Jamila Woods – Holy (Reprise) [Video]

Chicago-based soul singer, poet and activist Jamila Woods will partner with Jagjaguwar and her original label home, Chicago’s respected hip-hop incubator Closed Sessions for the proper release of her beloved 2016 album HEAVN. And to celebrate she’s released a video for “Holy.” “Holy” – as well an unreleased alternative version produced by Dee Lilly – is available today via streaming services for the first time. A declaration of self-love and self-preservation, “Holy” puts on full display what Pitchfork called “a singular mix of clear-eyed optimism and Black girl magic.” “I wrote ‘Holy’ to remind myself that my worth is not dependent on anyone or anything outside of me.  For the video I wanted to represent self-care as a sacred act, to make ordinary daily rituals in bedrooms and bathtubs feel magical,” says Woods. With additional album standout, “Blk Girl Soldier” – also streaming across all services today – Woods’ dynamic and absolutely necessary-for-these-times message and voice can reach even more hearts and minds.

The video for “Holy” was directed by Sam Bailey, a close collaborator of Woods. The captivating video dwells in surrealism as much as it does gospel. Additionally Woods has announced select summer dates that include a handful of acoustic shows opening for Corinne Bailey Rae, Panorama and Pitchfork Festivals, as well as over week of heading dates on the east coast, midwest and Canada (full dates below).

Not only a singer/songwriter and outspoken activist on Chicago’s south side, Woods is also a poet and associate artistic director of Young Chicago Authors; a non profit organization started in 2001 with the intent to give Chicago youth a platform to share their stories across the city and home of Chicago’s longest running youth open mic in the city. Her debut, HEAVN, features some of her finest Chicago contemporaries – Chance the Rapper, Noname, Saba, Peter Cottontale, Kweku Collins and oddCouple.