YahZarah
Encyclopedia
Dana Nicole Williams is an American
singer. She is commonly known by her stage name, Yahzarah or Purple St. James.
Yahzarah rose to fame when she became a back-up singer for Erykah Badu
in 2000. In 2001, Yahzarah signed to Keo Music Records released her first album, Hear Me. In 2002, Yahzarah signed a recording contract with Three Keys Music and released her second album, Blackstar
, in September 2003. The album featured the singles "Wishing", "Blackstar", and "One Day". In 2004, Williams left Three Keys Music and joined the Foreign Exchange Music. In 2004, Yahzarah left Three Keys Music and join The Foreign Exchange. In 2008, she released her extended play, The Prelude.
In January 2010, Yahzarah released her single "Why Dontcha Call Me No More
" followed by her third album, The Ballad of Purple St. James
in May 2010.
. After graduating in 1997, she attended North Carolina Central University
in Durham, North Carolina, where she received a full scholarship in the school's jazz program.
. Yahzarah also appeared in Badu's Bag Lady
music video. Later in 2000, Yahzarah toured with Erykah Badu as the opening act for Badu's "Mama's Gun Tour".
In 2000, Yahzarah signed to Keo Music Records and began recording her first album. In early 2001, Yahzarah released her first single "Feel Me". In 2001, Yahzarah released her first album, Hear Me. The album also spawned the singles "Love Is You" and "Natural".
, and began her "Blackstar Tour". Later that year, Yahzarah returned to her hometown Washington D.C. to perform at the Black Luv Festival. In November 2003, she released the title-track "Blackstar" as the second single. In 2004, she released "One Day" as the third single. Later that year, Yahzarah left Three Keys Music and signed to The Foreign Exchange Music.
album. The song "Sincere" which featured long-time friend Phonte
was chosen as the single for the album. In 2008, Yahzarah released an extended play, entitled "The Prelude". She toured with Chaka Khan
, Musiq Soulchild, The Roots
, and R. Kelly
to promote her EP. Yahzarah later appeared the Little Brother album The Minstrel Show
. Later that year, YahZarah was the featured artist opener on the Anthony Hamilton "Playing it Cool Tour" which was featured at the House of Blues. She is also featured the album Leave It All Behind by The Foreign Exchange.
In 2009, Yahzarah was elected to the "Board of Governors" for the Washington D.C. Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and still currently holds that post. Later that year, Yahzarah performed at the invitation of the Republic of Italy for the inauguration of Barack Obama
.
. In mid-2009, Yahzarah announced the album title "Introducing Purple St. James" along with the expected release date in the fall of 2009, which was later pushed back to May 2010. She continued to promote her upcoming album by touring. In July 2009, she toured with Conya Doss
, Sy Smith
, and Maya Azucena where she hosted the Soulsista Tour where she also tributed to Michael Jackson
. In late 2009, Yahzarah reunited with long-time friend "Natalie "The Floacist" Stewart
" to perform "Butterflies
" in tribute to Michael Jackson.
In January 2010, Yahzarah released her buzz single "The Tickler". In March 2010, Yahzarah released the lead single "Why Dontcha Call Me No More
". In May 2010, she released her third album, The Ballad of Purple St. James
. A music video for her single "Why Dontcha Call Me No More
" was released May 19, 2010. In mid-2010, Yahzarah began the "Purple Saint James Tour" along with The Foreign Exchange. In September 2010, Yahzarah released the second single "Cry Over You" along a music video. On September 18, 2010, Yahzarah announced that she will be touring with The Roots
and Q-Tip on the 2010 Hennesy Artistry Tour.
with a whistle register
as demonstrated in her songs "Dedicated to You" (from The Ballad of Purple St. James
) and "Bury It" (from Blackstar
). Yahzarah is also noted for her ability to sing in the whistle register, displayed on tracks such as "Baby" (from Blackstar) and a rendition of "My Funny Valentine" on jazz pianist Marcus Johnson’s In Person - Live at Blues Alley.
, Stevie Wonder
, and Erykah Badu
. Although Yahzarah has done many R&B influenced songs, her primary musical style is heavily influenced by elements of electronic soul
and pop music
. Williams has also influenced musical artists such as Sy Smith
, The Floacist
, and other well-known singers.
singer Yahzarah.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer. She is commonly known by her stage name, Yahzarah or Purple St. James.
