&B Album,” while its anthemic Platinum lead single “Rise Up” achieved a nod for “Best R&B Performance.” The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Ellen, Dancing with the Stars, The View, Jimmy Kimmel, White House National Christmas Tree Lighting, Hallmark’s Home for the Holiday’s, Audience TV, the CMA Country Christmas, and the America’s Got Talent—just to name a few.
Quietly recognized amongst some of music’s most legendary names, the singer paid tribute to Ray Charles at The Smithsonian and shared the stage for performances with everyone from Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang, Bonnie Raitt, and Stevie Wonder to Ellie Goulding, Alicia Keys, and John Legend. Her voice abounded throughout the halls of the historic 2016 Democratic National Convention as well as launch of Michelle Obama’s We Will Rise documentary in partnership with Meryl Streep and Freida Pinto on “International Day of the Girl” event at The White House. Along the way, she covered Essence Magazine and achieved the prestigious “Powerhouse Award” at the Billboard Women in Music event.
2017 kicked off with two show-stopping performances by the chanteuse at the 48th Annual NAACP Image Awards and a knockout Bee Gees tribute during the 59th Annual GRAMMYs®. Hyatt welcomed Andra as the voice of its “For A World Of Understanding” campaign, breathing new life into the Burt Bacharach and Hal David classic, “What The World Needs Now Is Love.” Moreover, she voiced Sweet Tea in the summer blockbuster Cars 3, covering Bruce Springsteen’s “Glory Days” during a standout sequence.
Closing out 2017, Andra released the moving anthem “Stand Up For Something” [feat. Common] from the Marshall Official Soundtrack Album and film. The original song was written by GRAMMY®, Emmy®, and Golden Globe® Award-winning and eight-time Academy® Award-nominated legend Diane Warren and Oscar®, GRAMMY®, and Emmy® Award-winning hip-hop icon and actor Common. It spotlights her show-stopping and stunning vocals over powerful production as well as thought-provoking rhymes from Common. Meanwhile, the movie marks her on-screen debut.
Now, she stands out as a source of inspiration for millions around the globe. A reminder to keep pushing forward in the face of adversity, “Rise Up” remains apropos for any generation.
Its immortal refrain defines her spirit: “I’ll rise like the day. I’ll rise up. I’ll rise unafraid. I’ll rise up. And I’ll do it a thousand times again. And I’ll rise up.”
She has only just begun to rise.