Latrice Royale Gets Her Blues On Beautiful Cover Of “Here’s To Life”

The large-and-in-charge diva calls her new album, "the soundtrack to my life."
From: NewNowNext

 We know Latrice Royale as a powerhouse performer, wise woman and hilarious comic. But did you know sisterfriend can sing?

She’s just dropped her new video, a cover of “Here’s to Life,” a beautiful number best associated with jazz legend Shirley Horn. (Though after this, we may have to rethink that.)

Though the song recounts struggle, Royale says it’s celebratory at its core. “I want to share some of the lessons I’ve learned in a heartfelt, optimistic way.”

Latrice celebrates a century of jazz with her new debut album, also called Here’s to Life, that’s an extension of her one-woman show by the same name.

On it, she shares stories of growing up gay in the gang-infested streets of Compton, reflects on her time behind bars, and celebrates her transformation into one of the country’s top drag divas. “It’s really the soundtrack to my life,” says the Season 4 queen. “The good, the bad, and the emotionally-wrecked ugly.”

Other tracks include Porgy & Bess’ “Summertime,” Chicago’s “When You’re Good to Mama” and “I am What I am” from La Cage.

And while Royale counts Horn, Ella Fitzgerald, Della Reese and Shirley Bassey as influences, she insists she isn’t trying to sound like her idols. “I’m not trying to sing like a woman,” says the deep baritone. “My goal is to be authentic to myself, my voice, and my experience.”

Latrice Royale’s Here’s To Life is available now on Amazon.