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"Keep It Movin'" was released on November 11, 2023 through Gamma Records as the first promotional single from the soundtrack album of the 2023 film The Color Purple. The song is performed by the film actresses Halle Bailey and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as the younger versions of Nettie and Celie.

The song received positive receptions, winning the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Original Song and was shortlisted for Best Original Song at the 96th Academy Awards.

Background and composition

After the announcing of The Color Purple, the second film adaptation of the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker after Steven Spielberg's 1985 film, Kris Bowers was named as the composer of the score.

American record production and songwriting duo Nova Wav, composed by Denisia Andrews and Brittany Coney were involved in the project by the director Blitz the Ambassador. The duo wrote and composed original song "Keep It Movin", with Morten Ristorp and Halle Bailey. The song is performed by Bailey with Phylicia Pearl Mpas. In an interview with TheWrapAndrews explained the writing and production sessions of the song:

had some sense of what her scenes were going to be and came in with some ideas. I’m happy that we didn’t see it beforehand, because I think it would have stifled our creativity. We would have been overthinking it. We went off emotions and what we thought it should feel like. Sonically it’s a little bit different in the instrumentation you use, for instance — we wouldn’t normally use harmonica in an everyday record. But it pushes up our creative boundaries.

— Denisia Andrews on "Keep It Movin'"

Reception

The song received two nominations at the 14th Hollywood Music in Media Awards for Best Original Song — Feature Film and Best Song — Onscreen Performance (Film). It even won at the Black Reel Awards of 2024 for Outstanding Original Song.

In December 2023, the song was shortlisted for Best Original Song at the 96th Academy Awards.

References

1. ^ Major, Michael (November 13, 2023). "Halle Bailey Co-Wrote a New Song For The Color Purple Movie Musical". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
2. Culwell-Block, Logan (November 15, 2023). "Upcoming The Color Purple Movie Musical Will Include Cut Song From the Stage Score". Playbill. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
3. Abraham, Mya (December 15, 2023). "'The Color Purple' Soundtrack, Omarion, And More Soul-Stirring R&B Of The Week". Vibe. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
4. Tangcay, Jazz (December 4, 2023). "'Origin' and 'The Color Purple' Composer Kris Bowers Shares Gratitude for Kobe Bryant Mentorship, Ava DuVernay Collaborations and Scoring Empowering Stories". Variety. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
5. ^ Clark, Jason (November 20, 2023). "'The Color Purple': How Nova Wav Kept the Broadway Beat". TheWrap. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
6. Davis, Clayton (November 11, 2023). "Warner Bros. Plans to Submit Two Original Songs From 'The Color Purple,' Plus One 'Wonka' Tune Sung by Timothée Chalamet". Varuety. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
7. Grein, Paul (November 2, 2023). "Songs From 'Barbie' Pace 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominations (Full List)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
8. Complex, Valerie (December 15, 2023). "Black Reel Awards Nominations: 'The Color Purple' And 'Rustin' Dominate". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
9. Bergeson, Samantha (21 December 2023). "2024 Oscar Shortlists Unveiled: 'Barbie,' 'Poor Things,' 'Maestro,' and 'The Zone of Interest' Make the Cut". IndieWire. Retrieved 21 December 2023.

• 2023 singles
• 2023 songs
• Warner Records singles
• Halle Bailey songs
• Missy Elliott songs
• Songs written by Halle Bailey
• Songs written by Stephen Bray
• Songs written by Morten Ristorp
• Songs from musicals
• Songs written for films