What Sounds Good Wednesday Special #2: Yahzarah (Purple St. James) (Soul)

What Sounds Good Wednesday:

Yahzarah (Soul)

I rarely miss a beat or a 16th note when it comes to underground music or the goodies that the kiddies always seem to pass up, but I somehow missed this "BlackStar" when she first hit the scene.


None other than Yahzarah, also known as Purple St. James. Who is she? Where did she start? Let's jump back in time to one of my favorite albums; "Mama's Gun" by Erykah Badu.


(Catch Yahz in the yellow)

Yahzarah pops on the scene doing backgrounds. Hailing from the Washington DC area born Dana Williams. Yahzarah loosely translates to "Queen Mother [who] is the brightest star". She gives herself this stage name as a tribute to her deceased grandmother. (Allow me to take a minute to thank the Google Search Engines for that tidbit of information.)


When she comes to the forefront, she storms the scene. She releases her first independent project; "Hear Me", which include songs like "Roof Top", "Fire Fly", and "Nova" in 2001. Yahzarah hits us again in 2003 with another independent release entitled; "BlackStar". But, Yahz's "The Prelude" is the project that introduced me to her and caught my attention.

The project opens with "Four Alarm Fire". (Listen here) This song sets the album off the right way; with proper exposure to Yahzarah's impressive range. Specifying favorites on this album would be futile, I love everything on it. But, the song that holds a special place in my heart is none other than; "Where I Is". (Listen here)

I strongly suggest (aka subliminally forcing) you get into this amazing woman now (aka yesterday). Stay tuned to get a glimpse of what Yahzarah has been working on. Be sure to get the information from the horses mouth by following Yahzarah on Twitter and Facebook. Until the NEXT time, enjoy Yahzarah's tribute to MJ.


Yahzarah singing "Billie Jean" at the Soul Sista Serenade 06-28-09 (Birchmere, VA)