The String Queens release first original single on Juneteenth

The String Queens have released “Troubled Liberty,” their first original composition, on Juneteenth as the lead single from their upcoming album What We Carry. The trio says the song reflects freedom, truth and the cost of liberation while marking a new creative chapter for the ensemble.

Why it matters: - The String Queens are moving from interpretation to original composition with a release that expands their artistic footprint. - “Troubled Liberty” also positions the trio’s forthcoming album, What We Carry, as a broader statement about Black women’s legacy, identity and musical range. - Releasing the single on Juneteenth ties the music to themes of freedom, resilience and historical reflection.

What happened: - The String Queens released “Troubled Liberty” on Juneteenth as their first-ever original composition. - The single is now available on all digital streaming platforms. - The release serves as the lead single from the trio’s upcoming album, What We Carry, due in summer 2026. - The trio described the song as a reflection and celebration of freedom.

The details: - “Troubled Liberty” opens with a 13-second audio clip from Nikki Giovanni. - Giovanni compares The String Queens to Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, the women portrayed in Hidden Figures. - The introduction is meant to honor overlooked Black women whose work shaped American history. - The String Queens said, “We honor the dream of freedom while telling the truth about what it has cost, and what it still requires.” - The trio said What We Carry will blend classical music with blues, jazz, gospel, funk and contemporary works. - The album is intended to honor the legacy of Black women musicians while exploring sound, memory and identity. - The String Queens are violinists Kendall Isadore and Dawn Johnson, along with cellist Élise Sharp. - The trio has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center, Birdland Jazz Club, Blue Note Napa, NPR Tiny Desk Concerts, the 2021 Presidential Inauguration Concert, ESPN’s Wimbledon campaign, DC Jazz Festival, Capital Jazz Festival, Capital Jazz SuperCruise, BET Honors and the Geffen Playhouse.

Between the lines: - The release signals a shift in how The String Queens present themselves publicly: not only as performers, but as composers shaping their own canon. - The Nikki Giovanni clip adds a direct cultural frame, linking the trio’s work to Black history, women’s achievement and civic memory. - The album rollout suggests The String Queens are using original music to widen their message around representation and community, not just musical versatility.

What's next: - What We Carry is set to arrive in summer 2026. - The String Queens are expected to continue centering original composition, cultural storytelling and artistic exploration as the album campaign builds. - Additional music from the project may further define the trio’s new creative direction.

The bottom line: - “Troubled Liberty” is both a debut composition and a reset: The String Queens are stepping into authorship while linking their next era to Black history and freedom.