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I
Am Inobe!
“I’m a true believer that I
was sent here to be a minister through music. I’ve
always respected the power of one’s song and voice.
Music is a healer of people, regardless of race, religion
or social background.” – Inobe
Spirituality is important to Inobe. She lives by it, feels
it in every note and melody that she sings. Inobe’s
goal isn’t to merely entertain audiences with a sassy
song and dance act. She wants to give more of herself than
just the physical. Simply put, Inobe wants to use her God-given
talents to reach into the soul of her listeners and touch
the very essence of their spirits. She wants to give you
an illuminating and inspiring music experience that transcends
the material world. The Atlanta-based artist has been causing
a stir with her unique blend of neo-classical soul that’s
been called “Billie Holiday-meets-funk-jazz”.
Inobe’s debut album, “I Am Inobe” firmly
establishes the soulstress as a force to be reckoned with
in the neo-soul world. She’s also a force to be reckoned
with in the business world. In keeping with the tradition
of so many of today’s neo-soul performers, Inobe has
decided to maintain her independence and reach a core audience
through careful marketing strategy, retail sales and the
power of the internet. It’s a decision that she says
came naturally and without any hesitation. “Artistic
integrity is extremely important to me,” she says.
“I feel a need to control my music destiny. In this
day and age, you can be a successful artist before or even
without signing with a major label.” Inobe studied
music business courses at Georgia State University that
have empowered her to co-produce, finance and release her
self-entitled, independent album. Inobe’s record is
selling steadily in local retail outlets including Tower
Records, Peppermint Music and HMV. Her songs are being played
on several radio stations in the region.
Inobe
has been featured as an opening act for Musiq Soulchild
and Donell Jones. She was also a showcasing artist at the
2002 Atlantis Music Conference. Later this year, Inobe will
embark on a community outreach initiative that she is planning
with the Southern Arts Federation. She and her band will
visit three or four arts-deprived communities to conduct
music performance/business workshops for youths that are
considering futures in music business or the arts. Each
workshop will culminate with a free concert designed to
bring additional awareness of her project and broaden her
grass-roots fan base.
Walking that fine line between secular and gospel music
has always been a bold feat that many artists have attempted
but few have mastered. Ronald Isley, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cook
and Aretha Franklin are but a few who have traveled down
that road where the material meets the divine and the flesh
collides with the spirit. Inobe has no fear about walking
a music tightrope that has proved difficult at best to the
careers of so many who came before her. “I can get
God’s point across through my music,” Inobe
says. “I Am Inobe” offers a front porch mix
of southern soul, jazz, funk and blues that encourages without
getting preachy. The most distinct part of the album is
Inobe’s voice. A classically trained soprano with
a five-octave vocal range, Inobe’s voice is a soul-shifting
force that moves your mind and soul and draws you in to
participate to her melodies. With a myriad of songs that
range from broken relationships to the empowerment of black
women, Inobe ushers a healing process through your eardrums.
And she succeeds. “I write about what I’ve gone
through, what I’ve experienced.” Inobe says.
Check out her lyrics from “Impressionable”.
“I woke up this morning with you on my mind/Can’t
wait to see your face, so we can spend some time/I love
it when it’s just you and me/I’m so content,
I must admit”. Most would assume that Inobe is simply
referring to a lover. But the fact is she’s actually
referring to Jesus. The song was meant to work on both levels
so everyone could relate.
Prodigy
would best describe Inobe. At age eight, she wrote and performed
her first song at her grandfather’s church, Mt. Sinai
Missionary Baptist, in her native St. Petersburg, Florida.
“The song was based on John 3:16 in the bible,”
says Inobe. “I wrote about what I knew at the time
and what I really felt and held dear.” Pageants, talent
shows and modeling jobs would follow for the woman born
Ebonie Johnson. As a teen, Inobe learned early about the
power of music. She decided it would be the platform that
would allow people to gravitate to her and her message.
It is the enlightening lyrical content combined with great
music that makes Inobe such a special artist. “I Am
Inobe” goes from juke joint to jazz lounge in an instant.
And that’s how Inobe wants it to be done. Label it
gospel, soul or the blues. Label it funk or jazz. Inobe
doesn’t really care as long as you label it excellent.
“When people understand they have something to relate
to in music, they tend not to categorize it,” Inobe
says. “I understand that music heals people. It has
a way of capturing you, of pulling you in. We all go through
the same things in life. And through music, we can function
together as one.” As you listen to the soul of Inobe,
you’ll come away inspired by her experience.
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