GOAPELE
Goapele has solidified herself amongst the most prolific R&B artists, soulful visionaries and creators of our time. The Oakland native is the daughter of a South African father, who escaped Apartheid and lived in exile, and a New-York born German- Jewish mother. Goapele’s –41– roots and musical background at Berkeley School of Music fueled her to create commanding songs that examine life’s complexities with openness and precision relatable to the ordinary person. This soulful art has been Goapele’s gift, demonstrated through her 2001 iconic breakthrough hit “Closer.” While the industry was saturated with “neo-soul” and “progressive soul” artists at that time, Goapele creatively liquefied a dynamic artistry of soul, R&B, jazz, pop, & bass lines, blending her ethereal voice, suspended moody melodies with raw and evocative lyrics.
For the very private, and slightly enigmatic artist, creating music is therapeutic, making her entire catalog an authentic collection told through a lens of truthful experiences. Her timeless music has been featured in a wide variety of films, television series, and soundtracks, including Dave Chappelle Presents: Luenell (Netflix), So You Think You Can Dance(Fox), Homeroom (Proximity/Hulu), Hitch (Sony Pictures), Power (Starz), Honey (Universal Pictures), Black Lightning (Netflix).
