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Yahzarah: ... Some of the producers involved are Ski Beatz (Jay Z, Camp Lo, Fat Joe, 50 cent, Jean Gray, Lil Kim, www.skibeatz.com), Steve McKey & Tone Witfield (Kindred, Vivan Green, and Bilal Oliver), Nandi Willis (Donell Jones, Carlos Santana, Anthony Hamilton), 9th Wonder(Little Brother, Destiny's Child, Jay Z). I am looking forward to giving the music to my fans. If you want to hear some of the new music go to www.myspace.com/yahzarah. And look for the show in your city soon."
Matthew: You released 'Black Star' on Three Keys, where you took tracks from your album 'Hear Me' released on Keo Music, why did you do this?
Yahzarah: Well, originally, Three Keys wanted to do a whole new record, but I thought that might be a little short sighted. So much of the world still had not heard of YahZarah and it would have been a waste if the world never heard the songs from "Hear Me", which I still believe, contains some of my best work- except the new joints on the new EP of course! So we met somewhere in the middle of re-mastering some of the strongest songs from "Hear Me" and doing a few new tunes that would make the compromise worth it to the label.
Matthew: I haven't had the chance to listen to the full album 'Hear Me', but I've managed to catch a few songs from 'Black Star', what was it like making both albums, creatively, musically and literally?
Yahzarah: "Hear Me" was the love album. The label that I was on at the time had ideas about what type of CD they wanted but they allowed me to bring the best of myself to the CD without a lot of pushing to be anyone less than myself. Looking back on it, making music then was a more pure experience. On the other hand, the making of "Black Star" was a bit different in that I had to make a lot of concessions for the sake of getting the record heard…but that is the way the record biz works sometimes on the larger level.
Matthew: How was it making "Black Star"?
Yahzarah: It was a very corporate experience. However, I always insisted that I be allowed to sing and not pretend to have a talent show voice. It was important to me to make great music no matter what audience I was singing to. And we did that. Through "Black Star", I was able to pull two groups into my sound, those who love the sounds that the prior CD provided and those who might not have listened without a spoon full of sugar to help the medicine go down!
Matthew: What does it feel like to have your own music out, from your point where it was your biggest dream to be an artist?
Yahzarah: It is a blessing to be able to do what I love for a living. I know a lot of people who are not as fortunate. So, I am always giving thanks to God and showing the fans love for sticking with me as I grow musically and emotionally. As for my biggest dream as an artist, I would like to follow in the steps of artists like Chakah Kahn, Diana Ross, Barbara Streisand and Tina Turner--you know artists who have had successful entertainment careers, on a global level, in music and film. I want to still pack Radio City Music when I'm 50. Everyday, I am working to be a woman known not only for what I've sung but also for what I've said and done to give back to the world that's given so much to me. And lastly, I seek to make timeless music that stays dope even when I'm dead; tells stories that need to be heard; and of course to keep rocking mics from coast till the wheels falls off the bus!"
Matthew: Who were your musical influences? Did family ever play a role in your music career?
Yahzarah: I grew up listening to a wide range of music, from Classical to Jazz; country to Funk, and Gospel and R&B. So, my influences are broad and numerous. People who directly influenced me where Chakah, Stevie, Tina Turner, The Clark Sisters, P-Funk, The Beatles, Queen, James Brown, and Prince. I come from a very musical family. My mother was a session singer; My step-father a former DJ with a crazy global collection of music; My grandmother and an uncle were both concert pianist; My grandfather was a music teacher who played many instruments; and not to mention, D.C, my home town, is a music city. So, I was destined to grow up with not only a love for music but a discerning ear as well."
Matthew: When did you meet Erykah Badu? How did you two come together and decide that you would be backing vocalist for her shows?
Yahzarah: Getting the gig with Erykah was like a scene out of a movie! A friend of mine, Geno Young, was singing background with Erykah. He gave me an urgent call that she needed a soprano to go on a tour with her that would leave in a week. Of course, I was down to roll but the catch was she wanted somebody from Dallas. So, I pulled what money I could together and bought a one-way ticket to Dallas. I auditioned on a Monday and was on the road that Wednesday and kept singing for her for seven years after."
Matthew: How would you describe the sound of your music? What inspires you to do the music you do? When you make music and write words to your music what do you turn to for inspiration?
Yahzarah: I would describe my sound as "gumbo" in that it is a combination of many things that make and move me, of stories that are universal, experiences that "stick to your bones" and makes you feel good! What inspires me? Besides the fact that the acts of writing and singing are natural to me and just damn feels good, I think that knowing what power music has over the hearts and minds of people drives me. What I mean is that when I meet someone and they say that my music help them through something or my show made them feel good, it keeps me motivated in the moments when times are hard and my passion is not enough. When I sit down to write, many things influence me, such as great literature, songs written by others that I admire, things I experience, the weather, and current events that I feel strongly about like injustice, love, and bullshitting politicians. Sometimes, the songs start as phrases that are finished as freestyles in studio.
