Crystal Wise
Fort Worthians who managed to wake up at dawn for the Jan. 23 Oscar nominations might have heard a familiar name. In the category of Best Original Song, Rachel Sennott announced “Like a Bird” from the movie “Sing Sing,” with music and lyrics by Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada of Austin’s Black Pumas. It was the kind of moment that felt both surreal and inevitable for those who’ve followed Alexander’s meteoric rise — from backing vocals on Leon Bridges’Coming Home to becoming one of the city’s most revered musicians. This month’s featured photo, captured by Crystal Wise in April 2023, shows him just before the release of his debut solo album, SEA/SONS, when he graced the cover of this magazine. Now, less than a year later, his name was in the company of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Though “Like a Bird” didn’t take home the trophy, the nomination alone was a career-defining moment. Alexander’s music has always lived in the spaces between struggle and hope, weaving personal history into melody with an aching, unshakable voice. And with “Like a Bird,” he took that storytelling to new heights. The song, a stirring meditation on freedom and resilience, carries the weight of his own past — his family’s move from Greece to Texas, the loss of his mother, and the power of music to heal. When the Academy announced his nomination, it wasn’t just a win for Alexander; it was proof that the best stories aren’t just told on film — they’re sung in voices that refuse to be forgotten.
The Oscars may be over, but Alexander’s moment isn’t. Fort Worth has known for years that he isn’t just a musician — he’s a storyteller, a voice that lingers long after the last chord fades. Whether playing in a dimly lit club or standing under the bright lights of Hollywood, his music remains the same: honest, heartfelt, and deeply human. “Like a Bird” was never just about an award — it was about flight, possibility, and how far an artist can go when they stay true to their roots. And if this moment is any indication, Abraham Alexander is just getting started.
(Prints of this image are available for purchase right here on the Fort Worth Magazine website.)
