If you weren't standing outside of Radio City Music Hall last night searching for last minute tickets to Jay-Z's "Reasonable Doubt" concert, then chances are you were wondering, "when is India.Arie's new cd Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationships being released?" Well wonder no more, tomorrow (June 27th) you'll be able to legally purchase arguably one of the most honest and introspective albums Mary J. Blige's The Breakthrough.
From the outside looking in, it seems all India has done in these almost four years since her last album is change her hairstyle as the first single "I Am Not My Hair" featuring Akon suggests and break up with her boo. In my conversation with India she explained the genesis of this new album and how she spent her time away from the spotlight.
That first year I was formulating everything spiritually getting it together in my mind. In the next two years that followed I was learning the emotional lessons that were to become songs. I was in a relationship that I wrote a lot of songs about. I didn’t write about the relationship but more about the healing process. After that relationship was over, that was the best thing that happened to me in that time period.
"I Am Not My Hair" began as a duet with Pink, but due to redirection she then re-recorded it with a feature from Shawnnafrom Disturbing the Peace which was later ditched for the version featuring Akon. Listen to the original versions here.
The second single is titled "There's Hope," one of the many songs where India reveals just why we love her. She stays true to herself and maintains integrity -- both personally and muscially.
"There's Hope" deals with the healing process of her relationship. She manages to take her disappointment and her broken heart and mold it into a sort of beautiful pain. Similarly on a record titled "Good Morning," where she greets all of the new found changes in her life after a break up and admits how important something as simple as a good morning kiss was.
I like this album because although India wears her "peace & blessings" like a second skin, her delivery is strong and clever and poetic and authentic. She makes heartache sound so beautiful, kinda like Toni Braxton did on Secrets.
SOHH... after a few listens I realized maybe India.Arie isn't her hair, maybe she has out grown the backpacker thing. Yeah, she is still hella granola but that's ok. By now I'm convinced that it's not a gimmick. Her respect for music and her commitment to doing it her way is something I can appreciate.
oh man im so excited about India's new cd, i will mos def be picking it up, next week, she is great singer with wonderful lyrics. yeahhhhh INDIA'S BACK
Yeah man. Thats why I dig her, she just is what she is and does that without any apologies for not being what the industry typically pushes. I love what I've heard of the CD so far.
I really like india, but sometimes I find her "dare to be different" attitude a bit heavy-handed. You don't have to prove to me how different you are. Just sing.
She need to go back to Africa, fa real.
One word for Arie - dope. And she moves units while keeping her clothes on - amazzzzzzzinnngggggg...
I really like india, but sometimes I find her "dare to be different" attitude a bit heavy-handed. You don't have to prove to me how different you are. Just sing
Thats what make Indie indie u dumb ass..
Better her than kanye who keeps on overdoing shit and fucckin up
Oh word, Kilo? Peep this:
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/story/429367p-362007c.html
I read that. LOL, thats fucked up.
I absolutely adore India. I've been counting down the days, and I'll be first in line tomorrow to get that cd.
Sounds like India is really the person Lauryn Hill has been trying to be.
I have nothing but respect for India for actually "keepin it real" and remaining true to herself and her craft.
She need to go back to Africa, fa real.
Posted by: Shaunie at June 26, 2006 11:27 AM
..........
NOW THIS IS MY PROBLEM WITH SOME OF YOU Crakaz JUS CUZ YOU LISTEN TO HIP HOP YOU THINK ITS OKAY TO TAKE THE PISS.
HOW DARE YOU SAY "She need to go back to Africa". WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU??
THE SISTER IS SINGING FROM HER HEART ABOUT ISSUES THAT AFFECT MANY OF US BLACK PEOPLE WORLD WIDE.
Shaunie WATCH YOUR BEFORE YOUR MOUTH MAKE DISRESPECTFUL COMMENTS LIKE THAT!!!
THATS MY WORD.
I love her. She is GREAT!!!
India Arie always equals good music, worth every penny spent. Keep bangin em out girl.