Matthew: How is your career company Three Keys? Is everything running smoothly with you and them?
Yahzarah: We split peacefully and I am no longer with them.
Matthew: You have a beautiful name, Yahzarah; does it have a special meaning behind it? Tell us about your roots, family, childhood? What is it like to be in your world?
Yahzarah: Thank you for the compliment. 'Yaa' is the name of my departed grandmother in Ghana meaning Queen Mother. I spelled it phonetically on my CD's and 'Zarah' is the Arabic flip of my living grandmother's name Sarah which means brightest star or blossom. At the time, I was very young and discovering things about myself that, in my own strength, I was too scared to say. I needed, if you will, a persona that would help me say the things that I did not have the power to say, at the time. So, I put the names of two of the strongest women I knew together to make one. The strength of both of them is what it took to make me, and I knew as long as I had the pressure of their names to stand next to I would always work to make them proud. 'Queen Mother is the brightest star' was born…YahZarah. Since then, I have moved on to my new incarnation…Ms. Purple St. James. There is little difference between Purple and I. Since, 'Hear Me' and 'Blackstar', I have become very comfortable in my skin and can easily, with my own strength, say what I need to. I am in a beautiful place. Purple is indeed confident and simply put, a bad bitch! Bad in the sense that she knows her worth as well as whose she is and where she is going. However, let me say that I have not abandoned YahZarah completely. I am YahZarah performing as Purple St. James--that is until folks get used to Purple. I believe in the art of reinvention; it keeps things fresh for you and me.
Matthew: What are your other hobbies? What do you do in the time you are away from music? Do you have any other creative outlets?
Yahzarah: I love to sew and design clothing. I make jewelry and love to sketch and dance, and I am working on learning woodworking. Anything that is the arts has always attracted me. Besides that I also lend my time and voice to causes that are important to me like HIV and Sickle Cell. It’s nice that you asked if I had any other interests out side of music, because it is so important that whatever you do doesn't become the thing that completely defines you.
Matthew: Have you ever done any modeling in the past because you are a very beautiful lady?
Yahzarah: I've done a little but I'm only five foot-one and I think that will kill my dream of Becoming, 'Americas Next Top Model'... (laughs). But I'm open to anything new exciting and lucrative…that's legal and doesn't involve pasties and dropping it like it's hot.
Matthew: Do you have any thoughts on the scene of commercial black music, such as mainstream hip-hop or R&B, because the music I hear makes me wonder if any have intelligence; it is always representing a very low level of inspiration?
Yahzarah: I believe that every story should be heard so I don't have much to say about the music of others. I believe that the stories of my people are broad and colorful, some to be proud of and so not to be proud of--but all to be told with balance. What I believe the problem is in not black music; it's the lack of balance in what stories are being allowed to be heard and which ones are not. If all you are allowed to hear is candy music, then all you want is a candy life filled with things, and no substance, pimping with no promise. I believe, however, that a revolution is coming and folks will want more soon and will demand it.
Matthew: I appreciate the honesty in your lyrics and the organic sound in your music, more than you can imagine. What is the method to make this type of music?
Yahzarah: There is no method. I'm just a bad liar. So, I better tell the truth or it comes out in the music.
Matthew: I'm a musician, poet, songwriter, and producer myself. Why do you think it is hard for people like us to live a financially stable life through creativity?
Yahzarah: I'll say this… in order to gain the type of notability that opens the door to financial stability in this business, you need mass media and distribution, and a megawatt team--three of the things that mostly go to candy music because it can be branded and used to advertise. So, it's important to not always have your complete focus on just being the artist because the mass media route can be rough if you want to have complete freedom. Secondly, some of the fault can be found in the insecurities of other artist. I have friends in the industry who have had nightmare experiences just trying to work with other artist. Sometimes the artists are scared that you may steal their spot or shine too bright, and will not want you on a bill, or will work to try to keep fellow artists from getting heard. While I am not suggesting that "their ice is colder", it's interesting that white artist don't seem to be as afraid of endorsing, touring with new talented artists, or putting one another on, and I believe that is why you've seen them be able to continue to work and thrive together. I believe that if "we" can get pass this issue and pull our energies together, black music of all kinds will thrive and we all can eat."
Matthew: Do you remain in touch with Erykah Badu? Do you have a husband/family of your own? What is your current situation?
Yahzarah: I don't stay in touch with Ms. Badu much but I have been enjoying the direction she's going in and wish her much love in life. And about my current situation. I lovingly and respectfully say that I do not discuss my personal life. Ya'll get enough of my biz in my music... (laughs)
Matthew: Do you have any UK tour dates? Visits, or holidays?
Yahzarah: I am working on putting together a UK tour as we speak. I would love to do the Jazz Cafe. So keep checking my site (www.myspace.com/yahzarah) to see what I'm doing and when I'll be in the UK.
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