Guitar Soul Diva
Even though most of the music lovers would probably quote these famous Bey words that "Diva is a female version of a hustla" and increase their chance of being in the same box with the vivid amout of the rest of the world, or if it`s just the first thought spining in their mind, I must say it is pretty tempting after what amount of quality we witnessed from the new age R`n`b Diva herself. But, from my point of view and those of you who share my simillar angle, without any disrespect to the previously mantioned Icon, we must agree that this Diva Universe goes so much far from that.
And we also know that there is and in no way can ever be a singled out exeption about this choice, because all of them women have a unique shine that all toghether bring to light up the four letter title bearing the heavy cross of high worth. So as for my taste it is not so difficult to sum up the list, but to talk about only one of them made this task a bit quirky. How did I come up with the solution? By simply measuring the amount of impact one artist had on not just my emotions and parts of life, but the living in whole, the music and lyrics that touched and changed me, first as a person, then as a student and later as a teacher or you can say a preacher and a future transmiter of that same energy that deeply touched my soul.
The only and I say this with much boldness as I can, only genre that can truly accomplish that, is of course the homonymus one, Soul. My Soul Diva is the only person after my ultimate Aaliyah (the only one that deserves this place and who`s music and career would made her the Ultimate one, as her name also confirmes), who has full claim of rights on the title is India Arie. This soulfood veteran with an angelic voice and one of the purest human souls you will ever get to know through her work, and have no doubt, in person, and one of the few that will capture your heart with every single performance. Born India Arie Simpson, this 40-year-old multi-talented singer-songwriter, actress, musician, record producer with over 13 million sold records worldwide, is like a magician when it comes to the style she represents.
17 Grammy nominations and 4 wins, 2 for Best Urban/Alternative Performance ("Pearls", 2010 and "Little Things", 2013), Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for "Imagine" and Best R`n`B Album ("Voyage To India", 2013) show more than just her quality, but her endless, limitless passion and talent to transcript her art in so many ways, not just music. With a successful parents, mother also a singer who joined Steve Wonder and Al Green on stage and also beeing signed to Motown, and ex. NBA player Ralph Simpson as her father, she really had her childhood filled with nothing but a support to create her artistic path, which luckily she did and with her mother now being her stylist, India has formed heself in the strongest possible candidate for the Diva throne.
Although never on that kind of temperamental state, but when music, acting and spokswoman/preacher role come to question, she has every right to reach for it. From her debut soulfood album "Acoustic Soul" through "Voyage To India" and the best selling project 2006 "Testimony Vol.1: Life & Relationship" and 2009 "Vol.2: Love & Politics" up until "Songversation" (2013), India has contributed gigantic impact and managed to transcend what she wanted and from what every artist should learn, that is to create something meaningful, full of life and something that lasts forever. That is why this powerful woman, guitar lover and a fashon madona should be mentioned and remembered as not just a popular artist that leaves audio imprints, but an ordinary black woman that has integrity, wisdom, spirit and universal letter as a life messenger.