God Bless!
PZ
Thank God India is back on the scene every now and then we need a "breath of fresh air" of real music that Speaks to our souls. Nothing superfical just true music and when I say not superfical I mean(Ppl don't enjoy India's music b/c she has long hair flowing down her back,light-skin,or b/c you can see the cheeks of her ass in videos. They like her music-only mature minds can understand things of that nature,and I didn't say ppl that are older I said mature minds.
India Arie always equals good music, worth every penny spent. Keep bangin em out girl.
God Bless!
PZ
I'm feeling India with the the song I am not my hair joint! I would have liked to hear more from her before the Album came out just to boost my reassurance so I will prolly go to circuit city and listen to the snippets to see if I really want this.
Man I really don't care about her really to tell u the truth i don't even know wat kind of song dat is any way
Yo Scott Free,
I said the same thing when I laid eyes on her, except my thoughts were more like "Damn, the God will make hot passionate grown man love 2 that planet"
2 the assclown who said the queen was ugly, U need 2 snap out of that European superficial way of thinking, I guess she'd be hot if she was a redbone huh?
GTFOH!!!!
Peace PZ, what's good?
Go cop the 5% Album in stores now!
Gotta love India. I heard the album already and it's dope. She has a joint on there called Good Mourning. Can't stop listening to it.
Not feeling everything she does with her hair
but contrary to another blog
she ain't ugly just sometimes she trys looks that just don't work for her.
I agree she sometimes trys to hard to be different. But I respect her for not caring what everyone thinks cause people can soo fkin judgemental.
but screw all the pro black ish she gotta fatty. I'd put a mojo on that girl just call me Pokey-mon
india's good
I'm glad India ain't her hair, cuz her head wuz fucked up at the BET awards.
im surpised shes dropping another album...I thought she was just gonna do those damn tribute performaces at the BET awards(shes been in like every damn on)
BCB
I have heard her perform some of her new song in London and she was da bomb. Her voice was perfect live, so sweet, beautiful, smooth and in pitch. The new songs sounded real good. I was feeling them more than her old songs. For real this is the shit. I am going to grab a copy for sure. and trust me I ain't no promo loser.
Yeah Yeah India Arie is good I guess. She need 2 sit ha bald head ass down sumwhur. Cuz dat ho is COMPLETELY borin as hell. "I AM NOT HAIR"(LOL)!!! More like "I NEED SUM HAIR" Cus she look ridiculious fa'real. Den she slick act like sum wrong wit ha she jus b laughin i b like wat da fuck she laughin @? Do y'all kno wat she b trippin @? Aite y'all enough of ha im gone
I'm sorry but the comments on this site have me cracking up....some of the stuff ain't right but it's funny.
but india's cool wit me
I dont care if a bitch got money,,a phat pussy,,collgeg degree..no babies..and an ass that look like it was made @ jolly donuts--Im still HARD ON A HOE!!!!
I love india arie...she's a real woman that can express herself in a way that most people can't. People fear what they don't know, envy what is beyond them and make fun of what they'll never understand. But don't worry because "There's Hope".
I don't care for the Shawnna version but the Pink version is tight.
That pink version is the best, even better than the regular song released,or the remix with Akon. Pink souded better than India, maybe thats why it wasn't released,you just don't out-sing the artest on her own song, thats just an opinion though. I don't think India is not "trying" to be different she just is different. Maybe she was "trying" to be more typical at first, to gain a broader audiance, and now that she's done that she can be closer to who she is.
yall need 2 stop hatin on india she is tight people just wanna see ass and tits all over tha place she keeps it real but she goes a little over board with her style but she is a prime example of a true sista
i love india and i love pink...both their voices blend beautifully!!muthafuckas shoulda released this version!!glad 2 see pink goin back 2 her R&B roots 2!!
damn some of these people up in here missed the Fn point of the song entirely.. its got nothing to DO with her hair but what you see when you look at people.. Guess she's too deep for some... too beautiful for the haters..
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