Soul ARTistry! (Yolonda Lavender)

Yolonda Lavender is an artist on Truth Tone Records. In April of 2010 she headlined at the "World Natural Hair, Health & Beauty Show" (The Largest Natural Hair show in the WORLD.) She has performed at the world renown Apache' Cafe, and just last month Yolonda opened up for Home School Records recording artist Vaughn Anthony (John Legend's artist and younger brother.) On February 5th, 2010 She will travel back to Atlanta as one of four finalists in the World's Next Top Natural Hair Model Contest check her and the other three contestants at: http://www.naturalhair.org/

When did you decide to really push your music?

"After joining Truth Tone Records in 2006. The way writing and recording makes me feel, it was like I had been looking for this feeling all along and I just didn't know it. God's timing is perfection and everything that has happened to me because of MUSIC is a result of that"

How would you describe yourself as an artist, and what you will contribute to the music community at large? 

"I present who I am, what I've been through and what I see around me in every lyric and every song. When I perform that's what I'm giving you, ME! I'm the kind of artist that's  comfortable, eccentric and all about soul. The soul inside me and the soulfulness of music."

What singles should the audience be looking out for to purchase, and where can they go to find the music? 

"My Man" "Favorite Key" and "I Want You Back" all available at http://www.cdbaby.com/yolonda12 


Define your musical background growing up...Who did you listen to?

"I starting singing in church at age 5, and pretty much only gospel was allowed in my house for a while. There were times I remember hearing Stevie Wonder though. My dad also liked old school Hip-Hop, so I remember learning "Rappers Delight" around age 9 or 10. Then in middle school I was allowed to listen to different genres of music, but I've always had a thing for Old School/Soul Music. James Brown, Parliament and Earth Wind and Fire were favorites of my father, so I was on them around 6th or 7th grade. In the 8th grade my life changed when I got the "Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" for Christmas. After that I remember listening to Erykah Badu, Shirley Murdock and Boyz to Men a lot while doing the dishes. From there I was hooked and my interest peaked to Jazz, Blues, Reggae, Big-Band and Soft Rock"

Can you highlight your creation process?

"My creation process is to just let myself, what I'm feeling or going through, what's happening around me, to just fall onto the page just as it's happened to me. I have found that people are able to relate and they appreciate being able to relate."

How does it feel to be surrounded by so much talent of the other artists within your personal connections with Truth Tone and beyond, vocalists, bands...etc?

"It's OVERWHELMING! Everyday I'm grateful to God for the blessings! I figure I must be doing something right if I can be in the same vicinity of all these talented individuals!"

What piece of advice would you give to an up and coming artist?

"Be YOU! Don't ever give that up for ANYTHING...Keep pushing through and never give up even when it seems impossible. Dream big and reach for the highest star because I'm a witness that the Lord will truly do exceedingly and abundantly above all you ask or think!"


*Yolonda will be preforming in Atlanta at the Fro Fashion week http://www.frofashionweek.com/ Feb 18th and at the Apache cafe http://www.apachecafe.info/ on Feb 20th*


Become a fan of Yolonda on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/YOLONDA-of-Truth-Tone-Records/369833285641?ref=ts
Follow Yolonda Lavender on twitter: @YOsSOULARTISTRY


Contributing editor: Jason Chapman