Iyeoka

Ииока Иви Окоаво (Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo) - американская поэтесса, певица, музыкант, фармацевт и действующая активистка фонда TED Global. Ииока Окоаво - дочь нигерийских иммигрантов (оба родителя - доктора наук, преподаватели Бостонского университета). Начала свою музыкальную карьеру, основав группу «The Rock by Funk Tribe», что позволило ей переплетать свои стихи с музыкой в стиле jazz, blues, funk и gospel. Свой первый сольный альбом из стихотворений и песен под названием «Black and Blues» Ииока выпустила в 2004 году на лейбле Phanai Records. В 2007 году певица записала свой второй альбом в стиле фьюжн-поэзия - «Hum Bass Line». В 2008 году вышел её концертный альбом, записанный в Гонолулу (на Гавайях). В ноябре 2010 года Ииока Окоаво выпустила свой третий альбом - «Say Yes», состоящий из девяти песен и двух стихотворений. «Say Yes» стал более попсовым и более музыкальным диском, нежели предыдущие. Новое звучание представляет из себя смесь стилей R&B, Hip hop, Dance и Electronic Soul. ==================================================================================== Iyeoka Okoawo (pronounced ee-yo-kah) is a Nigerian/American poet, recording artist, singer, activist, educator and TEDGlobal Fellow. Her music includes elements from soul, R&B, rock, hip hop, and jazz. A first-generation Nigerian-American, Iyeoka was a practicing pharmacist before launching her musical career. Iyeoka began her musical career by founding the group The Rock by Funk Tribe, a collective of musicians that enabled her to interweave her poetry with jazz, blues, funk, and gospel. She released her first solo full length album of poem-songs called “Black and Blues” in 2004 through Phanai Records and then began to tour and make numerous appearances on other artist’s albums, including The Press Project’s “Get Right” album and “Memoirs of the Tempo” by Tempo Valley. In 2008, Iyeoka released her second album of poetry and music fusion “Hum The Bass Line” again on Phanai Records. That same year, Iyeoka lent her vocal talent to a cover of U2′s hit song “Desire” for a compilation of U2 covers called “In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2.” The album featured Grammy Award-winning/nominated African artists including Angelique Kidjo, Les Nubians, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Vieux Farka Tour, Vusi Mahlasela and the Soweto Gospel Choir with proceeds benefiting the Global Fund. In 2009, Iyeoka decided to transform her sound and songwriting approach and began working with producer David Franz (in collaboration with her original producer, Francis Phan) to create more traditional song forms. Iyeoka released two EPs that year called “This Time Around” and “Run Into the Rain.” The new music infused more pop, R&B, dance, and hip hop into the mix, creating an “electronic soul” sound. In November 2010, Iyeoka released her new album, SAY YES, containing nine songs and two poems, through the Underground Sun artist development company. It is the first “Evolving Album(tm)” where purchasers will receive added content for free as the album evolves. Before the album’s release, the first song “The Yellow Brick Road Song” was featured in an episode of the new hit HBO series “How To Make It In America.” "The Yellow Brick Road Song" is being used as the theme song for the series "Fairly Legal" that premiered January 20, 2011 on USA Network. In the past, Iyeoka has toured in support of artists such as Femi Kuti, Zap Mama and Soulive, as well as played musical festivals like Bonnaroo. The buzz surrounding her poetry has also garnered her national attention through performances at the TBS Trumpet Awards, the Sullivan Honors Awards at the Kennedy Center and Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam on HBO. Official website