By Any Means: The Album Set for September 25th Release
Musically directed by GRAMMY® Award winning songwriter Pynk Beard, the album brings together Brandy, Keb’ Mo’, Kashus Culpepper, Elsie, 2’Live Bre, Reyna Roberts, Tone Stith and more for new interpretations of songs that defined an era
Original title track “By Any Means,” written by 17- time Oscar® nominee Diane Warren and performed by Grammy® legends The Isley Brothers and platinum selling singer-songwriter David Kushner, out now.
“By Any Means” music video premiered September 4, 2026.
“We Shall Overcome” music video by Pynk Beard premieres September 25, 2026.
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Anzie Blue Records and Surf Club today announced the September 25 release of By Any Means: The Album, featuring music from and inspired by the feature film BY ANY MEANS now in theaters. The album will be distributed globally by The Orchard. BY ANY MEANS is distributed domestically by Paramount Pictures. Bonnie Greenberg served as the music supervisor and executive music producer for the film.
Ole Smoky Distillery is the marketing partner for By Any Means: The Album, with plans including an upcoming tour by Pynk Beard and select album artists. CEO Mike Novy says, “We’re proud to partner with these artists and the music community to bring such iconic American songs to life. Nothing brings people together like music, except for passing around a jar of Ole Smoky moonshine!”
The album is executive produced by Surf Club co-founder Hit-Boy, whose extensive production credits include Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Travis Scott and Drake, and Dr. Blum, whose credits include Twenty One Pilots, Big Sean and Nas. Parasol Music, co-founded by Martin Wave, served as a creative and production partner on the album.
Musically directed by Anzie Blue Records’ country artist and GRAMMY®-nominated songwriter Pynk Beard, By Any Means: The Album brings together artists across generations and genres to reinterpret songs connected to the sound and spirit of the 1960s. Brandy, Kashus Culpepper, Keb’ Mo’, Tone Stith, and others put their own stamp on songs from iconic artists — including three performers in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s premiere induction class: Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and James Brown.
Regarding new single “We Shall Overcome,” Pynk Beard says “There are very few songs that transcend time quite like this one. I’m honored to be a part of this project and particularly this song. The lyrics speak to the hope that I think we should all share for this world. Hate will not win. We WILL overcome.”
Three songs from the BY ANY MEANS film are featured on the album, including Elsie’s “I Love Your Lovin’ Ways” (popularized by Rock Hall inductee Nina Simone) and Parson James & ASHBY’s “Talking About My Baby” (popularized by Rock Hall inductees The Impressions and written by solo Rock Hall inductee Curtis Mayfield) in addition to the title track. “By Any Means” makes The Isley Brothers the latest of over 40 Rock Hall inductees to record a Diane Warren song.
Much of the album was recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama in less than a week — bringing the project to a place with deep roots in American soul music and to Pynk Beard’s home state. Artists include 2’Live Bre, Ariel J., ASHBY, Brandy, David Kushner, Denitia, Elsie, Kashus Culpepper, Keb’ Mo’, nanawho, Parson James, Pynk Beard, Reyna Roberts, Saekyi, Steve Ray Ladson, Tatiana Marie Clark, The BoykinZ, The Isley Brothers, and Tone Stith.
Net proceeds from the album will benefit the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), supporting the organization’s work to advance equity, expand opportunity, and create pathways for the next generation of artists, creatives, and music industry professionals.
The partnership with the Black Music Action Coalition extends the album’s impact beyond the music itself. Net proceeds from By Any Means: The Album, will support BMAC’s work to protect and advance the legacy of Black creators while investing in the artists, executives, and emerging leaders who will shape the future. The collaboration reflects the shared belief at the heart of the film and its music: that culture can be a powerful force for progress, and that honoring the legacy of those who came before us must include creating opportunity for those who come next.
