Born:
Goapele Mohlabane, July 11, 1977, in Oakland, CA.
Goapele Mohlabane, July 11, 1977, in Oakland, CA.
Early Life:
Her Jewish mother, Noa, married South African political exile Douglas Mohlabane while studying in Nairobi, Kenya. At an early age, Goapele attended the Berkeley Arts Magnet School in northern California, where she became involved in various groups and organizations against racism and sexism. In high school, she sang in the Oakland Youth Choir and became part of a music group called Vocal Motion. Upon high school graduation, she attended Boston's Berklee School of Music for a year and a half.
Her Jewish mother, Noa, married South African political exile Douglas Mohlabane while studying in Nairobi, Kenya. At an early age, Goapele attended the Berkeley Arts Magnet School in northern California, where she became involved in various groups and organizations against racism and sexism. In high school, she sang in the Oakland Youth Choir and became part of a music group called Vocal Motion. Upon high school graduation, she attended Boston's Berklee School of Music for a year and a half.
Professional Career:
In 2001, she and her independent label, Skyblaze Recordings, signed a distribution deal with Columbia Records and in 2002 she released her official debut album Even Closer, featuring the single "Closer." She co-wrote and co-produced the entire album, which is a mostly a mixture of R&B and Jazz. Her sophomore album, Change It All, featuring the single "First Love," was released in December, 2005.
In 2001, she and her independent label, Skyblaze Recordings, signed a distribution deal with Columbia Records and in 2002 she released her official debut album Even Closer, featuring the single "Closer." She co-wrote and co-produced the entire album, which is a mostly a mixture of R&B and Jazz. Her sophomore album, Change It All, featuring the single "First Love," was released in December, 2005.
Collaborations:
Apart from her solo work, she has collaborated with rappers Aceyalone, E-40, Hieroglyphics, (all of whom are from Northern California's Bay Area) and Triple Threat. Goapele's also written for the jazz trio Soulive.
Apart from her solo work, she has collaborated with rappers Aceyalone, E-40, Hieroglyphics, (all of whom are from Northern California's Bay Area) and Triple Threat. Goapele's also written for the jazz trio Soulive.
Her Name:
Pronounced gwah-PLAY, it means "to go forward" in the South African language of Tswana.
Pronounced gwah-PLAY, it means "to go forward" in the South African language of Tswana.
The Last Word:
"With my music, I’m telling my own story. I’m expressing my own view. I want for people to not feel like they’re alone. I want people to reflect on their own lives and think about the things that they want and figure out how to obtain them. Also for people that aren’t satisfied with what they see around them and in their communities, I hope it motivates them to start taking small steps to change those things." Goapele, to BellaOnline.com.
"With my music, I’m telling my own story. I’m expressing my own view. I want for people to not feel like they’re alone. I want people to reflect on their own lives and think about the things that they want and figure out how to obtain them. Also for people that aren’t satisfied with what they see around them and in their communities, I hope it motivates them to start taking small steps to change those things." Goapele, to BellaOnline.com.
