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Goapele

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Goapele
Goapele, Beverly Hills, California on June 25, 2015
Goapele, Beverly Hills, California on June 25, 2015
Background information
Birth nameGoapele Mohlabane[1]
Born(1977-07-11)July 11, 1977(age 47)
OriginOakland, California,U.S.
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1999–present
LabelsSkyblaze (2001–2009, 2011, 2017-present)
Hieroglyphics Imperium(2001)
Columbia(2002–2006)
Decon(2009–2011)
Jordan House/Primary Wave Music(2014–present)
WebsiteGoapele.com

Goapele Mohlabane[1][2](/ˈɡwɑːpəleɪ/GWAH-pə-lay;born July 11, 1977) is an AmericansoulandR&Bsinger-songwriter. Her name meansto move forwardinSetswana,a Southern African language.[3]

Early life

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Goapele's South African father Douglas Mohlabane was an exiled political activist who struggled against theApartheid System.[4]Goapele's New York-born Israeli Jewish mother Noa[5]had been attending protests since the age of 12. Noa attendedFriends World Collegeand was studying inNairobi, Kenya,where she met and married Douglas.[6]Goapele and her older brother DJ Namane Mohlabane[7]were raised in aSouth African exilecommunity in California.[8]

Both of her parents inspired Goapele to become very involved in community affairs at a young age. She attended theBerkeleyArts Magnet School, where she led a pre-teen peer-support group. She also became involved in various groups and organizations that combated racism and sexism.[9]

Goapele and Theo Rodrigues[10]have a daughter together, Bahia Osun (born May 2007).[11][12][13][14][15]

Career

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Even Closer

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Goapele returned toOaklandafter her time atBerklee College of Music,where she concentrated on writing and recording songs. In 2001, she self-released her debut album,Closer,which sold 5,000 copies.[16]At the same time, she was building a devoted audience through her popular live performances in the San Francisco Bay Area. "Closer" peaked at No. 63 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[17]

In 2002, she reworkedCloser,adding five new songs. With the help of her family, she formed her own independent label, Skyblaze Recordings, to oversee her musical career. She released her first nationally distributed album,Even Closer,featuring the single "Closer," throughHieroglyphics Imperium Recordings."Closer" was also featured on the soundtrack of the 2003 movieHoney.In 2004,Columbia/Sony Musicpicked up Skyblaze Recordings for worldwide distribution and rereleased the album with additional tracks. She co-wrote and co-produced the entire album, which is a mixture ofneo-soul,trip hop,lieder,andjazz.She also toured North America with the bandSpearhead.In 2004,Even Closerpeaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Charts for Top Independent Albums.[18]

Change It All

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Her second album,Change It All,featuring the single "First Love" and the song "Love Me Right," was released December 2005. The album featured production work from Jeff Bhasker, Mike Tiger, Amp Live, Sa-Ra Creative Partners, and Linda Perry.[19]In 2006 the album peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Album Charts and No. 2 on the Top Heatseekers while the single "First Love" reached No. 18 on the Hot Adult R&B Airplay.[18]Goapele appeared onSoul Trainto promote the album in May 2006, in what turned out to be the show's final new episode. She also appeared onThe Orlando Jones Show,Jimmy Kimmel Live!,Late Night with Conan O'Brien,ABC View from The BayandFOX Good Day Atlanta.Her first three releases have garnered praise from the likes of magazines such asRolling Stone,Nylon,Interview,Marie Claire,Billboard,Essence,andVibe.She has appeared on the covers of local Bay Area publicationsSan Francisco Magazine,Diablo Magazine,East Bay Express,SF Bay Guardian,Mugshot Magazine,andCity Flight,[20]She was named the number-5 artist to watch in the July 2003 issue ofRolling Stonemagazine, made the countdown on MTV’sTop 10 Artists to Watch,and collaborated with ALDO Shoes’ advertisement campaign in its fight against HIV/AIDS, which featured artists such as Avril Lavigne, Ludacris, Dave Navarro, Charlize Theron, Pink, Eve, Rosario Dawson, Eva Mendes, Bow Wow, Ziggy Marley, and Kelly Rowland.

