There’s a running joke amongst my friends that our generation has limited great and timeless music.
Our parents had groups like the O’Jays singing songs like “Forever Mine,” while we had Snoop Dogg and phrases like “We don’t love them hoes.”
I’m here to tell you, things are turning around. For those of you who prefer commercial R&B, are hard-core old school junkies or hip-hop heads, let me introduce you to YahZarah.
She’s of The Foreign Exchange/Little Brother camp of East Coasters who are almost single handedly bringing back quality music. YahZarah has a fresh new album, “The Ballad of Purple Saint James,” and let me tell you, it is good from the very beginning to the very end.
Unlike many of today’s singers, who are musical robots simply selling a product, this songbird has created an album that is comprised of lyrics and sounds that she loved. It’s a musical gumbo that has a Mary Poppins kind of feel to it – practically perfect in every way.
YahZarah (pronounced, YAH- zuh-RAH) is likened to great singers such as Shirley Murdock and Pat Benetar, with some jazz and gospel mixed together.
“The Ballad of Purple Saint James” is a labor of love and you can tell by YahZarah’s delivery that she enjoyed creating this album. I strongly recommend you immediately add this to your music collection. YahZarah and her music is infinite, genuine and something that true music lovers can enjoy.
The Recorder recently spoke to YahZarah and learned all about this soft spoken, yet gritty and bellicose musician and her journey in creating a masterpiece.
Recorder: Tell me about your journey to becoming a singer?
YahZarah: I think mine is the same as a few people I know. I started in the church at seven years old. I’m from Washington D.C., and I come from a musical family. My mother sang, my grandmother was a pianist, my grandfather was a music teacher. So music has been around me and in my life as long as I can possibly remember. I probably sang before I could speak. I’ve had a great appreciation for great music.
I always comment on how you can see the power of music at its most intimate, when you’re in a spiritual setting. The power to change a life, to change a heart, to change the mood. At that time I knew I wanted to be used for something great and I realized I enjoyed it. When I was older, I started singing at local talent shows and at age 10, I did my first performance at the Kennedy Center. It was a huge experience for me – I played with a live band and I knew that’s what I was born to do.
For those who are unfamiliar with you, describe your style?
I’m a fish-net pantyhose with back seam clasps. You like that analogy? I’m gritty, but I’m also classic and soft and know how to tell stories. I want the longevity and class of Diana Ross, and the (rebellious) image of Grace Jones, and the vocal prowess of people like Tina Turner, Minnie Riperton and Chaka Khan. Those are whom I seek to emulate.
You’ve worked with Phonte of Little Brother and famed producer Nicolay, what’s it like working with them?
We’re all nuts. (Laughs) Working with them is not very formal because I consider them friends. Phonte and I have been writing music together for over a decade. We went to college together. We kind of finish each other’s creative sentences. It’s easy, it’s fluid, its organic. I really don’t feel like it’s work when I’m making music with either one of them. I’m just engaged in something that’s natural to me. We respect each other’s gifts, what we each bring to the table and I think it comes out in the music.
Our music is humanity. We’re talking about love, relationships, personal ideas – especially now when music is pretty much about (sex) and fun. I don’t know how many people can afford to do that all day. That’s where records like “Leave it All Behind” and “The Ballad of Purple Saint James” have a place for people who are experiencing real life issues and love and loss.
The title of your new album is “The Ballad of Purple Saint James.” That’s quite a name, tell me about it?
One of the definitions of a ballad is a long story. Purple Saint James is kind of my muse. I created her when I was disillusioned with the music industry. Hearing my own name, YahZarah, literally made me have writer’s block from time to time because it was associated with so much pain… and pimping. I felt like I got pimped out – my voice, my stories, the person I wanted to be just became muddled.
Eventually, I started writing for other artists and doing hooks for rappers. When you talk about ‘my crew got guns’ and ‘let’s go half on a baby,’ you don’t really want your brand associated with that. Purple was born out of that time and she just stuck. Purple Saint James is this chick that sings what she wants and does what she likes and doesn’t have a box around her by association.
“The Ballad of Purple Saint James” is my opportunity to tell my story, my ballad in a series of 13 songs. This record is about finding one’s self, love and loss and all that fun stuff in between.
What’s it like being in the forefront as a real and raw artist?
It’s an adventure. For me it’s a healing process. My last label told me they didn’t like my writing, that my singing was too complicated. I’d be in the booth and they’d stop the tape and tell me to sing like I couldn’t sing. They’d say things like ‘you’ll be the chick to let dark-skinned girls think they could be beautiful and light-skinned girls know they’re more than a pretty face. By the time I was done, I didn’t think I had anything to give. Most importantly, I didn’t feel like my ideas were my gifts.
To have people embrace this record the way they have, it’s my confirmation to me that who I’ve been my whole life and what I want to do musically is the right thing, and people do enjoy what I have to give them. Now they finally get to hear it – my truth.
Is that the inspiration behind the new album?
Absolutely, an opportunity to introduce myself as who I truly am through the eyes of my muse.
What’s your favorite song on the album?
(Laughs) You can’t ask me that. That’s unfair because I genuinely love this whole record. I had been driving around with “The Ballad…” for three months. It’s my favorite record, not because I’m singing it, but because it’s a great record. I love all the songs for different reasons. “Cry Over You,” I enjoy that because it reminds me of Klymaxx’s “Meeting in the Ladies Room.” It’s a woman’s anthem without being a male-bashing song. “Strike Up the Band,” exudes the kind of class and demeanor of all the women who I’m a piece of that can only be found on vinyl. “Starship,” is about the baggage that I let go of. That song was a healing process for me. “All My Days,” I think that’s going to be a classic, even when I’m dead and gone because everyone just loves a great love song like when you listen to “Secret Lovers” or “Saturday Love,” songs I grew up on. I can go on and on about this record.
You’ll be in Indianapolis for a concert. Now we’ve heard what you’re like in the booth – what are you like on stage?
I always ask people to come with an open mind, an open heart. My shows are half juke joint, half church. There are a range of emotions you’re going to go through and I’m going to work myself into an asthma attack for your enjoyment. (Laughs)
Any last words or thoughts for Recorder readers?
Just continue following great music. Not only my own, but others like me. Try not to download it and support these shows. The only way people know we exist is if you guys tell them. I consider all my fans my walking billboard and the movement begins. This is a movement that’s saying across the world great music can win. Talking about stories about love and truth, the stuff that really matters can win. I hope people hear the sincerity of the stuff I and the Foreign Exchange is putting out. The best is yet to come.
For more information on YahZarah, email whereisyahzarah@gmail.com or visit theforeignexchangemusic.com.
Soul sessions: Foreign Exchange Sound System
Join Old Soul Entertainment for their monthly soul session, featuring YahZarah & The Foreign Exchange Sound System (Phonte of Little Brother and producer Nicolay) May 22 at the Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave. Doors open at 10 p.m.
In celebration of her new album release, “The Ballad of Purple Saint James,” YahZarah will perform along with a special DJ set by The Foreign Exchange Sound System and Indianapolis’ own DJ, Metrognome. Tickets are $10 before noon on the day of the show, and $15 after that. This is a 21 and older show. For more information, call (317) 698-3378 or (317) 253-4900, or visit oldsoulentertainment.eventbrite.com.
