As the 97th Academy Awards approach, the Fort Worth community is rallying behind one of its own who received a nomination.
The Academy nominated Fort Worth musician Abraham Alexander for an Oscar for Best Original Song for “Like a Bird.” He co-wrote this song with Adrian Quesada for Greg Kwedar’s prison drama “Sing Sing.”
“This nomination isn’t just for me—it’s for Fort Worth, for everyone who believed in me,” Alexander said at a recent farewell party in downtown Fort Worth’s “The Spotlight.”
On Feb. 20, the city had a special Oscar send-off party that included live music, autograph signings and a formal announcement from Mayor Mattie Parker.
Hosted by Sundance Square owners Ed and Sasha Bass, the event originally scheduled to be outside at the Sundance Square Plaza was moved to an indoor venue on Houston Street due to freezing temperatures. The event was open to the public and offered guests an opportunity for a meet and greet with the artist. Guests were presented with catered food and drinks throughout the evening and vinyl’s, magazines and posters were made available by Alexander and his team for guests to take home.
The artist’s Oscar nomination was celebrated with a performance from a full Cuban salsa band featuring Grammy award winning bassist Carlitos Del Puerto and a display of fireworks.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker also made an appearance and presented Alexander with a proclamation designating him as the city’s official ambassador at the next Academy Awards and recognizing his success as an artist.
“Abraham represents the very best of Fort Worth—talent, perseverance and heart,” Parker said during the emotional ceremony. “He’s only the second person I’ve honored with such a proclamation, following Leon Bridges last year.”
Alexander expressed his gratitude to all in attendance in a speech following the proclamation from the mayor thanking the community for celebrating his Oscar nomination with him.
As amazing as Alexander’s music is, so is his Oscar journey. He was born in Greece to Nigerian parents and then moved to Texas when he was 11. A Fort Worth foster family adopted him as a teenager after he lost his mother in a car accident.
A soccer injury at Texas Wesleyan University put a stop to his sporting career.
His musical career came as a surprise. Alexander learned how to play the guitar on his own during his recovery. He found a natural gift that would later take him to the international scene.
“Sometimes life’s detours become your true path,” Alexander said in an interview on NBC DFW. “That injury changed everything for me.”
With Dualtone Records, Alexander’s debut album, “Sea/Sons,” was released in April 2023. It combines gospel, soul and folk themes. The album’s emotional depth and genuine storytelling won accolades from critics.
His Oscar-nominated song is in the closing credits of the movie “Sing Sing.” This follows a group of inmates who use prison theater to find meaning and atonement.
“Seeing the effort that he put into it and just the love and grind that he’s sweated come to fruition is huge,” David Ademolo, Alexander’s brother, said.
In interviews, Alexander said he appreciates the support from Fort Worth, always his home in his mind.
The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC on Mar. 2, 2025. If the weather permits, then there will be a large-screen broadcast in Sundance Square Plaza. This will be one of the viewing parties where Fort Worth residents and music lovers may watch the ceremony.
Alexander and Quesada will be up against artists such as Elton John, Clement Ducal, Brandi Carlile and Diane Warren in the Original Song category at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025.
