To those unacquainted to this beautiful, gifted singer, how would you define Goapele in just one sentence?

I wouldn't know how to.

The name Goapele is from the SeTswana language. Any special reason why you kept it as your stage name?

Goapele is my grandmother's surname name, and I've always been proud to represent her and my family in the name that was given to me. It has always been a challenge for people to pronounce, but the meaning "to go forward" motivates me, and since it's so unusual people remember me.

For a child from a multi-cultural background as interesting as yours, how was it growing up in the streets of Oakland?

I was born in Oakland and spent most of my life here, but I also lived in LA and Berkeley. As a small child was surrounded by other children who also had mixed families, so it felt somewhat normal that many of our families were different. There were also times I felt isolated being in America and living so far away from a lot of my family (especially after the life changing period when exiled South Africans could finally go home) and the communities out here weren't forced to be as strong.

How much of a role did/does politics play in your family? What did you think of South Africa growing up?

I grew up in a home that was the center of many gatherings and a strong South African community. Food, song, political discussions and dance were all integrated. Combine that with the fact that my Jewish mother started going to protests at age 12... it was a natural and subconscious decision that I would one day write songs on the struggles that continue.

Have ever you had a chance to visit South Africa, and what was your experience. What were you expecting?

Yes I've been to South Africa a couple of times, and can't wait to go back. Something that caught me off-guard the first time I went, was how separated people were: by class, race, and skin tone, -even in the burial grounds. In America Colored was the same thing as black. 

You were a student at that prestigious institution: Berklee School Of Music, what was the most important lesson you learned whilst there?

I had to live up to my highest potential, and not compare myself with other students.

Your debut "Closer" was pretty much slept-on. How do you feel about its success or lack of?

"CLOSER" was an EP that my family and I put out only in the Bay Area. We sold all of the 3,000 copies we made, and got a great response from folks, which encouraged us to start the record label SKYBLAZE RECORDINDS and get national distribution for "EVEN CLOSER". I'm very happy with how far this project has gone already.

Tell us about recording your latest release "Even Closer" and working with producers such as Amp Live and Mike Tiger on this joint.

I love all the producers I worked with on "Even Closer". Amplive (who co-produced "Closer", and produced "The Daze', and "Got it") is an incredible producer, he and MC Zion, were great to work with. ZionI actually have a new album "Deep Water Slang" that is definitely worth checking out. Mike Tiger (Co-produced "Closer', produced "Red, White and Blues") is another very talented up and coming producer and musician. Soulive did a great job on Romantic. I enjoyed the Duets with, PepLove and Casual from Hieroglyphics on "Ease you mind", and " The Daze". Jeff Bhasker, who I met at Berklee college of music and recorded my first song with "Salvation", (also played on and produced "Things don't exist", "Butterfly kisses") is a name to remember. Producers like Johnson and Johnson, and Sunmoon, came with just the right beats on "Catch 22", "Childhood drama", and more...

Skyblaze Recordings is a new label, what projects can we expect in the near future? Do you get into the business side of things and in your opinion is it important for an artist to do so?

You can expect good music. I think it's important for artists, (especially songwriters) to at least understand how the business works, and see how involved they want to be.

Can you clear up the issue (if there is any) about your song "It Takes More" and Scarface's "In Cold Blood"? Any bitterness about the song not making "The Barbershop" soundtrack?

It's coincidental that Scarface and I had a song using the same sample...it would have been tight if "It takes more" was in "Barbershop"...crazy enough I saw my name in the credits, cause it was too late to take it out- it was kind of exciting to see it go by on the big screen.

The interestingly titled single "Soweto" has been getting airplay on Johannesburg's Y-fm (courtesy of The Naked DJ). How was recording "Soweto" with the Hieroglyphics, they seem like a crazy crew. And tell us about the day you did that refreshing video.

It makes me so happy to know our song "Soweto" is being played in Soweto- that's a dream come true! We filmed the video in the Death Valley, where I felt like I was going to die- it was 124 degrees!
Heiro has been great to work with, they've been very supportive, and there are more collaborations to come.

How and why did you become so involved with the Bay Area hiphop?

When I was a teenager, Hip-Hop shows was what I could get into. My brother Namane is also a DJ, so some of my first shows we performed together, (me singing old soul songs with new words, reflecting relevant issues) over hip hop instrumentals.

Having worked so many hiphop legends such as Zion I, Aceyalone and producers such as RJD2 and Amp Live, do feel that your sound can be categorised as Hiphop? Or do you think that categorisations such as these are limiting for an artist.

Yes I think categorising artists can be creatively limiting, and limiting to our audience. 

Which artist would you like to work with? Are there any South African artists in your wish list?

Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Caiphus Semenya, and more.

Do you feel it is more difficult to make it in this industry as a socially-aware/conscious artist? If so where do you get the inspiration to continue doing what you do?

The above artists inspire me. Other older artists and still extremely relevant 

Did you write all your songs? Tell us about "Red, white and blues". Did people understand the message behind that song? How you feel about the current situation concerning the Gulf Region?

Yes, I wrote all the songs on Even Closer. Red, White and Blues was written as a response from me and all the under-represented voices who feel that war is not the answer, and how manipulated I felt as I watched the news. I felt that it was important to look at the lives that are lost every day- in the US and at the hands of the US. 

What do you think can be done to remedy the imbalance of women visibly active in Hiphop?

For more women to get out there and do their thing- As artists and as women in powerful positions-and folks have to look out for them acknowledge them, acknowledge (us). 

True to your name, you always on the move…forward. You do a lot of shows and extensive travelling to promote your art. How do you manage and how do you relax from this hectic lifestyle?

chill out with my family and friends. I try to balance my time so I have time to relax.

Where can we find out more about Goapele?

www.goapele.com

Any last words to all the African hiphop brothas and sistas that will be reading this?

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Think about what you really want in your life, your career, your dreams and goals- believe you can get there, and be ready to put in some work.

Thank you for bringing us Even Closer. Pula.

Peace and love, goapele

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