Homegirl Rewinds: My Interview With Goapele

Hey, Besties

I was feeling a bit reflective the other day looking at old pictures and even emails. As many of you all know I have been a journalist for a little over 10 years now. I started off working for a magazine company as a writer, and later became the Content Manager. As Content Manager my duty was to oversee all social media content and blog posts, as well as schedule and sometimes conduct celebrity interviews. I wore many hats and this position helped build my confidence and professionalism, and garner a working relationship with professionals in the entertainment industry. While the magazine company eventually ceased operations, for reasons unknown, I was able to compile a few interviews I conducted - I literally search through yearsssss of emails to find these.

The first one, of many, I am sharing with you all will be my 2014 interview/article with R&B singer Goapele for RnB Magazine (one of the magazines I worked for). Goapele was one of the most welcoming people I have interviewed. Her energy was inviting and warm. We spoke about her album "Strong As Glass," her philanthropy work, musical background, and more. Keep in mind, I was a baby journalist so you might see a few mistakes (typos, grammatical errors, etc), but I wanted to be transparent with you, which is why I did not edit and correct these mistakes.

Goapele:

When RnB & Neo-Soul Collide

She blew us away with her angelic voice to the poetically captivating song “Closer” and took our breath away with “Play.” Now neo-soulstress, Goapele, is back with her fourth studio album titled “Strong As Glass” which is filled with beautifully, lyrically written new music that will have you on your feet groovin’ and your soul movin’. Her first single “Hey Boy” is definitely one to have you turned all the way up and features the one and only Snoop Dogg. The South African/Israeli beauty has been pretty quiet these past few years, but is making the perfect comeback with her latest single, album, and did I forget to mention, tour.  The singer/songwriter definitely deserves the spotlight and RnB magazine is happy to be her flashlight.

Her name in Setswana means to move forward and according to the soulstress it is a motivation for her to be a better individual. “It motivates me. It was my grandmother’s maiden name. I think of the challenges that her generation went through in South Africa. I feel like I have an obligation to be the best singer and artist I can be and leave a positive impact on people affected by my music.” Goapele’s hunger to help people is rooted from her family’s activism with worldly issues. It is not surprising that when she entered Berkeley Arts high school her desires would propel her to lead a teen support group. “Both of my parents were community minded people and they both believed in music and arts so they wanted us involved in things that supported that. I was in a samba group there. That was my parents doing that. I naturally got in this organization. I wanted to get involved with something that was empowering girls and women to talk about emotional and physical health which turned into the organization called “Think Presence.” Her yearning to enrich the minds of her peers on such issues on top of her involvement in many organizations that geared towards creating world peace has molded Goapele into the incredible artist and activist she is today.

Don’t get it twisted. Her positive impact on the community hasn’t gone unnoticed. On September 26, 2006 the singer was honored by the Ella-Baker Center for Human Rights with the Human Rights Cultural Hero Award. The singer was more than honored to receive the award for her countless involvement at rallies and political events. “One of the people (Jay Imani) presenting the reward was in the youth group with me when we were teenagers. I loved he stayed on that path of social activism. It was flattering they chose to acknowledge me in my home town.”

When the soulstress isn’t participating in rallies and demonstrations, she is doing what she does best, which is making hit music. The slight hiatus has prepared Goapele to make her debut comeback. “Strong As Glass,” her fourth studio album features hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg and neo-soul singer Eric Benet. “Strong As Glass is a title track on the album which is a song that speaks about being a woman and feeling independent and strong at some moments and feeling fragile the other. You never know what it will take to make you or break you. I really felt the song and felt it was a good overarching song for the album.” The singer already released her first single off the album “Hey Boy” which was produced by Keith Harris. You may wonder how a neo-soul RnB singer teams up with an O.G like Snoop. The opportunity created itself and the collaboration fell in her lap. “I had been a fan since high school. I didn’t know I would get to collab with him. I got invited to do GBN, a show he hosts, and he talked about working together and “Hey Boy” seemed the right time to get him on. He is natural.” The two definitely showed out with this song because it surely makes you want to “turn up.”

Her soft angelic voice can serenade you with her passionate love songs while simultaneously combating political issues. With the plentiful problems our world faces today, many do not get enough media attention as it should. The singer feels that many of today’s issues should receive much more attention and more action. “The economic divide which turns into a racism issue. What gets media attention that needs support in changing the system is police brutality and how our African American youth lives aren’t being valued and cops are getting away with murder. It’s scary and inspiring how people are stepping up in Ferguson and Oakland and not letting their friends die without someone being accountable.  As far as for women, just our health is one of the biggest issues. Being aware of breast cancer and people getting tested for hiv and talking amongst each other. We can prevent a lot of things if we catch them early.” The songstress is definitely a role-model for our youth and our community. Her passion to help is surely a step forward in changing the world.

As busy as her schedule is, the singer always finds time to herself. Everyone needs a moment to themselves whether they are a superstar or a teacher. What makes Goapele so real is that even though she is famous, she likes to do regular things. The singer admits on her spare time she likes to “Chill wit family, go to restaurants, get outside and enjoy sunshine, go to the beach, have bbqs, get inspired by what other artist are doing, shopping, or get my nails done.”  She also loves traveling and has traveled all over the world. When asked if there was one place she would pack her bags and move to, she replied “I don’t know. I think about a lot of places I’ve never been. Japan, Thailand, Europe. London, Amsterdam. Haven’t been to South Africa enough. I want to perform my music and meet people.” Someone as authentic as Goapele has worked with some amazing artists. Eric Benet, Snoop Dogg, Dwele, Most Def, just to name a few, have witnessed the magic that is conjured in the studio with the beauty. The artist also told RnB Magazine that she would love to get in the studio with Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus, D’Angelo, and Hit Boy. As captivating of a lyricist and entertainer she is, she is bound to cross paths with other brilliant artists.

We live in a very competitive world and nothing is more competitive than the entertainment industry. It is very hard to keep your image up with the very scrutinizing world we live in. As competitive as the industry is it is very important for an artist to not only work hard but believe in themselves. When asked where she sees herself this time, next year the artist responded, “I see myself continuously performing in more parts of the world. My tour starts next month. Hoping next year to get out the country more and blend.  Maybe a partnership in fashion, body care line. I got my feet wet with acting so I want to spend more energy there. I worked in the movie Sparkle and The Door.”

Having been around for over 10 years in the music industry, the singer/songwriter has witnessed it all. She has seen the ups and sometimes downs and is always available to offer advice to the next artist trying to pave their way in the industry.  “I would say start building a fan base. Find a good team to work with that can help represent you. Start performing live and be patient as you find your place in the industry.” Patience is key to success and the artist has showed great persistence and fortitude. No matter how long she is absent from the RnB community she is always able to come back and is welcomed with open arms.

RnB Magazine would like to thank Goapele for the amazing interview and allowing us to get in her world of music and philanthropy.

If you would like to connect with the beautiful Goapele, check out her website, twitter, and facebook.

http://goapele.com/

https://twitter.com/Goapele

https://www.facebook.com/goapele