Just in time for Valentine’s Day, GRAMMY award-winning bassist/producer Ben Williams and Broadway’s Nala Syndee Winters have returned with “Lifetime,” the latest single from Butterfly Black, a fresh new R&B duo that delivers bubbly, boogie-centric, and upscale R&B. Bursting with infectious energy for our post-pandemic times, and drawing upon the legacy of iconic male-female soul duos like Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Ike & Tina Turner, and Ashford & Simpson, the contemporary lyrics of “Lifetime” touch on the topic of love in all its forms – love of others, love of self, and even the importance of self-care through therapy. The single was released today alongside a gorgeous black-and-white music video directed by Lauren Desberg. Watch here.
"During the pandemic, I wanted to create music that reunited people,” comments Winters. “To get them to dance, love, and take care of one another again. I want our music to help with that. ‘Lifetime’ is a love anthem for today's time.”
“This song represents love in its truest sense,” Williams adds. “Not just romanticism, but love of one’s self and accountability. I believe this would be the type of music that Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell would make in 2023.”
For many artists, the last few years of the pandemic have been transformative. Some have had to reinvent themselves to continue creating and engaging with their audiences in new virtual and/or social-distancing environments. Others had to reassess what was important to them in terms of creativity and the practicalities of sustaining a livelihood. Whatever the situation may be, it’s no surprise that as the world emerges from the pandemic, many artists will also re-emerge with new personas. Such was the case for Williams and Winters, who joined forces to create a fresh and electric new duo that honors a time that made you dance, love, and want to live your best life.
“I don’t see a lot of those duos existing nowadays,” Williams comments. “Having a true duo group, I think will be something special to present to people now.” The release of “Lifetime” follows Butterfly Black’s infectious debut “I Just Want To Love You,” a summery mid-tempo jam that recalls Leon Sylvers’ legendary production and songwriting work at SOLAR Records in the early-’80s.
Butterfly Black’s strength lies not only in the couple’s intoxicating musical chemistry that is evident both in the studio and onstage; it comes from their divergent individual artistic pasts. Williams is among the upper echelon of his contemporaries in the jazz scene. After winning the 2009 Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition, he has released a handful of critical-acclaimed solo albums and recorded and/or performed with numerous heavyweights such as Pat Metheny, David Sanborn, George Benson, Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington, Jose James, among others. Winters is a commanding Broadway stage singer, dancer and actor, who has performed in such defining productions as Hamilton, The Lion King, Pippin, Motown The Musical, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Before working on Broadway, she was a dancer for the New York Knicks basketball team and a hip-hop and soul singer, who worked with Grandmaster Flash on his 2009 album, ‘The Bridge.’
Butterfly Black is currently at work on their debut 5-song EP, due out later this year, and gearing up for a series of performances both individually and as Butterfly Black. Next on the calendar is Winters’ solo performance at 54 Below in NYC on March 8th (tickets here). Keep an eye on Butterfly Black’s Instagram for continued updates!
