Honoring a Soulful Legend: A Tribute to Angie
When I sit down to write a movie, I often find myself reaching for music that shapes the world I’m creating. Music helps me tap into emotions, places, and memories, guiding the narrative in ways words alone never could. For my film Straw, there was one artist who stayed with me through every scene, every line, and every heartbeat of the story—Angie.
I’ve always loved her music. There’s a soulfulness to her voice, an honesty in her lyrics, and a depth in her delivery that speaks directly to the heart. But there was one song in particular, 20 Dollars, that I couldn’t shake while writing. It lived with me. It felt like home. It felt like the stories of so many of our upbringings, our struggles, and our survival. She wasn’t just singing—she was preaching. Testifying. Reminding us where we came from and how far we’ve traveled.
Recently, I told my team we needed to reach out to clear the rights for 20 Dollars because it had become such an integral part of the film’s spirit. I couldn’t imagine Straw without it. And yet, before I ever got the chance to tell her personally how deeply her work touched me, she was gone.
Just like that.
I don’t know what’s happening lately with so many incredible souls leaving this planet. But what I do know is that death is a door we all will walk through one day. And when that time comes, the only thing that truly matters is how we lived, who we loved, and how deeply we touched the lives of others. Angie did all of that and more.
When I think about artists like her—true artists—who are loved and adored by us, yet often overlooked by the larger industry, it reminds me why I do what I do. It makes me lean in harder, fight stronger, and stand taller in my mission to help us ALL RISE. Because voices like Angie’s deserve to be heard, celebrated, and remembered.
Thank you, Angie, for your gift. Thank you for reminding all the Black brothers that you love us. Thank you for your light, your lyrics, and your legacy.
No more rain in her clouds.
Rest easy, queen.
