Goapele

Goapele's South African father Douglas Mohlabane was an exiled political activist who struggled against the Apartheid System.{{cite web |last1=Nero |first1=Mark Edward |title=About Goapele |url=http://randb.about.com/od/upcomingartists/p/Goapele.htm |publisher=About.com |access-date=5 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112818/http://randb.about.com/od/upcomingartists/p/Goapele.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead}} Goapele's New York-born Israeli Jewish mother Noa{{cite news |title=NIGHTLIFE / Goapele |url=https://www.sfgate.com/thingstodo/article/NIGHTLIFE-Goapele-2553816.php |access-date=23 February 2023 |publisher=SFGATE |date=31 August 2006}} had been attending protests since the age of 12. Noa attended Friends World College and was studying in Nairobi, Kenya, where she met and married Douglas.{{cite web |last1=Odum |first1=Shanel |title=Sip From Goapele's Goblet |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2004/05/sip_from_goapeles_goblet/ |website=Vibe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119102828/https://www.vibe.com/news/online_exclusives/2004/05/sip_from_goapeles_goblet/ |archive-date=19 November 2007 |date=4 May 2004 |access-date=23 February 2023}} Goapele and her older brother DJ Namane Mohlabane{{cite web |last=Crooks |first=Peter |url=http://www.diablomag.com/Diablo-Magazine/October-2009/Old-Soul-New-Scene/index.php?cparticle=2&siarticle=1 |title=Old Soul/New Scene |publisher=Diablo Magazine |date=October 2009 |access-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-date=March 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314161117/http://www.diablomag.com/Diablo-Magazine/October-2009/Old-Soul-New-Scene/index.php?cparticle=2&siarticle=1 |url-status=dead }} were raised in a South African exile community in California.{{cite web|url=http://harvesttime.cc/staff.html |title=Harvest Time Staff |publisher=Harvest Time |access-date=October 11, 2012}}

Both of her parents inspired Goapele to become very involved in community affairs at a young age. She attended the Berkeley Arts 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/bio/index.jsp?pid=491322/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026054248/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/bio/index.jsp?pid=491322/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |title=Information Not Found |publisher=Billboard.com |access-date=August 3, 2010}}

Goapele and Theo Rodrigues{{cite news |last1=Hildebrand |first1=Lee |title=Close to the source |url=http://www.sfbg.com/37/08/art_music_goapele.html |access-date=5 March 2023 |publisher=San Francisco Bay Guardian |date=20 November 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052644/http://www.sfbg.com/37/08/art_music_goapele.html |archive-date=4 March 2016}} have a daughter together, Bahia Osun (born May 2007).{{Cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/baby-reg/goapele-mohlabane-theo-rodrigues-may-2007-emeryville?lid=3H1Y3ZAFMAYCX |title=Goapele Mohlabane and Theo Rodrigues' Baby Registry |website=Amazon |access-date=March 30, 2017 |archive-date=March 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331120046/https://www.amazon.com/gp/baby-reg/goapele-mohlabane-theo-rodrigues-may-2007-emeryville?lid=3H1Y3ZAFMAYCX |url-status=dead }}[http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/33600/golden-age/ Golden age: 100-year-old metal artist still creating beautiful pieces] In 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.[http://www.sacbee.com/2010/08/13/2953088/back-after-having-daughter-goapele.html] {{dead link|date=January 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}{{cite web|url=http://wandaspicks.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=132&Itemid=2|title=

Goapele and Hugh Masekela at Stern Grove Sunday, August 5|archive-url=

https://web.archive.org/web/20110901224101/http://wandaspicks.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=132&Itemid=2|access-date=11 July 2024|archive-date=

September 1, 2011}}{{Cite web|url=http://goapele.com/blog/madamenoire-com-interview/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710024757/http://goapele.com/blog/madamenoire-com-interview/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-10|title=Madamenoire.com Interview « Goapele|date=July 10, 2012|website=Archive.ph}}

