R&Bay: Some New Goapele To Swoon To

Although Keyshia Cole may be the best known singer from Oakland at present, I feel that most of my folks tend to identify more with Goapele. A part of Keyshia is very Town, in its more hood incarnations, but I wouldn't say that her music really reflects Oakland. Her music is not bad by any stretch, its just that it's fairly standard commercial R&B. Goapele better captures the Bay's progressivism, unique flavor and subteranean soul. She also seems really down to earth and genuine. Sometimes I'm not in the mood for her, but when I'm cruising through the Town on the late night over the Holidays, Ima have her in the rotation for sure.

This joint "Don't Be Shy" is my one right now. I've fallen asleep to it for the last four nights and swayed to it religiously on the train. It's just so smooth and captivating. It seems so Bay too. Maybe it just seems like home. The idea of running into old crushes at little functions and enjoying the evening on some throwback ish. Apparently it was recorded during the Change It All sessions but didn't make the album. I truly don't know why.

"Don't Be Shy"- Goapele

This song "Chocolate" was commisioned by LG for their Chocolate phone. It is produced by AmpLive of Zion I and features a more up beat synth sound as a result. I likes it, but I'm feeling a little more melancholy and lowkey these days, so I'm goin with the sultry Shy joint. You can't go wrong with chocolate tho . . .

"Chocolate"- Goapele (prod by AmpLive)