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Goapele sings from her history as well as her heart. Broad Soul Oakland's own Goapele has taken one step Closer to future classic By Gabriel Serpa Bay Area soulist Goapele is true unsigned hype as she recently released the self-produced, Closer. From the striking cover to the music itself, the album's production is first-rate. Its electric yellow cover radiates the tranquility Goapele conveys with her music. Her beats are the catalyst for vibing with Goapele, but when her vocals come into play, she takes over. Closer resides in a smooth soulfulness amidst the raw presence of her distinct vocals. Describing herself as a "broad soul," Goapele provides room for her music to be raw, jazzy, urban, truthful, and positive. There is a variety of local talent involved in this project. Credit goes to Zion I's Amp Live on the opening track and album's namesake, "Closer," Digital Underground's DJ Fuze comes through spinning on "It Takes More," and (((Local 1200))) affiliate Theo "the duedaddy" Rodrigues represents with lyrics on "You." With ten tracks on the album, it maintains form and strength with no need to skip a song. As an Oakland native, Goapele began her career as a teen when she participated in the Oakland Youth Chorus. Her talent then brought her to the East Coast where she studied at the Berklee College of Music. As a student of the arts, Goapele began a journey to truly develop her musical education. While in school she found herself writing songs, songs that would later appear on her first album -- an album that she says never would have been heard without family coming together to help get it out on the streets. A 24-year-old South African Jewish American, Goapele credits a great deal of her education to the diverse musical influences she grew up listening to, from Sweet Honey in the Rock to South African jazz to early '90s hip hop like Tribe Called Quest. Having recently returned from a five-month international tour with Spearhead, Goapele is still basking in the overwhelming praise her performances received. Her vocals shatter souls, leaving audiences begging for more. Tracks like "Catch 22" are just waiting to be a classic. This stunning lady can vocally capture the heart of anyone (and if you see her in person be careful because you might just hurt yourself!). Currently Goapele is working on the second album to be produced on her own Sky Blaze Records label. And once again she'll show some local love as Pep Love of the Hieroglyphics is slated to guest appear on the new album. You can cop Closer at most Bay Area record stores and check her website out at www.goapele.com. [ East Bay | Metroactive | Archives ]