Quick Facts
| Film | Shirley (2024) |
| Composer | Tamar-kali |
| Director | John Ridley |
| Studio / Platform | Netflix (limited theatrical release, then streaming) |
| Release Date | March 15, 2024 (theaters) / March 22, 2024 (Netflix) |
| Genres | Biography, Drama, History |
| Starring | Regina King, Lance Reddick, Terrence Howard, Lucas Hedges, Andre Holland |
| Status | Released — 70% Rotten Tomatoes critics score, 80% audience score |
Shirley is a biographical drama film written and directed by John Ridley, released by Netflix in March 2024. The film dramatizes the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress, who in 1972 also became the first Black candidate to run for a major party’s presidential nomination.
The film stars Regina King, Lance Reddick, Terrence Howard, Lucas Hedges, and Andre Holland. Shirley had a limited theatrical release on March 15, 2024, before streaming on Netflix starting March 22, 2024, and went on to a positive critical reception, with particular praise for Regina King’s performance.
Official Synopsis: This biographical film about Shirley Chisholm, America’s first Black congresswoman.
Release date: March 22, 2024 (Netflix, United States)
Genres: Biography, Drama, History
Who Composed the Shirley Soundtrack?
Tamar-kali: Tamar-kali (born Tamara Colletta Brown) composed the original score for Shirley. She is a singer, composer, and performing and recording artist whose film work also includes Mudbound, The Assistant, and Come Sunday.
Tamar-kali previously composed the score for a different, unrelated film also titled Shirley (2020), about novelist Shirley Jackson and starring Elisabeth Moss — not to be confused with this 2024 Shirley Chisholm biopic. According to Variety, her score for the 2024 film builds a suite of themes around Chisholm’s determination, ambition, and love of country.
Shirley Soundtrack List
- Why I’m Here — Samara Joy: This song, released for the Netflix film Shirley, appears on Samara Joy’s 2024 release “Why I’m Here.”
The lyrics of the song include
Bending but never broken
Knocked down, but I kept going
I’ve decided to stand my ground
I will not be moved
And I have no fear
I know why I’m here
The full score album, composed by Tamar-kali, is available from Milan Records, including cues such as “Willie Brown,” “Trailblazing,” and “Tell Them I Said Yes.”
Official Trailer: Here is the trailer for the film, which gives a glimpse of the film and its characters.
The film stars Regina King as Shirley Chisholm, Lance Reddick as Wesley McDonald “Mac” Holder, Terrence Howard as Arthur Hardwick Jr., Lucas Hedges as Robert Gottlieb, and Brian Stokes Mitchell as Stanley Townsend. Lance Reddick died in March 2023, before the film’s 2024 release; his performance as Mac Holder — a role Regina King has said she wrote with him specifically in mind — remains in the finished film and was not recast.
Some platforms can provide a comprehensive list if you want information about the songs in a soundtrack.
You can enjoy it on various platforms such as Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, so watch it if you’re a fan of the show’s music.
These platforms can also give details about the artists and composers working on each song.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the score for Shirley (2024)?
Tamar-kali composed the original score for Shirley, the Netflix biopic of Shirley Chisholm directed by John Ridley.
Did Tamar-kali also work on the 2020 film Shirley?
Yes, but it’s a different, unrelated movie. Tamar-kali also scored the 2020 film Shirley, a biographical drama about novelist Shirley Jackson starring Elisabeth Moss. The two films share only a title.
Is Lance Reddick in the 2024 film Shirley?
Yes. Lance Reddick plays Wesley McDonald “Mac” Holder. He died in March 2023, before the film’s 2024 release, but his performance remains in the finished film and was not recast.
Where can I stream Shirley?
Shirley is streaming on Netflix. The soundtrack, including Samara Joy’s “Why I’m Here” and Tamar-kali’s score, is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
How was Shirley received by critics?
Shirley holds a 70% critics score and an 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers particularly praising Regina King’s lead performance as Shirley Chisholm.
Related reading: Browse more movie soundtracks, catch up on what’s streaming on Netflix, or explore the full streaming hub for more soundtrack guides.