Goapele returned to Oakland after her time at Berklee 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.{{cite web|url=http://fmshai.blogspot.com/2004/06/goapeles-even-closer.html |title=Deep Reflections of The Acquarian |publisher=fmshai.blogspot.com |access-date=July 7, 2004}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.ascap.com/jam/new_artists/goapele.html |title=ASCAP J.A.M. – Where the Future of Music Begins |publisher=Ascap.com |access-date=August 3, 2010}}

In 2002, she reworked Closer, 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," through Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings. "Closer" was also featured on the soundtrack of the 2003 movie Honey. In 2004, Columbia/Sony Music picked 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 of neo-soul, trip hop, lieder, and jazz. She also toured North America with the band Spearhead. In 2004, Even Closer peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Charts for Top Independent Albums.{{cite web|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=goapele|chart=all}} |title=Music News, Reviews, Articles, Information, News Online & Free Music |publisher=Billboard.com |access-date=August 3, 2010}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://music.barnesandnoble.com/Change-It-All/Goapele/e/827969291023 |title=Change It All, Goapele, Music CD – Barnes & Noble |publisher=Music.barnesandnoble.com |date=December 2, 2005 |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-date=May 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524023236/http://music.barnesandnoble.com/Change-It-All/Goapele/e/827969291023 |url-status=dead }} 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. Goapele appeared on Soul Train to promote the album in May 2006, in what turned out to be the show's final new episode. She also appeared on The Orlando Jones Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, ABC View from The Bay and FOX Good Day Atlanta. Her first three releases have garnered praise from the likes of magazines such as Rolling Stone, Nylon, Interview, Marie Claire, Billboard, Essence, and Vibe. She has appeared on the covers of local Bay Area publications San Francisco Magazine, Diablo Magazine, East Bay Express, SF Bay Guardian, Mugshot Magazine, and City Flight,{{cite web | url=http://www.goapelepress.com/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226023831/http://www.goapelepress.com/ | archive-date=February 26, 2012 | title=エックスサーバー サーバー初期ページ }} She was named the number-5 artist to watch in the July 2003 issue of Rolling Stone magazine, made the countdown on MTV’s Top 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.

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.{{cite web |author=Harlem says |url=http://www.rnbmusicblog.com/goapele-milk-honey |title=Goapele Milk & Honey:New Goapele Album Song Music |publisher=Rnbmusicblog.com |date=July 1, 2009|access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908212526/http://www.rnbmusicblog.com/goapele-milk-honey/ |archive-date=September 8, 2009 |url-status=dead }} However, in August 2011, she announced that the album would be titled Break 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,{{cite web |url=http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/good_day_atl/good_day_xtra/Goapele-Drumma-Boy-Collaborate-on-Song-20100802-gda-sd |title= Goapele, Drumma Boy Collaborate on Song | Good Day Xtra|website=www.myfoxatlanta.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315215859/http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/good_day_atl/good_day_xtra/Goapele-Drumma-Boy-Collaborate-on-Song-20100802-gda-sd |archive-date=March 15, 2012}} 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.{{cite web|last=Kwateng |first=Danielle |url=http://madamenoire.com/12224/goapele-talks-about-her-victory-and-upcoming-album/ |title=Goapele Talks About Her "Victory" and Upcoming Album |publisher=Madame Noire |date=July 27, 2010 |access-date=October 11, 2012}}

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 project Victory, which was released in Winter 2010{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}} and feature an array of artists from the African continent as well as throughout the Diaspora.{{cite web |url=http://randb.about.com/b/2010/07/21/new-music-goapele-hip-hop-pantsula-victory.htm |title=New Music: Goapele with Hip Hop Pantsula – "Victory" |publisher=About.com |date=July 21, 2010 |access-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-date=November 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119033444/http://randb.about.com/b/2010/07/21/new-music-goapele-hip-hop-pantsula-victory.htm |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web |author=Theatrix |url=http://goapele.com/blog/?p=383 |title=Goapele X Hip Hop Pantsula Present "Victory" |publisher=Goapele.com |date=July 20, 2010 |access-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807142657/http://goapele.com/blog/?p=383 |archive-date=August 7, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

In 2014, Goapele signed with singer Eric Benét's record label Jordan House and is in the process of recording new material for her new label.{{cite web|title=YKIGS Live: Eric Benet Talks Signing Calvin Richardson & Goapele, Finding Stars in the Subway, New Music|url=http://youknowigotsoul.com/ykigs-live-eric-benet-talks-signing-calvin-richardson-goapele-finding-stars-in-the-subway-new-music|work=interview|publisher=youknowigotsoul.com|access-date=June 4, 2014}}

In 2014, Goapele released Strong 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.