Yahzarah rose to fame when she became a back-up singer for Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu
Erica Abi Wright , better known by her stage name Erykah Badu , is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz. She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, and for her eccentric, cerebral musical...
in 2000. In 2001, Yahzarah signed to Keo Music Records released her first album, Hear Me. In 2002, Yahzarah signed a recording contract with Three Keys Music and released her second album, Blackstar
Blackstar (Yahzarah album)
Blackstar is the second album of American singer, Yahzarah. The album was released on September 23, 2003.-Recording:Yahzarah began the new recording sessions for the album in 2002. She worked with musical producers Eric "88 Fingers" Parham, Chip Shearin, Eccentric, Sol Messiah, Kenisha Pratt, Madia...
, in September 2003. The album featured the singles "Wishing", "Blackstar", and "One Day". In 2004, Williams left Three Keys Music and joined the Foreign Exchange Music. In 2004, Yahzarah left Three Keys Music and join The Foreign Exchange. In 2008, she released her extended play, The Prelude.
In January 2010, Yahzarah released her single "Why Dontcha Call Me No More
Why Dontcha Call Me No More
Why Dontcha Call Me No More is a song by American singer Yahzarah. The song was released in March 2010 as the lead single for her third studio album, The Ballad of Purple St. James.-Writing and Recording:...
" followed by her third album, The Ballad of Purple St. James
The Ballad of Purple St. James
The Ballad of Purple St. James is the third studio album of American singer, Yahzarah. The album was released on May 4, 2010, on the recording label Foreign Exchange Music. This is Yahzarah's first album in seven years.- Recording :...
in May 2010.
Early life
Dana Williams was born and raised in Washington D.C.. Yahzarah started singing at the age of 7 in her church choir. Her love for music began after winning a local youth talent search at the Kennedy Center at the age of 10. After years of honing her talent in churches, talent shows, and local concerts, she entered high school at Washington D.C.'s Duke Ellington School of the ArtsDuke Ellington School of the Arts
The Duke Ellington School of the Arts is a high school located at 35th Street and R Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C., and dedicated to arts education. One of the high schools of the District of Columbia Public School system, it is named for the American jazz bandleader and composer Edward...
. After graduating in 1997, she attended North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University is a public historically black university in the University of North Carolina system, located in Durham, North Carolina, offering programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, professional and doctoral levels....
in Durham, North Carolina, where she received a full scholarship in the school's jazz program.
1999-2000: Hear Me
In 1999, Williams recorded a few songs and toured with her band "Dirty Sol". In 2000, Yahzarah received her break into the recording industry by singing back-up vocals for Erykah BaduErykah Badu
Erica Abi Wright , better known by her stage name Erykah Badu , is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz. She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, and for her eccentric, cerebral musical...
. Yahzarah also appeared in Badu's Bag Lady
Bag Lady
"Bag Lady" is the first single from singer Erykah Badu's 2000 album Mama's Gun. The song is about a woman trying to begin anew in a relationship, but who has too much emotional "baggage" and can't get close to people. The message of the song is to "pack light" and have hope for the future...
music video. Later in 2000, Yahzarah toured with Erykah Badu as the opening act for Badu's "Mama's Gun Tour".
In 2000, Yahzarah signed to Keo Music Records and began recording her first album. In early 2001, Yahzarah released her first single "Feel Me". In 2001, Yahzarah released her first album, Hear Me. The album also spawned the singles "Love Is You" and "Natural".
2002-2004: Blackstar
In 2002, Yahzarah signed a recording contract with Three Keys Music and began recording sessions for her second album. In August 2003, Yahzarah released "Wishing" as the lead single for her second album. In September 2003, Yahzarah released her second album, BlackstarBlackstar (Yahzarah album)
Blackstar is the second album of American singer, Yahzarah. The album was released on September 23, 2003.-Recording:Yahzarah began the new recording sessions for the album in 2002. She worked with musical producers Eric "88 Fingers" Parham, Chip Shearin, Eccentric, Sol Messiah, Kenisha Pratt, Madia...
, and began her "Blackstar Tour". Later that year, Yahzarah returned to her hometown Washington D.C. to perform at the Black Luv Festival. In November 2003, she released the title-track "Blackstar" as the second single. In 2004, she released "One Day" as the third single. Later that year, Yahzarah left Three Keys Music and signed to The Foreign Exchange Music.
