If there's one thing to know about singer-songwriter India.Arie, it's this: The girl's got some serious soul—and it spans much further than the moving melodies for which she's famous. With two platinum albums ("Acoustic Soul" and "Voyage to India"), 17 Grammy nominations, two Grammy Awards and four NAACP Image Awards under her belt, the R&B artist has not only established herself as "an artist of substance"—as she was recently dubbed by The New York Times—but as an artist of the world.
Breaking out of her shell with the release of revolutionary live studio album "Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics"—an honest and thought-provoking collection of soulful tunes the artist calls "an unhindered expression" of herself—India.Arie makes no excuses for the bold, idealistic message she sends to the world through her self-launched album label, Soulbird Music. That message is also evident in her humanitarian efforts—including trips to Africa as a UNICEF Ambassador addressing the world AIDS crisis and a dedication to programs supporting breast-cancer awareness and inner-city youth—which are quickly earning her as much recognition as her music does. Despite being hailed an R&B artist reminiscent of soul legends Roberta Flack and Stevie Wonder and receiving props from Oprah for her inspirational message of self-esteem, India.Arie is incredibly gracious and unassuming. My candid conversation with her about music, passion and following your heart proved, without question, that India.Arie is the real deal.
ALIVE: You've been on your Soulbird Tour [stopping in St. Louis at the Fox Theatre on June 30] for a few months now. How's it going?
India.Arie: It's been very busy. I got home to Atlanta yesterday, and I have to leave again tomorrow for a month—it's, you know, the life. But I'm enjoying it a lot more now than I have in the past. Being onstage is always fun, but that's only a few hours out of every 24. I'm enjoying the journey more and learning how to shift my mental attitude. I'm growing as an artist, so it's fun.
ALIVE: You've added additional shows with John Legend. What's the chemistry like between the two of you?
IA: Pairing with John just made sense. I knew it would be a package the audience would love to see. For me, the whole process is very experimental. My performance style is all improvisation; I really live in the moment. When you're touring with another great artist, you challenge and bring things out of each other. The thing I respect most about John is his discipline and his ability to communicate music. I first realized what an amazing musician he was when we sang his song "Ordinary People" together many years ago on the Oxygen network. Afterward, I called him up and told him that before I met him, I was kind of upset he existed because he reminded me so much of another artist I was friends with. But after singing with him, I realized how disciplined he was, and I respect him for that. He was laughing so hard, and when I asked him why, he said, "People aren't usually that honest."
ALIVE: The fans get to see that same candid honesty in your latest album, "Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics." What were you able to say with this album that you weren't yet ready or able to say with your previous ones?
IA: There was a time in my career when all I thought about was getting played on the radio, but when I traveled and saw how big the world is and how much other things really mattered, I thought, "I'm not going to do this for the money anymore. I'm going to do it how I want to do it." So I ventured out and made a live album that said what I wanted it to say, which was very risky. I can remember for a lot of my career wanting to say the things that are expressed in this album and being told, "That's too preachy" or "That's too idealistic." I had to forget all that because I can't deny what I believe. Even after being in Kenya and seeing people living in true poverty, I still came back with the same ideals about what it means to love your neighbor. I took the risk because my life didn't feel right doing it the other way. I'd rather take the risk of someone not buying my album than in my heart feeling like I'm not being honest. I'm blessed that it seems to be working.
ALIVE: What was it like to take that kind of risk?
IA: A lot of life-changing things happened when I first began creating this album. I ended up in a rural village in Hawaii and spent a month really contemplating my life and career over the last 10 years. The way that everything turned out is a sign that when my intuition tells me something, I should go with it. I listened to my heart, and it changed my life..
ALIVE: Looking back on your journey from coffeehouse singer to worldwide star, what do you remember most about those early days?
IA: I remember feeling this unequivocal truth that I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing. I'd never felt that sure about anything in my life; I just knew this is what I was meant to do. I remember feeling this way when I was in art school studying jewelry making, and I called my mom and told her I wanted to come back to Atlanta and sing. She told me I could live with her rent-free for one year to see what happened with my career. Within six months, I was making my own money and bought my own car.
ALIVE: How has your mom, also a singer-songwriter and your personal stylist, influenced your career?
IA: I didn't have any formal voice lessons or training; I learned everything I know about singing and songwriting from my mom. We've written some songs together, and she is so talented. But the biggest thing she is to me is my support system. In the music industry, everyone needs someone who will love them unconditionally because there are a lot of people who love what they think you are, but not who you really are. When I'm onstage, I give myself completely to the audience, and when you don't have anyone giving back to you, you can end up burnt out and depleted. Her support is the only reason I can sustain this life because I'm really more of an introverted, solitary person. I wouldn't have been able to do it without her.
ALIVE: It's clear you hold strong convictions. Is there a certain motto you live by, or personal mission?
IA: My personal motto is to tell the truth no matter what, and let the chips fall where they may. Careerwise, my mission is to spread love, healing and peace through the power of words and music. I came up with this mission because I was confronted with all the distractions of the music industry—like winning Grammys, trying to get everyone to like me when I know that's impossible and trying to get on the radio. I realized it was just draining the actual creative process, which is what I love. I make choices based on that mission every day.
ALIVE: What moment in your career will you never forget?
IA: The first time Stevie Wonder called me on the phone and said, "I love your music." I was like, "This is it!" He told me "Brown Skin" was going be the big song of my career. I was in the car and thought I might drive off the road. He told me, "Don't get too excited and crash—we need you on this planet." I about lost my mind when we got off the phone!
ALIVE: When you think about your accomplishments—8 million albums sold worldwide, two Grammy Awards and multiple platinum albums—does it feel real?
IA: No, not yet! It's more like watching an exciting thing happen to someone else. I remember telling my mom when the editor of Essence magazine called me for the first time. I didn't feel like I could own it. It was more like, "Look what God has allowed my life to be." It's almost like there's an India.Arie and a regular India, and India.Arie is huge and couldn't possibly be me.
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