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| Miss MouthPeace, Lyrics 4 the Soul |
| by Marichal J. Brown |
| I’ve performed with Jaguar Wright, Bilal, Chico Debarge, Martin Luther and Ledisi just to name a few |
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| date posted 12/1/2009 5:28:03 PM |
| In the 1980's, Sacramento has produced some of the nations top R&B acts and producers, including Robert Brookins (R.I.P.), Derrick (D.O.A.) Allen and Jay King (Club Nouveau). Now comes along a dynamic and soulful singer, Miss MouthPeace, with the style and class of todays top Neo-Soul performers. Miss MouthPeace takes a moment out of her busy schedule to sit down and speak about life, love and music. |
| Q: How did the name, MouthPeace, come about? |
| A: I was in Okawana, Japan and I was getting ready to start a Spoken Word venue. There was a young lady at another venue where I was performing at and she came up to me after the show and said, “You really don’t understand what you did for me tonight, I was going to kill myself. Your poetry changed my mind; you are such a mouth piece.” As I tried to figure out what my performance name would be, it was confirmed in spirit that MouthPeace would be my name. |
| Q: You started in Spoken Word, what made you want to become a singer? |
| A: When I started writing, I would write from personal experiences that I was going through. I’ve always been a singer since I was a kid. I would sing in church and groups. I was in a gospel group called “Voices,” while I was in Japan. It took me to step outside the walls of church to find my voice. That’s when I realized that writing poetry and songs were the same thing. Poems and lyrics are the same thing and I just put the poetry to a beat. I would start by just writing thoughts down and I would feel inadequate because I didn’t write like Mya Angelou or Betty Wright. I just learned how to find my own voice and write about my experiences. |
| Q: Who are some of your inspirations? |
| A: One of my greatest inspirations is Betty Wright, gospel singer Daryl Coley, Ella Fitzgerald, and when it comes to Hip Hop, Black Thought and ?uest Love from the Roots. They all piggyback to the art of spoken word, the underground and having substance in your lyrics. I always wanted to give that feeling that after people heard my songs, it would make them want to change their lives. |
| Q: Can you tell me about the freshmen CD you released? |
| A: My freshmen album is called, “Lyrics 4 the Soul.” People can go to Myspace www.myspace.com/mouthpeacesoullyrics to purchase the album. Also hit me up on facebook.com/mouthpeace. |
| Q: Are you working on any new material? |
| A: I am recording as we speak. I have a new single that is being played on V101 called, “Compatible Rush.” I also have a song called “Color of Love.” |
| Q: Can you name some of the artists that you have performed with? |
| A: I’ve performed with Jaguar Wright, Bilal, Chico Debarge, Martin Luther and Ledisi just to name a few. It’s an honor for me to have the opportunity to share the stage with these talented artists. |
| Q: What statement does your music make? |
| A: Reparation, because in spite of whatever you go through, you can still love again, you can still make it and be whatever you want to be. Everything that I write, there is a message of self love, loving yourself, loving your children, I am very family oriented. We as a people have gotten away from it. It’s about family and being true to yourself. Once you learn to love yourself, you can love everyone around you. |
| Q: What advice do you give to people that want to get into the music business? |
| A: From my experiences, learn the business. The talent is wonderful, but to not know is the thing that would hurt you the most. Educate yourself, read books and be around people that are going in the same direction. Always remember that you are unique and different and you don’t have to put yourself in a box. Be creative, think big and see yourself singing or performing in front of millions, even if you’re singing in front of two people. Visualize your goals and write them down. Network and then get out there, you can’t make it by just singing in the shower. |
| Q: You write a lot about love in your songs and poems. Is there any advice that you have for young ladies that are going through troubled relationships or that are trying to find themselves? |
| A: One of the greatest things that a young woman should do is look in the mirror and really see that she is beautiful. Even if she doesn’t feel beautiful and that nobody really understands her. She has to love herself or she’ll settle for anything. When you settle for anything, that is what you get. My message to any young lady experiencing love, if that person is not receptive to the love that you are putting out, that is a definite sign that the relationship is not your destination. You have to remove yourself or you’re going to become stagnated and you will become complacent. You will miss out on the gift that God has for you. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t down brothers, I uplift Kings. If a man can elevate and motivate you and you do the same for him that becomes a beautiful thing. |
| Q: What can we expect in the future from Miss MouthPeace? |
| A: I’m working on my second CD. |
| A: It’s untitled right now. I know it will have something to do with love. |
| Q: Are there any last words? |
| A: Nobody can stop your destiny but you, get our of your own way. |
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