Alicia Keys has delivered the official music video for “Lifeline,” which appears on the soundtrack for the new reboot of The Color Purple.
Keys, who also co-produced the track, officially dropped the video on Thursday (December 21). Marshmello and renowned producer Tricky Stewart — who has worked with Beyoncé and Rihanna among many others — and also contributed to the track behind the boards.
The “Fallin’” singer is in rare form as she sings, “I can be your lifeline/ Stay with you ‘til the sunrise/ When you’re low/ It don’t mean you’re alone/ I’ll be by your side/ Oh, I can be the reason/ That you don’t feel your demons/ When you’re low/ It don’t mean you’re alone/ I’ll be by your side.”
The video, which you can check out below, was directed by Diane Martel, who is also responsible for the visuals for past Alicia Keys hits “If I Ain’t Got You” and “Like You’ll Never See Me Again.”
The Color Purple, which stars Ciara, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Fantasia and Taraji P. Henson is set, to hit theaters nationwide on Christmas Day (December 25).
Earlier this month, it was revealed that Beyoncé and Rihanna were initially eyed for lead roles in the remake of the 1985 film.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Oprah Winfrey, who starred in the original production directed by Stephen Spielberg, and led the charge in producing the musical remake, explained how discussions quickly shifted in the search for talent once the budget hit a certain mark — opening the door to secure an A-list talent.
“To be completely honest about it, if you were doing this film for 30 or $40 million, the interest in the cast would be very different,” the famed talk show host began. “Once the film moved to 90 to $100 million, then everybody wanted us to bring Beyoncé. ‘Can you get Beyoncé or can you get Rihanna?’ So we’re sitting in a room saying, ‘Listen, we love Beyoncé. We love Rihanna, but there are other actors who can do this job.’”
Freddie Gibbs – The Color Purple
She added: “I do remember conversations about, ‘Y’all, Beyoncé is going to be busy this year.’ It wasn’t even a negotiation, because you’re not getting Beyoncé.”
Despite their failed efforts to snag Bey or RiRi, the highly-anticipated holiday drop still enlisted an award-winning cast consisting of Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, H.E.R., and Halle Bailey. The film also features production work from Steven Spielberg, Alice Walker, and Quincy Jones, to name a few.
Previously speaking to Essence, Winfrey reflected on first being presented with a role in the Spielberg adaptation, nearly four decades ago citing it as “the best $35,000 I ever earned.”