2005-2009: The Prelude
In 2005, Yahzarah was featured on Foreign Exchange's ConnectedConnected (Foreign Exchange album)
Connected is the debut album by The Foreign Exchange, a hip hop group consisting of American rapper Phonte from Little Brother and Dutch producer Nicolay...
album. The song "Sincere" which featured long-time friend Phonte
Phonte
Phonte Coleman, better known as Phonte, is a Grammy nominated American rapper, formerly of the now defunct North Carolina trio Little Brother and one-half of the duo The Foreign Exchange. He has also recorded R&B-flavored output as a singer...
was chosen as the single for the album. In 2008, Yahzarah released an extended play, entitled "The Prelude". She toured with Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
, Musiq Soulchild, The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
, and R. Kelly
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
to promote her EP. Yahzarah later appeared the Little Brother album The Minstrel Show
The Minstrel Show
The Minstrel Show is the second studio album by hip hop trio, Little Brother. It followed the critical success of their 2003 debut, The Listening. The album was highly anticipated and touted as a probable breakthrough for the group, even before its release...
. Later that year, YahZarah was the featured artist opener on the Anthony Hamilton "Playing it Cool Tour" which was featured at the House of Blues. She is also featured the album Leave It All Behind by The Foreign Exchange.
In 2009, Yahzarah was elected to the "Board of Governors" for the Washington D.C. Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and still currently holds that post. Later that year, Yahzarah performed at the invitation of the Republic of Italy for the inauguration of Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
.
2009-present: Purple St. James
In 2009, Yahzarah began recording sessions for her third album previously title, Introducing Purple St. James, later re-titled The Ballad of Purple St. JamesThe Ballad of Purple St. James
The Ballad of Purple St. James is the third studio album of American singer, Yahzarah. The album was released on May 4, 2010, on the recording label Foreign Exchange Music. This is Yahzarah's first album in seven years.- Recording :...
. In mid-2009, Yahzarah announced the album title "Introducing Purple St. James" along with the expected release date in the fall of 2009, which was later pushed back to May 2010. She continued to promote her upcoming album by touring. In July 2009, she toured with Conya Doss
Conya Doss
Conya Doss is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter and record producer. In 2001, Conya Doss started her own recording label Conya Doss Songs and began recording her first album. In 2002, Doss released her first singles "Good Good" and "Coffee" which were followed by the release of her album,...
, Sy Smith
Sy Smith
Sy Olivia Smith is an American Emmy nominated singer-songwriter. Born in New York, New York, Smith rose to fame in the late 1990s when she signed a recording contract with Hollywood Records. Smith released her first studio album Psykosoul in 2000, which spawned the singles "Gladly" and "Good N...
, and Maya Azucena where she hosted the Soulsista Tour where she also tributed to Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
. In late 2009, Yahzarah reunited with long-time friend "Natalie "The Floacist" Stewart
Floetry
Floetry was a British R&B duo comprising Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart . The group recorded two studio albums, one live album, and sold over 800,000 records worldwide. Formed in 1999, Floetry started on the performance poetry stage.In 2002, the duo released their first album entitled, Floetic...
" to perform "Butterflies
Floetic
Floetic is the debut album by the English neo soul duo Floetry, released by DreamWorks Records in the United States on 1 October 2002 and in the United Kingdom on 25 November 2002.-Background:Since moving to the U.S...
" in tribute to Michael Jackson.
In January 2010, Yahzarah released her buzz single "The Tickler". In March 2010, Yahzarah released the lead single "Why Dontcha Call Me No More
Why Dontcha Call Me No More
Why Dontcha Call Me No More is a song by American singer Yahzarah. The song was released in March 2010 as the lead single for her third studio album, The Ballad of Purple St. James.-Writing and Recording:...
". In May 2010, she released her third album, The Ballad of Purple St. James
The Ballad of Purple St. James
The Ballad of Purple St. James is the third studio album of American singer, Yahzarah. The album was released on May 4, 2010, on the recording label Foreign Exchange Music. This is Yahzarah's first album in seven years.- Recording :...
. A music video for her single "Why Dontcha Call Me No More
Why Dontcha Call Me No More
Why Dontcha Call Me No More is a song by American singer Yahzarah. The song was released in March 2010 as the lead single for her third studio album, The Ballad of Purple St. James.-Writing and Recording:...
" was released May 19, 2010. In mid-2010, Yahzarah began the "Purple Saint James Tour" along with The Foreign Exchange. In September 2010, Yahzarah released the second single "Cry Over You" along a music video. On September 18, 2010, Yahzarah announced that she will be touring with The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
and Q-Tip on the 2010 Hennesy Artistry Tour.
