An advocate for healthy living, she has been the face of several public health campaigns, from the California Tobacco Control Program to AIDS Health Care Foundation’s ‘Rise Above’ campaign in the US and South Africa. She has worked with multiple prison reform efforts including Common’s Imagine Justice Organization, Represent Justice, and A New Way Of Life Foundation. Outside of music and entertainment, Goapele continues to build with communities and leaders to support the call for social justice. Most recently she executive produced and starred in the art-noir, experimental short film #WhereIsBeauty. She joined the likes of Gabriel Union and Alfre Woodard in Ava DuVernay’s fashion short film for Miu Miu. Her unique influence can be found in moments throughout R&B.Ī film and television mainstay, some of her other notable contributions have been in Honey, Power, Black Lightening, 90210 and more. That diversity comes naturally to the South African, German-Jewish, Oakland-born singer/songwriter, producer, activist, actress and designer. This delicate sonic shape-shifting is a technique she introduced on her now classic 2001 debut Closer, and has continued to evolve on the four albums that followed.

In another breath, she’s guiding her child with a sensitive understanding, hard-earned wisdom, and unconditional love. In one breath, Goapele is urging social change and boldly standing up for righteousness in the face of inequality.

Goapele closer album version