In high school Goapele performed in the Oakland Youth Chorus and became part of a music group called Vocal Motion. "As a singer, as a songwriter as a woman … I just try and keep pushing myself."īorn Goapele Mohlabane in Oakland, Calif., to a socially conscious and politically active family, Goapele attended the Berkeley Arts Magnet school where she became involved in organizations that combated racism and sexism. " Break Of Dawn is third album, and with every album I'm trying to evolve as a person," said Goapele. Part of the discussion was driven by questions submitted by fans using the #5QW hashtag on Twitter. Held at The Academy's headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif., Goapele discussed advice for aspiring artists, what keeps her motivated, the evolution of her music, and the influence of growing up in Oakland, Calif., among other topics. R&B artist and social activist Goapele was the recent guest for an installment of The Recording Academy's 5 Questions With … series. Starting out as a GRAMMY U member in 2006, Coleman is currently the Chapter Assistant for The Recording Academy Philadelphia Chapter.) (Ashley Coleman is a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia. "Giving Him Something He Can Feel" (from the original 1976 film Sparkle) To catch Goapele in a city near you, click here for tour dates. Giving her fans what they wanted, Goapele came back and ended with the beautiful Etta James classic "At Last." With a powerful voice that delivers meaningful lyrics, Goapele left the crowd wanting more.
As she moved through the song, Goapele echoed relatable sentiments of "getting closer to her dreams," something we can all relate to.Įxcited to see her full show for the first time, I was extremely satisfied. "Closer" was the song I had been waiting for all night. As his dirty blonde hair flowed along with his guitar solo, I almost forgot I was at an R&B show. Goapele also performed "Running," an original song featured on the Sparkle soundtrack.ĭuring the sensual, Caribbean-flavored track "Romantic," Goapele gave Mercereau more face time with the crowd. Goapele announced she makes a guest appearance in the remake of the film, which stars Jordin Sparks and the late Whitney Houston. "Children as little as 7 were fighting to be able to speak their own languages read their own books," she explained.Īlso a social activist, Goapele performed other socially charged songs, including Bob Marley's "Concrete Jungle." Next was a cover of "Giving Him Something He Can Feel," which was originally composed by Curtis Mayfield and performed by Aretha Franklin in the 1976 version of Sparkle. Goapele explained that having a father of South African decent connected her to the apartheid struggle. Moving back to center stage, Goapele gracefully performed Hugh Masekela's "Soweto Blues," a blues/jazz song that mourns those who lost their lives in the 1976 riots Soweto, South Africa. Exuding a sweet vulnerability in her delivery, I found myself lost in the song.Īs Goapele politely stepped to the side of the stage with a smile that said "something amazing is about to happen," guitarist Nate Mercereau stepped forward to perform a funk- and blues-infused solo. Once the band played the opening chords to "Tears On My Pillow," a slow ballad about a relationship that has slipped away, the crowd erupted with applause. Her voice was pure and delicate as she moved through "First Love" and then "Milk & Honey" from Break Of Dawn.
A mid-tempo track, Goapele shuffled around the stage while conjuring energy from the crowd.
Touring in support of her most recent release, 2011's Break Of Dawn, Goapele kicked off her set with "Love Me Right" from 2005's Change It All. But since Philly is a town with a rich history of soul and R&B, Goapele took the stage at World Cafe Live on Aug. Philadelphia has a tendency to adopt any artist that spends significant time in the area, so I was surprised to discover that Goapele was from Oakland, Calif.
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