Shea Diamond releases inspirational anthem 'Presence Of A Legend'
New York based Shea Diamond has released new single, the anthemic soul-R&B track ‘Presence Of A Legend’.
The song is featured in the Luchina Fisher documentary Mama Gloria which tells the life story of Chicago’s Black transgender icon, Gloria Allen who pioneered a charm school for transgender youth in 2001. An uplifting, gospel infused soul-R&B track, Diamond’s remarkable vocals masterfully lays out the struggles that have and continue to beset transgender Black women, and how Allen has devoted her life to fight for the community: ‘most girls like me don’t live past 30’ Diamond sings.
“‘Presence of a Legend’ tells the story of all of our LGBTQ+ community leaders that have led the way for our individual freedoms that we deserve today; they taught us, fought with and for us,” Diamond says of the song. “We don’t get the chance to see legends like Mama Gloria being celebrated, as many trans women don’t have the privilege of living past 30. For so long the forced narrative has been survival, but trans women are finally challenging the narrative, demanding equality and the opportunity to thrive. Mama Gloria at 75 is our possibility model. Without the OGs of the movement the world wouldn’t know about me. We will celebrate our trancestors and uplift their legacy so the generations after us will know to stand in the presence of our legends!”
Diamond was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and was repressed and marginalised throughout her childhood for not accepting her gender role, leading her to run away at the age of 14 and she subsequently entered foster care. Upon her emancipation, she lacked the means to pay for gender confirmation surgery, committed armed robbery, and spent roughly a decade in prison. While incarcerated, she developed her powerful singing style and forthright approach to songwriting. After her release from prison in 2009, she relocated to New York and continued to work on her music. A clip of her performing an original song "I Am Her" impressed songwriter and producer Justin Tranter (Selena Gomez, Julia Michael, Jess Kent) which led to a deal with the Warner-distributed Asylum label. She has since released an EP, 2018 Seen It All and a number of singles, resulting in Sam Smith, Demi Lovato Pete Buttigieg and Joe Biden calling themselves fans.
Diamond creates soulful, emotive, challenging, heart wrenching, assertive and ultimately life affirming music which once heard becomes part of you forever.
‘Presence Of A Legend’ is out now via Facet House/ADA Worldwide. You can buy and stream here.
To keep up with all things Shea Diamond she can follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