Break of Dawn

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On July 10, 2009, Skyblaze Recordings leaked the single "Milk & Honey" (produced by Bedrock), the first single from her third studio album of the same title.[21]However, in August 2011, she announced that the album would be titledBreak of Dawn.The album is being recorded at the Zoo, home of Goapele's Oakland-based Skylight Studios and will feature production from Drumma Boy,[22]Bedrock, Kanye West, Dan Electric, Mike Tiger, Bobby Ozuna (Raphael Saadiq, John Mayer, Erykah Badu), Malay (John Legend, Mary J. Blige), Kerry "Krucial" Brothers ( Alicia Keys, Mario, Keshia Cole, Nas), Jeff Bhasker (The Game, Kanye West, Ludacris, T.I), and other guest musicians. After many delays, the album was finally released on October 25, 2011.[23]

Victory

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In celebration of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa Goapele released the single "Victory" featuring South African emcee Hip Hop Pantsula, a prelude to her upcoming musical projectVictory,which was released in Winter 2010[citation needed]and feature an array of artists from the African continent as well as throughout the Diaspora.[24]The leading track was recorded in English, Setswana, and Xhosa and tries to draw attention to the need for education and resources to combat Africa's most crucial dilemmas. The album will also encompass philanthropy, political and social activism. Proceeds from the project will go to ANSA (Artists for a New South Africa) a non-profit organization working to combat HIV/AIDS, assist children orphaned by the disease, advance human and civil right, educate and empower youth and build bonds between the U.S. and South Africa through Arts & Culture.[25]

In 2014, Goapele signed with singerEric Benét's record label Jordan House and is in the process of recording new material for her new label.[26]

Strong as Glass

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In 2014, Goapele releasedStrong as Glass,her fifth studio album. The lead single was "Hey, Boy" featuring Snoop Dogg and the video was released September 10, 2014, on YouTube.

Collaborations

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Apart from her solo work, she has collaborated with West CoastMCssuch asAceyalone,E-40,Zion-I,andMac Mall;those involved in theHieroglyphicsCrew; Detroit based vocalistDwele;andClyde CarsonandMos Defon the track "Different.”

Human rights work

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Goapele performed at rallies, demonstrations, and various political events around the world from Cuba to South Africa. On September 14, 2006, the California-basedElla Baker Center for Human Rightshonored her with its first ever Human Rights Cultural Hero Award[27]during the center's 10th-anniversary celebration, which was titled "Tribute to a Dream." The following statement was issued by the Center regarding the award:

We are proud to name internationally acclaimed, Oakland-based [singer-songwriter] Goapele the first recipient of this award. But as successful as she is, Goapele remains deeply rooted in her home community and in the struggle for human rights. We first saw her sing at rallies and demonstrations when both she and Ella Baker Center were just starting out. Today, she is still here with us, side by side, looking forward to a better day for all of our people.

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights is a non-profit strategy and action center. The stated aim of the center is to work for justice, opportunity, and peace in urban America.

Discography

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Studio albums
Singles
  • "Closer" (2002)
  • "Got It" (2003)
  • "First Love" (2005)
  • "Love Me Right" (2006)
  • "Soweto" (featuringHieroglyphics) (2008)
  • "Chocolate" (2008)
  • "Milk & Honey" (2009)
  • "Victory" (featuringHip Hop Pantsula) (2010)
  • "Undertow" (2013)
  • "Hey, Boy" (2014)[28]
Guest appearances

