“I would never diminish another’s’ accomplishments by comparing myself to them, limit my achievements by having them compared to me nor will I compromise or try to make you comfortable to be in the “in” crowd. I am quite controversial. I am who I am” ~ NeoSouljah
Educator. Performance Poet. Singer. Songwriter. Vocal Coach. Host. Actress. The level of diversity to NeoSouljah’s list of talents and abilities often make it hard to pigeonhole her into the category of anything other than Artist.
NeoSouljah was the very first presenter of Spoken Word and host of an open mic/Slam competition at The National Society of Black Engineers conventions on the National level, and the first clinician to approach the topics of relationships and sexual/emotional responsibility in their workshop forum, commanding a larger filled to capacity session each year as she served it up “black: no sugar, no cream”
Though "discovered" and baptized NEOSOULJAH by Stellar and Dove award winner Babbie Masons’ International Music Conference in 2002, "Neo" has been singing, coaching, writing and performing for many, many years. Her list of accomplishments range from Conference Speaker (National Conference - National Society of Black Engineers ~ NSBE), to Worship Leader Since that time she has graced stages in the company of such noted HBO Def Poets as Malik Salaam, Cola Rum, Tommy Bottoms, as well as noted Peabody/Tony award winners Abyss and Georgia Me; stood in the pulpit and ‘spit’ at an array of local and national churches and regional conferences, as well as taking home top honors in local and multi-city Slam competitions. In December of 2007 while featuring at The Clef it Philly, she partnered with Mudu Multimedia [HBO Def Poetry Jam, Common, Raheem Devaughn, The Roots]
Her collaborations are many as her voice has been lent to commercials, demos, and background vocals. In April of 2007 she caught the ear of Jazz artist Brian O’Neal [keyboardist/KEM] and from their first meeting one of her now signature pieces “He Played Me” was born. She returned to Detroit later that year to contribute to his latest CD release “Daisy”, vocally on “Let Me Do It Again”, and poetically as she penned “Because” to compliment his tribute to his grandmother Daisy. 2 months later, NeoSouljah was billed as both the special featured guest and host of his CD release party where Grammy award winning Jazz artist KEM called her work “amazing”. It was noted that her sound check prior to the beginning of the show caused everyone to stop working, and just listen.
To see “Neo” stand on a stage at a full-figured, statuesque 6’1” in stiletto heels and a gigantic Afro is one thing. To hear her voice with a range from 2nd tenor to mezzo-soprano is another. She is the real deal - delivering note for note every emotion from pain, to anger, to forgiveness, to fun, to love. Her roots are deep in Gospel, but because of her ability to arrange and sing all the vocals needed for background, Neo has been sought out and flow in to lend her vocals to a variety of genres; Country & Western, R&B, Jazz, Classical, Neo Soul, and Hip/Hop-Rap.
NeoSouljah is now working on her debut CD. Her main producers are Michael L Loyd [MLee Productions] and Ace Boogie [Nappy Groove Records], who together give her the core of her sound. Jazz/NeoSoul. Other contributors Brian O’Neal [KEM], Threefourteen [East Side Boys], Rob Hardt/The Candy Factory in Europe [Frank McCombs] and instrumentally Jazz great Jennifer Hartswick plus a host of other musicians complete the recipe for some real music. She is promising that this will not be another quick-fix, manufactured 78 minutes of looped ‘stir-fried crap’. And with titles like “Green Kool-Aid”, “Grown Folks Business”, and “Panties on the Stage (and Other Family Matters”), one can only guess… But one will never be disappointed.
NeoSouljah - "Old School" Live at CD Release Party, Brian O'Neal
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