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Lady in red
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R ’n’ B singer Janet Gabriel says her songs are part of the evolution of African-American music
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Photo: Murali Kumar K.
RED HOT Janet Gabriel
Janet Gabriel looks like she is on fire with her red lipstick, red nail polish and red outfit. But her scarlet red demeanour seems to sing this singer’s song of fiery, hot passion for rhythm and blues. And her album “The Fire Within”
; burns with her fast, racy lyrics talking of “life, love, empowerment and day-to-day living”.
This Nigerian singer with a smoky voice was born in Hackney, London and returned to Nigeria when she was ten years old where she completed her education. The pharmacist started singing when since she was eight at the Methodist Church. She came back to England in 1997, after winning the Miss Nigeria title in 1993.
It has been a decade since Janet has been doing back-up vocals and session work with the Ministry of Sound and a West End play among others. Two years ago she wrote self-compositions for her album “The Fire Within”, with her six-member band Neophonics, which she says she largely promoted online.
India visit
“It was my Indian friends who persuaded me to come to India”, says Janet who “came on a bit of a holiday, tried her hands in networking and then see what the music scene is all about.” The 34-year-old singer is on her way to Delhi, Cochin, Goa and Hyderabad. “I am open to whatever happens and I don’t know why I didn’t come here earlier.” “I am in control of what I do. If people want me to sing a certain way, I won’t do that. I express myself best singing blues for the moment.” She says she admires Aretha Franklin who for her is the “queen of soul”. Apart from her, she looks up to Whitney Houston and Ray Charles who are “pioneers in their own fields”.
She says her music which imbibes electronic and popular sounds and remixes, is part of the ongoing evolution of African-American music which she is proud to be part of.
Janet notes, “The live music scene which was down earlier is now reviving. People want to experience the live artist as apart from the record artist. You need to connect to your fans and they want to see you just as you are.”
About her struggles in the music industry, the singer says she has been blessed. “People have helped me throughout whether it was with free venue or equipment. There were hard times, I kept going and now when I look back, my persistence makes it all worth it.”
When it comes to image-making in the music industry, Janet says, “I don’t have a problem with it, but if the packaging is great and there is nothing to the actual content, then it’s not done.”
Janet also responds to the violent, vulgar and gaudy hip-hop videos that seem to pervade in the music-video scenes these days. “I don’t agree that violence should be glamourised or celebrated in any way. If you want to talk about it, then artists should use alternative ways to voice their discontent.” She continues, “There is more to life than sex, money and drugs.” She urges her fellow musicians to show some creativity, and be more realistic, positive and inspiring, while still having a bit of fun.” For more information on the artist, visit www.janetgabriel.co.uk
AYESHA MATTHAN
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