Goapele’s soothing, silky voice could put anyone to sleep — in a good way.
On her new EP, Dreamseeker, the singer takes listeners on a musical journey that explores activism, motherhood, sensuality and life. The 10-track offering includes production by Mike Tiger, CrakWav, Cornelio Austin, Nate Hendrix, Bedrock and Goapele herself.
“I’m a woman, but I’m also a whole person who won’t be confined to any one box,” Goapele explained. “Nobody is just one thing. Within any race, within any genre, and within any neighborhood, there’s so much diversity. As artists and especially as women of color, we have to be proud of that. I’m coming from an honest place and expressing the different parts of myself that make me whole.”
Dreamseeker is the follow-up to Goapele’s 2014 album, Strong As Glass, which included her singles “Hey Boy” and “Strong As Glass.”
Rated R&B recently caught up with Goapele to discuss her new single “Stay” with BJ The Chicago Kid, her Dreamseeker EP, her fashion business venture and more.
Check out our interview below.
What inspired your new single “Stay”?
I got to work with BJ The Chicago Kid on it, who I have been wanting to work with for a while and we have been trying to figure out how to synergize. A mutual friend, Corn, produced the track and I wanted kind of a hard-hitting song, an 808 love song type of vibe, and it’s kind of how to show us in a relationship.
What made you decide to do an EP this time around instead of a full-length album?
I didn’t want too much time to go by before I put out another project, and I had this body of work, so I wanted to move forward with the seven songs instead of waiting to form it into a whole album. I just wanted to give my fans some music sooner than later.
What’s the meaning behind the EP title Dreamseeker?
It represents that I am still a work in progress of slowly realizing my dreams and I know there [are] so many other people seeking their dreams out there that are on the way. I just really wanted to tap into that.
Aside from music, you’re also venturing into fashion with your own line. Could you tell us a little more about it? What type of products will be available?
Yeah, Dreamseaker is a lifestyle line so I’m just doing limited edition things- some body care products that I make that are just good quality, straight to the point ingredients, you know, because I feel like giving self love is important these days and I did release this jacket that I designed at the top of this year. I’ll be putting out more products quarterly that reflect my lifestyle and what I’m passionate about and just tap into my creativity in a more visual way. I feel like that’s what this year is about. It’s kind of tapping into all the different senses. Even at the live shows for the Dreamseeker Tour, we’ve added visual in to give it another sense.
What inspired you to get involved with HIV/AIDS awareness?
I was inspired to get involved in a healthcare foundation because I know the statistics, especially for young women of color, [have] been going up like crazy, and this organization really wants to reach women and open the dialogue and figure out how we can turn it around basically. Women’s empowerment and women’s health [have] always been important to me, and sometimes it’s just about advocating for each other and sharing what we know and getting over stigmas.
Stream Dreamseeker on Spotify below.