References

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  1. ^abSwan, Rachel (August 5, 2009)."Goapele Gets Closer to Home".East Bay Express.RetrievedOctober 11,2012.
  2. ^MacNeil, Jason."Goapele > Biography".allmusic.RetrievedJune 30,2010.
  3. ^"Goapele".Goapele. Archived fromthe originalon July 11, 2011.RetrievedAugust 3,2010.
  4. ^Nero, Mark Edward."About Goapele".About.com. Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2016.RetrievedMarch 5,2023.
  5. ^"NIGHTLIFE / Goapele".SFGATE.August 31, 2006.RetrievedFebruary 23,2023.
  6. ^Odum, Shanel (May 4, 2004)."Sip From Goapele's Goblet".Vibe.Archived fromthe originalon November 19, 2007.RetrievedFebruary 23,2023.
  7. ^Crooks, Peter (October 2009)."Old Soul/New Scene".Diablo Magazine.RetrievedOctober 11,2012.
  8. ^"Harvest Time Staff".Harvest Time.RetrievedOctober 11,2012.
  9. ^"Information Not Found".Billboard.com.RetrievedAugust 3,2010.
  10. ^Hildebrand, Lee (November 20, 2002)."Close to the source".San Francisco Bay Guardian.Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2016.RetrievedMarch 5,2023.
  11. ^"Goapele Mohlabane and Theo Rodrigues' Baby Registry".Amazon.Archived fromthe originalon March 31, 2017.RetrievedMarch 30,2017.
  12. ^Golden age: 100-year-old metal artist still creating beautiful piecesIn May 2007, Ries found a new source of inspiration, when his great-granddaughter Bahia was born to Goapele Mohlabane, Noa's daughter. Ries' most recent projects were a spoon for Bahia, as well as a mezuzah that was recently installed at Beth Chaim Congregation in Danville.
  13. ^[1][permanent dead link]
  14. ^"Goapele and Hugh Masekela at Stern Grove Sunday, August 5".Web.archive.org.RetrievedJuly 11,2024.
  15. ^"Madamenoire.com Interview « Goapele".Archive.ph.July 10, 2012.
  16. ^"Deep Reflections of The Acquarian".fmshai.blogspot.com.RetrievedJuly 7,2004.
  17. ^"ASCAP J.A.M. – Where the Future of Music Begins".Ascap.com.RetrievedAugust 3,2010.
  18. ^ab"Music News, Reviews, Articles, Information, News Online & Free Music".Billboard.com.RetrievedAugust 3,2010.
  19. ^"Change It All, Goapele, Music CD – Barnes & Noble".Music.barnesandnoble.com. December 2, 2005.RetrievedAugust 3,2010.
  20. ^[2][dead link]
  21. ^Harlem says (July 1, 2009)."Goapele Milk & Honey:New Goapele Album Song Music".Rnbmusicblog.com. Archived fromthe originalon September 8, 2009.RetrievedAugust 3,2010.
  22. ^"Goapele, Drumma Boy Collaborate on Song | Good Day Xtra".www.myfoxatlanta.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 15, 2012.
  23. ^Kwateng, Danielle (July 27, 2010)."Goapele Talks About Her" Victory "and Upcoming Album".Madame Noire.RetrievedOctober 11,2012.
  24. ^"New Music: Goapele with Hip Hop Pantsula –" Victory "".About.com. July 21, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon November 19, 2012.RetrievedOctober 11,2012.
  25. ^Theatrix (July 20, 2010)."Goapele X Hip Hop Pantsula Present" Victory "".Goapele.com. Archived fromthe originalon August 7, 2011.RetrievedOctober 11,2012.
  26. ^"YKIGS Live: Eric Benet Talks Signing Calvin Richardson & Goapele, Finding Stars in the Subway, New Music".interview.youknowigotsoul.com.RetrievedJune 4,2014.
  27. ^Article Tools."Changing It All With Goapele | ymib.com – Daily Inspiration".ymib.com. Archived fromthe originalon February 2, 2010.RetrievedAugust 3,2010.
  28. ^"Urban/UAC Future Releases".All Access Music Group. Archived fromthe originalon July 30, 2014.
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