Apart from her solo work, she has collaborated with West Coast MCs such as Aceyalone, E-40, Zion-I, and Mac Mall; those involved in the Hieroglyphics Crew; Detroit based vocalist Dwele; and Clyde Carson and Mos Def on the track "Different.”

Goapele performed at rallies, demonstrations, and various political events around the world from Cuba to South Africa. On September 14, 2006, the California-based Ella Baker Center for Human Rights honored her with its first ever Human Rights Cultural Hero Award{{cite web |author=Article Tools |url=http://ymib.com/daily-inspiration/entertainment/articles/changing-it-all-goapele.html |title=Changing It All With Goapele | ymib.com – Daily Inspiration |publisher=ymib.com |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202191057/http://ymib.com/daily-inspiration/entertainment/articles/changing-it-all-goapele.html |archive-date=February 2, 2010 |url-status=dead }} 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: {{Cquote|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.

;Studio albums

• Closer (Goapele Music, 2001)
• Even Closer (Skyblaze/Columbia/SME, 2002)
• Change It All (Skyblaze/Columbia/SBMG, 2005)
• Break of Dawn (Skyblaze/Decon, 2011)
• Strong as Glass (Skyblaze/Primary Wave/BMG Rights Management, 2014)
• DreamSeeker (Skyblaze/Primary Wave/Empire, 2017)
• Colours (Skyblaze, 2023)

;Singles

• "Closer" (2002)
• "Got It" (2003)
• "First Love" (2005)
• "Love Me Right" (2006)
• "Soweto" (featuring Hieroglyphics) (2008)
• "Chocolate" (2008)
• "Milk & Honey" (2009)
• "Victory" (featuring Hip Hop Pantsula) (2010)
• "Undertow" (2013)
• "Hey, Boy" (2014){{cite web |url=http://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases |title=Urban/UAC Future Releases |publisher=All Access Music Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730071722/http://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases |archive-date=July 30, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

;Guest appearances

• Hieroglyphics – "Make Your Move" from Full Circle (2003)
• J Boogie's Dubtronic Science – "Try Me" from J Boogie's Dubtronic Science (2003)
• E-40 – "Show & Prove" from Breakin' News (2003)
• Triple Threat – "How U Talkin?" from Many Styles (2003)
• Aceyalone – "Moonlit Skies" from Love & Hate (2003)
• Planet Asia – "Upside Down" from The Grand Opening (2004)
• Tajai – "Dedication" from Power Movement (2004)
• SupremeEx & Tajai – "Meaning" from Nuntype (2005)
• The Team – "Sunshine" from World Premiere (2005)
• Amir Sulaiman – "They Don't Know" from Like a Thief in the Night (2007)
• Zion I – "Life's Work" from Shadowboxing (2012)
• Ben Williams – "Voice of Freedom" from Coming of Age (2015)
• Cassper Nyovest – "Destiny" from "Thuto" (2017)

{{reflist|2}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{Discogs artist|Goapele}}

{{Hieroglyphics (band)}}

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Category:1977 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century African-American women singers

Category:20th-century American women singers

Category:20th-century American singers

Category:African-American women singer-songwriters

Category:American women singer-songwriters

Category:African-American Jews

Category:American people of Israeli descent

Category:American people of South African descent

Category:American rhythm and blues singer-songwriters

Category:American sopranos

Category:Berklee College of Music alumni

Category:Columbia Records artists

Category:Jewish American musicians

Category:Jewish American singers

Category:Singers from Oakland, California

Category:American neo soul singers

Category:Singer-songwriters from California

Category:American contemporary R&B singers

Category:21st-century American women singers

Category:American trip hop musicians

Category:American ballad musicians

Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters

Category:21st-century African-American women singers

Category:21st-century American Jews