Description

The United States vs. Billie Holiday, in which Andra Day makes her feature-acting debut as Holiday, sheds light on the innovative vocalists embattled years as a target of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics the unit sought to imprison Holiday on drug charges, a retaliatory action given her dedication to singing highly politicized songs like Strange Fruit and her efforts to integrate her audiences. Andra stars alongside Moonlight lead Trevante Rhodes in the biopic, which was directed by Lee Daniels (Precious, Empire) and written by Pulitzer winner Suzan-Lori Parks.

The United States vs. Billie Holiday soundtrack brims with soul-stirring re-recordings of Lady Days classics. Lady Sings the Blues and Strange Fruit tell the tale of the jazz pioneers life in song. These faithful covers elicit immediate goosebumps through Andras impassioned vocals, evoking Holidays eternal singing style. Meanwhile, new songs like Tigress & Tweed a stormy, piano-driven standout co-written with R&B/neo-soul trailblazer Raphael Saadiq find Andra building on and bringing a modern touch to Holidays emotive songwriting.