Talented singer-songwriter Eshe has been dominating the music industry since the early ’90s. You may recognize her from the Grammy Award-winning hip-hop group Arrested Development. Their conscious lyrical storytelling left a lasting impression on the music industry. Since leaving the group to pursue a solo career, Eshe has been working in artist development and management along with working on her next album, which is set to be released this year. In addition to her music career, she mentors young people with dance lessons through her ministry, Spiritual Feet. “Giving back to young people is so important to me, because I didn’t have that when I was growing up,” she says
Rolling out spoke with Eshe to talk more about her philanthropy, the importance of women’s health and losing loved ones to breast cancer.
Here are the highlights below:
What have you been focusing on since leaving the group Arrested Development?
I have been doing a lot since I left the group. I left in February 2012. I had been a part of the group since I was 13 years old. Since then, I have been writing songs for other artists like Angie Stone and I have been working on my own stuff. I did a song with Omari Hardwick, but you may know him as Ghost on “POWER.” I also have new album coming out very soon.
Do you do any mentoring in the industry?
Yes. I teach dance and also have a dance ministry called Spiritual Feet opened for 14 years. I do artist development and artist management. I love mentoring and just helping young talent. I even enjoy helping some who have been in the industry for a long time. I appreciate connecting with good people. I am all about positivity. I have been doing a lot of speaking engagements lately and panel discussions. I feel truly blessed to do everything I love.
How would aspiring or seasoned artists reach you?
I am easy to get in touch with. My website is www.esheafrosoul.com and I am also on Twitter, Instagram, reverbnation and Facebook. All of my social media links are on my website for those that are interested.
How does social media help your brand?
I think social media is a blessing and a curse. I think it’s beautiful because you can reach so many people at one time and you can spread a great message, but sometimes it can be really bad went certain unwanted information gets out. Everybody knows gossip spreads like a wildfire on social media. It has been really cool for me, because I have met so many people across the globe and fans I have in Japan and Europe. I get to keep in contact with them and communicate with them via the internet. I do answer all of my messages. I don’t really like other people handling my social media sites, because I am very personable. I like to be hands-on with my fans. I actually met Lisa with Be Amped via social media.
How did you get involved with Be Amped?
Lisa reached out to me two years ago. She asked me to be involved and I was super excited, because I have had personal experiences with breast cancer. My dear friend, who worked in public relations, passed away. She was Arrested Development’s publicist. I remember getting a call from her telling me she had received a breast exam, because she felt a lump in her breast. She later told me she had breast cancer and I couldn’t believe it. We did a fundraiser for her and just a few months after she was no longer here. The group’s very first road manager had died from brain cancer and it spread all over her body. It hits home when you know people who are going through it personally. I praise God that I was able to talk to both of them before they transitioned and gave them their flowers while they were here.
Have you had a mammogram?
I got my mammogram for the first time this year. I heard all these stories about it being painful, but once it was over I realized it wasn’t all that bad. I just want to encourage all of the women out here to please go get a mammogram and get checked. Make sure to do self-exams. If you are proactive and you find out in the early stages, you can do something about it. There are so many herbs, cleanses and detoxes that can help us. Treat your body from the inside out with the best care possible.
