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In 2006, two-time Grammy Award-winner India.Arie made it known to the world that she wasn't about her 'Hair' with the release of her third studio LP, 'Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship.' Nearly three years later the neo-soul singer-songwriter has chosen to blend attraction with today's politics for her latest opus 'Testimony Vol. 2 Love & Politics,' currently available in stores.
Although the 33-year-old songstress took two years off in between recordings, the hiatus was well deserved.
"You know how everybody watches TV, everybody reads magazines, and you constantly see there's one or two or three female artists who talk about, 'I had another breakdown, I had to take a little break,'" she recently explained to the Associated Press. "'I was working so hard I almost had another breakdown.' ... It's really a common experience as a woman in the music industry because we're wired to be emotional."
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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"So if you have these things that are kind of like assaulting you emotionally over a long period of time, your emotional body gets kind of worn out, you get tired. It's not a tired that sleep fixes, it's tired that you have to go home and fix," says Arie. "That's where I was."
Having spent time away from the music industry has allowed India.Arie to expand her subject matter and interpret her message for a more global audience.
And judging from the album's production, she has deftly interpreted how she envisions world music.
"I always considered myself a world music artist," she noted. "With the production of this album, I made a world music album, all kinds of sounds, all kinds of guest appearances, all kinds of different people from different cultures...It really is my interpretation of world music."
"And also lyrically, just talking about more than just my world, my internal world, which is what I normally like to talk about ... and addressing my opinion about what's going on in the world."
Collaborating with the likes of Jamaican roots artist Gramps Morgan, MC Lyte, and Musiq Soulchild (who is featured on the album's lead single 'Chocolate High'), has led Arie to also bring her 'Testimony' in front of a live studio audience for VH1's lastest installment of 'SoulStage.'
The 30-minute eclectic showcase features India debuting her new songs like 'Therapy,' 'Better Way,' and a rendition of Sade's classic 1990s ballad, 'Pearls.' In addition, she covers past hits such as 'Brown Skin,' 'There's Hope,' and 'Video.'
Past 'SoulStage' artists included Jill Scott, Wyclef Jean, Erykah Badu, Raphael Saadiq, and Q-Tip. 'Soulstage: India.Arie presented by Infiniti' premieres on VH1 Soul Feb. 17 at 9:30PM/ET, with encore airings on Feb. 20, and Feb. 22 at 1:30PM, 9:30PM and 5:30AM.
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By: Tanya on 2/17/2009 11:07PM
India, I love your music but, as a fan It's no fun getting caught up in your meltdown. For instance, when you canceled a concert in my city at the last moment and some people didn't find out until they had drove a great distance to the venue. But, good luck with your World Music. I guess that means your going to be a little farther out...this time.
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By: Chayil01 on 2/18/2009 2:58PM
I love the chemistry of those 2. When are they going to make it official? I am glad my girl is back and looking happy.
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By: Sloane on 2/24/2009 3:42PM
I love to listen to your music via playing your disc...your concerts are different. You have this presence that is magnetic at first...you seem to allow a negative transformation to occur in the midst of your performance...You talk smack to your audience, who paid to see you, it is their right whether they choose to stand, sit, dance, observe and appreciate...oh yeah, I 'd like to expand on this point...sometimes when an audience is captivated, they don't want to miss a note or an action...therefore they are quiet for all the right reasons, most artist who aren't seasoned, take this the wrong way, moving on...I also don't get why you laugh at yourself on stage, and why you spin around and giggle like you are fresh off the yellow bus! Know your strength and passion...be confident in what you do, honestly you are so very talented and musically gifted...don't allow the negativity or any fear that may rear its ugly face, block your blessings! There is only one India...and I am thankful for you!
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