Taking the hip-hop musical to a whole new level, Walt Disney Records is set to release the soundtrack to the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie Let It Shine. Featuring 13 songs—soulful ballads, funky jams and epic hip hop battles—performed by the movie’s stars including Hollywood Records’ artist Coco Jones, Tyler James Williams and Brandon Mychal Smith, the album will be available for pre-order at iTunes beginning today and arrives in stores and online retailers beginning today. The Let It Shine album also includes videos, special offers and four instrumental tracks that fans can access from their computers and use to create their own rap battles.
Radio Disney has already sampled one track, “Don’t Run Away,” which is climbing the Top 30 charts based on listener requests. Radio Disney will premiere the full soundtrack on Saturday, June 9 and will have cast members in studio leading up to the Disney Channel premiere of the movie on Friday, June 15.
The tracks were written by top songwriters and producers in contemporary pop/R&B: Antonina Armato & Tim James, David Banner, Andy Dodd, In-Q, J-Doe, Toby Gad, Adam Hicks, Steven Jones, Jay L’Oreal, Justin Mobley, Tocarra Phillips, Lindy Robbins, Thomas Armato Sturges, Dapo Torimiro, Anya Vasilenko, Jon Vella, Lambert “Stereo” Waldrip and Adam Watts. A concept music video for “Guardian Angel” featuring Tyler James Williams and Coco Jones was directed by Chris Applebaum (Rihanna, Selena Gomez & the Scene, Mariah Carey) and will debut on Disney Channel on Friday, June 1.
In the movie, Cyrus DeBarge is the musical director at his father’s Atlanta, Georgia, church, and he’s been having some challenges convincing his preacher father that hip-hop is not the devil’s music. Cyrus’ struggles continue when, for a freestyle rap competition at the local teen club, he writes a song under the name “Truth,” which tells his childhood friend and longtime crush, recording artist Roxanne Andrews, how he really feels about her. When it’s all said and done, his best friend, Kris McDuffy, is mistakenly named the author of the rap song and winner of the contest. As Roxanne begins to fall for Kris, it’s up to the true poet Cyrus to overcome self-doubt, seize the opportunity to reveal both his talent and his feelings, and pursue his dreams. All the while, Cyrus must convince his preacher father that hip-hop music can convey a positive message despite the rap battle he is about to throw down with his nemesis, “Lord of Da Bling,” at the club.
