When it comes to cultural cornerstones, Spike Lee has long stood at the intersection of music, film, fashion, and unapologetic storytelling. So when rising singer-songwriter Aiyana-Lee was tapped to create the title track for Lee’s newest film “Highest 2 Lowest,” she found herself living the type of moment most artists only dream of.

“It’s insane,” she told BET with a mix of disbelief and gratitude. “This is the kind of thing you’re almost afraid to say out loud because it feels too outlandish to actually happen.”

But it did happen, and she fearlessly rose to the occasion.

At just this stage in her career, working with Spike Lee wasn't a one-off placement or quick collaboration. It was a deeply creative exchange where she was trusted to help shape the musical soul of the film. From the very beginning, he made it clear that he wasn’t just looking for a good song—he wanted truth.

“He really wanted me to be honest. He told me to pull from my life, from the pain, from feeling held back, and just let it all out,” she said. “It became this triumphant moment. You hear the pain in the verses, but by the end, it’s a release—like I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

That level of emotional transparency is a signature for both artist and director. “Highest 2 Lowest” is a film layered in reflection and reckoning—a mirror for the industry and society at large. And the songstress's voice plays a pivotal role in carrying that message forward.

“Reading the script was mind-blowing,” she recalled. “It was such a fresh take. I had never seen Spike go there in that way. And imagining Denzel [Washington] in the lead—it felt like history in the making.”

He didn’t just assign her the job and walk away. According to Aiyana-Lee, he was hands-on every step of the way. “We were on the phone every single day for a week straight,” she said. “He’d call and say, ‘Try a little more of this, or can we include that?’ It was incredibly collaborative. I probably have a whole album of Spike Lee joints!”

One of the most touching parts of that process was the involvement of her mother, also her creative partner. “Me and my mom sat at the piano every day, writing. She got to be a part of it, too. It made the whole experience even more special.”

The film director and screenwriter’s dedication to not only the culture but also to nurturing talent—especially women and women of color—was not lost on Aiyana-Lee. When asked what Spike Lee film speaks most to her journey in life, she didn’t hesitate: “She’s Gotta Have It” and “Do the Right Thing.”

“‘She’s Gotta Have It’ is just so bold, especially for the time it came out. It was his first [feature] film, and even then, he was centering women of color and giving them a voice,” she explained. “It’s something he’s done his whole career.” While “Highest 2 Lowest” tackles a very different narrative — one rooted in family, power, and moral tension — that same signature Spike Lee intention shows up in the music: personal, layered, and uncompromising. Her title track goes beyond filling background space. It carries emotional weight and speaks directly to the film’s heart.

“I hope people hear the song and see themselves in it,” she said. “That they realize they’re not alone. That they don’t need permission to tell their story. You don’t have to wait until everything’s perfect. Start where you are—even if you’re broke. Just start.”

It’s that kind of soul-bearing sincerity that makes this moment more than just another career milestone. It’s a chapter in legacy. Aiyana-Lee has entered that space where artists refuse to just contribute—they are fighting to leave a mark.