Yahzarah realized that music is a powerful tool that has the ability to change minds and influence possibilities at an early age. She sang in the church as a child and had performed at Kennedy Center by the age of 10. Yahzarah honed her skills and as a teenager and eventually toured with Erykah Badu before embarking on a solo career. With the recent release of her new album, The Ballad of Purple St. James, Yahzarah believes that she has finally presented her music to the world in a manner that fully represents her thoughts and emotions. She discusses her new album and learning from soul singer Erykah Badu.
–amir shaw
You have sung professionally for 10 years. What makes The Ballad of Purple St. James album stand out from your previous work?
It’s my first real introduction of myself to my fans because I was dealing with other people and I still had to deal with their interpretation of who I am. Someone else was footing the bill and they had an idea of what my sound was supposed to be like. … The Ballad of Purple St. James is the story of my life in 13 movements.
How did you end up working with Erykah Badu prior to your solo career?
I hooked up with a guy named B.G. Young who went to the Dallas School of Art with Erykah. When he graduated, he ended up singing background for her and she later wanted to move him into the role of music director. She needed another singer, so I took what little money I had and got enough to get on a one-way fight to Dallas. I ended up staying with her for seven years and I was able to arrange on her album Mama’s Gun.
What did you learn from being around Erykah Badu?
I was able to really have an opportunity to watch somebody evolve at their own pace and do what they want and not care what people thought. Erykah teaches you to be authentic. I was 18 when I first got on the Erykah Badu tour so there were plenty of people there who loved my talent and I learned a lot from them. I had a rich opportunity to gather many experiences and take in all of that energy.
Yazarah will perform at The Loft in Atlanta on Sept. 17 and SOB’s in New York on Oct. 14.