Vocals
Yahzarah is a high-pitched sopranoSoprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
with a whistle register
Whistle register
The whistle register is the highest register of the human voice, lying above the modal register and falsetto register...
as demonstrated in her songs "Dedicated to You" (from The Ballad of Purple St. James
The Ballad of Purple St. James
The Ballad of Purple St. James is the third studio album of American singer, Yahzarah. The album was released on May 4, 2010, on the recording label Foreign Exchange Music. This is Yahzarah's first album in seven years.- Recording :...
) and "Bury It" (from Blackstar
Blackstar (Yahzarah album)
Blackstar is the second album of American singer, Yahzarah. The album was released on September 23, 2003.-Recording:Yahzarah began the new recording sessions for the album in 2002. She worked with musical producers Eric "88 Fingers" Parham, Chip Shearin, Eccentric, Sol Messiah, Kenisha Pratt, Madia...
). Yahzarah is also noted for her ability to sing in the whistle register, displayed on tracks such as "Baby" (from Blackstar) and a rendition of "My Funny Valentine" on jazz pianist Marcus Johnson’s In Person - Live at Blues Alley.
Influences
Williams has been influenced by singers such as PrincePrince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
, Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, and Erykah Badu
Erykah Badu
Erica Abi Wright , better known by her stage name Erykah Badu , is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Her work includes elements from R&B, hip hop and jazz. She is best known for her role in the rise of the neo soul sub-genre, and for her eccentric, cerebral musical...
. Although Yahzarah has done many R&B influenced songs, her primary musical style is heavily influenced by elements of electronic soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
and pop music
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
. Williams has also influenced musical artists such as Sy Smith
Sy Smith
Sy Olivia Smith is an American Emmy nominated singer-songwriter. Born in New York, New York, Smith rose to fame in the late 1990s when she signed a recording contract with Hollywood Records. Smith released her first studio album Psykosoul in 2000, which spawned the singles "Gladly" and "Good N...
, The Floacist
Floetry
Floetry was a British R&B duo comprising Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart . The group recorded two studio albums, one live album, and sold over 800,000 records worldwide. Formed in 1999, Floetry started on the performance poetry stage.In 2002, the duo released their first album entitled, Floetic...
, and other well-known singers.
Personal life
On July 28, 2011, Williams gave birth to her first son, Miles. He weighed 6 lbs and 5 ounces.Discography
Albums- 2001: Hear Me
- 2003: BlackstarBlackstar (Yahzarah album)Blackstar is the second album of American singer, Yahzarah. The album was released on September 23, 2003.-Recording:Yahzarah began the new recording sessions for the album in 2002. She worked with musical producers Eric "88 Fingers" Parham, Chip Shearin, Eccentric, Sol Messiah, Kenisha Pratt, Madia...
- 2010: The Ballad of Purple St. JamesThe Ballad of Purple St. JamesThe Ballad of Purple St. James is the third studio album of American singer, Yahzarah. The album was released on May 4, 2010, on the recording label Foreign Exchange Music. This is Yahzarah's first album in seven years.- Recording :...
Tours
- 1999: Yahzarah & Dirty Soul Tour
- 2000: Mama's Gun Tour (opening act)
- 2003: Blackstar Tour
- 2008: Playing It Cool Tour (opening act)
- 2009: Soulsista Tour
- 2010: Love-vs-Lust
- 2010: Foreign Exchange Tour
- 2010: The Hennesy Artistry Tour
Awards and nominations
These are the awards and nominations received by American R&BRhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
singer Yahzarah.
| Year | Category | Nominated Work | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soultracks | |||||
| 2009 | Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | |||
| 2010 | Independent Album of the Year | "The Ballad of Purple St. James The Ballad of Purple St. James The Ballad of Purple St. James is the third studio album of American singer, Yahzarah. The album was released on May 4, 2010, on the recording label Foreign Exchange Music. This is Yahzarah's first album in seven years.- Recording :... " |
Nominated | ||
| 2010 | Song of the Year | "Why Dontcha Call Me No More Why Dontcha Call Me No More Why Dontcha Call Me No More is a song by American singer Yahzarah. The song was released in March 2010 as the lead single for her third studio album, The Ballad of Purple St. James.-Writing and Recording:... " |
Nominated | ||
| 2010 | Female Vocalist of the Year | Won | |||