Halle Bailey has officially embarked on her solo career. On August 4th, the singer released her first solo single, “Angel,” separate from her R&B sister duo Chloe x Halle and her role in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Co-written by Halle, Sebastian Kole, and Ron “Neff-U” Feemster, the piano and harp-driven ballad shares her experiences growing up as a Black girl in the spotlight. Halle rose to fame alongside her sister Chloe when Beyoncé discovered their cover of “Pretty Hurts” in 2013. Since then, the duo has released two albums together and appeared in projects like Grown-ish, Swarm, and of course, The Little Mermaid.
Halle first teased her solo song on December 31, 2022, through her Instagram Stories. She posted a snippet from the studio, where she sang along to the dreamy instrumental. A few months later, on July 31, Halle shared a montage of childhood home videos on Instagram and announced the official release date of the song in an Instagram Reel.
In “Angel,” Halle reflects on the pressures and emotions that come with being in the spotlight. The song possibly references her role as Ariel in The Little Mermaid and the criticism she faced as the first Black live-action Disney princess. Halle explained that taking on the role felt surreal and initially overwhelming, but she is grateful for the opportunity to reinvent the iconic character and inspire other Black and Brown children.
The pre-chorus of the song emphasizes that even in the toughest moments, there is hope and positivity. The chorus celebrates Black women, with Halle referring to herself as a “Black girl with Black girl hair” and an angel. Halle sees the song as an empowering anthem for Black girls and anyone who has felt overwhelmed or in need of a pick-me-up.
In the second verse, Halle expresses her frustrations of holding in her feelings and highlights her worth and resilience in the face of adversity. The bridge reinforces the message of the song, emphasizing that flaws do not detract from beauty and that scars are a part of one’s unique masterpiece.
“Angel” is a powerful debut solo single for Halle, showcasing her talent and delivering a message of self-love and empowerment. As she embarks on her solo career, it’s clear that Halle is ready to make her mark in the music industry.