Sam Smith returns with a new single and a shift in tone. Released on July 24, "To Be Free" opens a deeply personal chapter for the Grammy and Oscar-winning artist. The track is quiet and sparse — just one vocal and one guitar, recorded live in a single take — but it’s the choir that gives it its emotional weight, rising in the final moments to carry the song somewhere fuller and more resonant.
Many of those voices come straight from Philadelphia.
A chorus of Philly-based vocalists recorded background arrangements for Sam’s forthcoming album — long studio days, multiple sessions, and the kind of creative trust that builds over time. The result is a sound that feels human, layered, and emotionally grounded. These same singers also appear in the video for "To Be Free," standing behind Sam in a still, cinematic space.
"To be in a room with your peers, all getting the same pay, the same acknowledgment, the same credit… it was truly a moment to celebrate. A chance to learn and to be present." — Tyree Miller
The video, shot in cool blue tones and slow motion, adds to the song’s emotional depth. The Philadelphia singers appear not just as background, but as part of the visual story — holding space in a piece that treats freedom as something both longed for and just out of reach.
And what makes this moment even more powerful is who’s singing it.
Many of the singers involved are respected figures in Philly’s music scene. Vocalists like Jakeya Limitless, Tyree Miller, Julian King, Brandon Pain, Seraiah Nicole, Mare, Zeek Burse, John Graves III, Kyng Musik, Dominic Patrick, Maya Belardo, Elle.Morris, Jami Holland, KJ McNeill, and Megan Nicolle are part of the TwoCityChorus — a collective of powerhouse vocalists from Philadelphia and New York City. Curated by Brandon Pain with the support of Ant Clemons, the chorus came together to record background vocals for Sam Smith’s forthcoming project.
Several additional Philly artists — including Roy DyShon Warren, Shalisha Anderson, Safa Munira, Troi Lauren, and
Carmen Laren also lent their voices to “To Be Free.”
To Be Free is more than a song — it’s a moment for Sam Smith, for the TwoCityChorus, and for Philadelphia. It’s a reminder that some of the most powerful music in the world is being built by artists you might pass on South Street, hear at a neighborhood block party, or see performing at any one of the city’s music venues.
As Sam prepares for their To Be Free: New York City residency this October — a 12-show run of intimate performances in Brooklyn — it’s clear this new era is less about spectacle and more about soul.
And Philly is already in the room.
Watch Sam’s new music video here: