Arie contributed vocals to "Imagine" for the 2010 Herbie Hancock album, The Imagine Project along with Seal, Pink, Jeff Beck, Konono N☁, Oumou Sangare, and others. Arie is one of over 70 artists singing on "We Are the World: 25 for Haiti", a charity single in aid of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Arie performed "Video" with British singer Adele at the 2009 VH1 Divas. The album was her first produced and released after her departure from Motown to Universal Records. Within this CD, Arie collaborated with such artists as Sezen Aksu, Keb Mo, Gramps Morgan, and Musiq Soulchild to fulfill her self-proclaimed desire to "do projects with people who are making music that is meaningful, with a lot of integrity and a lot of sonic diversity".Īrie also identified this CD as her first to write and sing songs without worrying about public opinion after a much-needed vacation to Hawaii. 2, Love & Politics was released on Tuesday, February 10, 2009. Arie performed a duet with singer Anthony David for his song "Words" for his 2008 album Acey Duecy. In a 2007 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show entitled "After Imus: Now What?" Arie was a guest panelist. "I Am Not My Hair" was the most successful release from Testimony: Vol. It gave Arie her first number-one spot on the Billboard 200 and was her second chart-topper on the R&B charts. She is also featured on Stevie Wonder's album A Time To Love.Īrie's third studio album was Testimony: Vol. Arie followed the success of her debut in 2002 with the release of Voyage to India. The album eventually was certified double platinum. This recording acquainted listeners by drawing listeners from hip-hop, neo-soul, blues, folk, and classic troubadour-style singer/songwriting. It was a direct result of writing songs," she said at the press release of her debut album, Acoustic Soul. "When I started tapping into my own sensitivity, I started to understand people better. She had taken up a succession of musical instruments throughout her schooling in Denver, Colorado, but her interest in the guitar while attending the Savannah College of Art and Design led to a personal eye-opener about songwriting and performing. Her mother made up the "Arie" part and her first name was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, whose birthday she shares. It was after picking up a guitar, however, that she was inspired to create her own music and write her own songs.Īccording to a DNA analysis, she descends from the Mende people of Sierra Leone, the Krio people of Liberia, and the Fula people of Guinea-Bissau. As a child, Arie sang in church on a regular basis and played almost every instrument she could get her hands on.
Arie’s mother Joyce was a former singer and clothing designer who once opened for Stevie Wonder and Al Green and her father Ralph was a professional basketball player. Both parents early in her life encouraged her musical skills. She is a Black singer, musician, and songwriter.įrom Denver, Colorado, India Arie Simpson was raised in Atlanta, where her mother moved India and her brother J'on after her divorce. Her music has a positive message, a purpose and her songs elevate the mind.*India Arie was born on this date in 1975. In sum, SongVersation is a priceless CD in which Arie has given the gift of music to humanity through spiritually and culturally enriching songs.
Additionally, the Soulbird company includes apparel, merchandise, jewelry, film, music, TV and book publishing. Similarly, Soulbird is Miss Arie’s label imprint which has been expanded into a multi-faceted company. Soul-bird was founded to create “soul inspiring” art, music and media. Moreover, as a business owner, India Arie has created a company called Soulbird. While in 2002, Voyage to India debuted at number one on the R&B chart. 1, Life & Relationship in 2006 hit number one on the Billboard 200 Chart. 1, Life & Relationship, 2006 and Testimony: Vol. The other four albums are Acoustic Soul, 2001 Voyage to India, 2002 Vol. Invariably, Arie does conscious soul music, R&B, Neo Soul and Folk music. Song after song accentuates great Black Rhythm and Blues(R&B), spiritual rejuvenation and global music. In essence, SongVersation exemplifies India Arie’s monumental creative genius, spiritual awakening and cultural empowerment. I am light.” Some of the other songs include: Thy Will Be Done, Cocoa Butter, Brother’s Keeper, Flowers and One. Again, she sings, “I am divinity defined. Spiritually, in the song, I Am Light, Arie crystallizes the soul power within and it is solid gold.