The official “By Any Means” music video, featuring The Isley Brothers and Kushner, was released September 4. Watch here: https://youtu.be/pZaWebkmJDY Directed by Fran Strine of F26 Productions — who directed Dolly Parton’s Live at London O2 Arena film — the video will be followed on September 25 by Pynk Beard’s “We Shall Overcome,” also directed by Strine.
Diane Warren explains her inspiration for the title track, “By Any Means”:
“I wanted to write a song that captured the spirit of the film, which is about those who go beyond the rules to do what is necessary. My idea was to take an iconic artist who came from that era and pair them with an artist from this current era. Having The Isley Brothers come on board was a dream come true. They are as amazing today as they were when they were performing during the time of these events, and they are so authentic to this story.
“David Kushner is a great young singer who sounds like he could have come from that era too. He is a young guy with an old-soul voice. The combination of him and the Isleys is pure magic, and together they have created a song that could live in many eras to come. I’m proud to be a part of it.”
For Ronald Isley, the film’s story carries a personal connection:
“Having lived through the Civil Rights era, this story is personal. We saw firsthand the courage, sacrifice and struggle it took for change to come. Music has always had the power to speak to what people are going through, and Diane Warren has written a song that carries that kind of meaning. It was an honor for Ernie and me to be a part of it and to lend our voices to a film that remembers this history while reminding a new generation why it still matters.”
Ernie Isley adds, “I believe the film and the song will have a major impact. Ronald and I are happy to be involved with this project.”
David Kushner says:
“It’s an honor to be a part of the music that soundtracks a powerful film like By Any Means. I’m a huge fan of Mark Wahlberg, and being part of this song alongside Diane Warren, a songwriter I’ve looked up to since I fell in love with music and began writing songs, as well as The Isley Brothers, is beyond surreal and has been an incredible experience.”
BY ANY MEANS: THE ALBUM soundtrack
Songs listed alphabetically by artist. Final album sequence to be announced.
2’LIVE BRE and THE BOYKINZ — “Georgia On My Mind” (popularized by Ray Charles)
ARIEL J. — “Please Mr. Postman” (popularized by The Marvelettes)
BRANDY and PYNK BEARD — “Hit the Road Jack” (popularized by Ray Charles)
ELSIE — “I Love Your Lovin’ Ways” (popularized by Nina Simone)
ELSIE — “Stand By Me” (popularized by Ben E. King)
KASHUS CULPEPPER — “What a Difference a Day Makes” (popularized by Dinah Washington)
KEB‘ MO‘ and PYNK BEARD — “Bring It On Home to Me” (popularized by Sam Cooke)
PARSON JAMES and ASHBY — “Talking About My Baby” (popularized by The Impressions)
PYNK BEARD — “We Shall Overcome”
REYNA ROBERTS — “When a Man Loves a Woman” (popularized by Percy Sledge)
SAEKYI and NANAWHO — “These Arms of Mine” (popularized by Otis Redding)
STEVE RAY LADSON — “A Change Is Gonna Come” (popularized by Sam Cooke)
STELLA PRINCE feat. ALEX DEVIN — “Mrs. Robinson” (interlude; popularized by Simon & Garfunkel)
TATIANA MARIE CLARK and DENITIA — “Be My Baby” (popularized by The Ronettes)
THE ISLEY BROTHERS & DAVID KUSHNER — “By Any Means” (written by Diane Warren)
Album includes both film and soundtrack versions
TONE STITH — “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” (popularized by James Brown)
ABOUT BY ANY MEANS
BY ANY MEANS stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Mark Wahlberg and is directed by Elegance Bratton from a screenplay by Sascha Penn. Inspired by a true story and set in the 1960s, the film follows a young Black FBI agent (Abdul-Mateen II) sent to Mississippi to investigate a wave of brutal killings targeting civil rights leaders. Forced to work alongside notorious hitman Greg Scarpa (Wahlberg), he finds himself pulled into a deadly hunt where justice and vengeance begin to blur.
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