Passage to India
Before the myriad of pretty young R&B singing clones polluted the music industry, there was a "neo-soul" surge in black music. Prolific singer/songwriters emerged detailing experiences of love, passion and life lessons. Leading the charge was the ethereal India.Arie, who garnered the feel-good hit "Video," the platinum album Acoustic Soul and two Grammy awards. After four years she's finally releasing her third studio album, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship. Remaining India is not an easy task as other artists resort to peeling off clothes in a lustful prayer for a No. 1 hit. Arie is fully dressed in flowing, colorful sarongs and has crowned her head with every natural style from dreadlocks to a baldy. "I know I could make a lot more money if I did other things?or even promoted other things," she reasons. "On the other hand, I'm a very unique artist. Some people get it and some people don't. For me it's about not being attached to a certain outcome where your career is concerned. Having the space to walk your creative truth and say, 'I'm going to be true to myself.' It just depends on what your idea of success is?I don't have to change the way I dress to do that."
An India.Arie show is more than watching her strum a guitar. It's an uninhibited celebration of life and freedom. As a live performer, she's authentic. "However I feel that day is how the show is going to be," she says. "If I'm happy, I might jump around and dance, do a cartwheel!"
India continuously challenges the trite confines of mainstream music, and in doing so has transcended the boundaries of being just an R&B artist. "I have much less R&B in my music live. I don't do that intentionally, but performing live you have the freedom to be creative in that moment."