The Soothing Soul of Goapele: A Journey Through Wellness and Beyond

Boho Contemporary Glamour

The blazer is perfectly complemented by an exquisite, floorlength gown that effortlessly drapes over her figure, creating a sleek and refined look. Goapele's ensemble is the epitome of contemporary glamour, making her a true style icon.

Styled By: O’Chante Lafellé/ Ohstylez Bacon Magazine

Modern Meets Classic

Goapele exudes elegance and grace, adorned in a chic ensemble by Fashion Nova. She is wearing a sophisticated crop blazer, showcasing a modern twist on a classic silhouette.

Styled By: O’Chante Lafellé/ Ohstylez Bacon MagazineStyled By: O’Chante Lafellé/ Ohstylez Bacon Magazine

Photo Credit: Jerome A. Shaw

TheSoothingSoulof Goapele:AJourney ThroughWellness andBeyond

A DEEP DIVE INTO SELF-LOVE AND WELLNESS WITH AN R&B SENSATION WHO HAS CAPTURED HEARTS WITH HER HEALING MUSIC

WRITTEN BY ANDREA HARRIS-WALKER VOLUME 004

If you have ever embarked on a journey of self-love or sought music that uplifts your spirit, then you are undoubtedly familiar with the enchanting name of Goapele. With her iconic track "Closer," captivating smile, and powerful aura, we are all irresistibly drawn to the tender yet compelling influence that Goapele exudes

Familiar with her soulful voice, poignant lyrics, and radiant visage, it's time to recognize Goapele as not just an artist, but also a trailblazing entrepreneur who consistently stays ahead of the curve

Goapele, the sultry R&B singer-songwriter with a soothing voice and an innate gift for healing music, has been winning over fans since her debut in 2001 From her humble beginnings to her current status as an R&B powerhouse, Goapele's journey is a testament to her talent, determination, and passion for her craft. In this feature, we explore the remarkable path that has led Goapele to become the soulful sensation she is today

From Dreams to Reality

Goapele's pursuit of a career in music began when she attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. During her time there, she honed her skills in music theory, composition, and performance Upon returning to California, she decided to take matters into her own hands and co-founded Skyblaze Recordings, a family-run record label, to maintain creative control over her work

Her debut album, "Closer," was released in 2001 and received critical acclaim for its unique blend of R&B, soul, and jazz elements. The title track, "Closer," quickly became a fan favorite, showcasing Goapele's incredible vocal range and emotive songwriting abilities

Continued Success and Expansion

Over the years, Goapele has released multiple successful albums, each further solidifying her status as a mainstay in the R&B and Soul music scenes Some of her most notable works include "Change It All" (2005), "Break of Dawn" (2011), and "Dreamseeker" (2017) As her career progressed, she began collaborating with other prominent artists such as Snoop Dogg, E-40, and Eric Benét

Goapele's music has not only resonated with fans but also earned her a number of awards and accolades In 2011, she received the Key to the City of Oakland in recognition of her contributions to the community and the arts

The Healing Power of Goapele's Music

What sets Goapele apart from other artists is her ability to create music that transcends traditional genre boundaries and offers solace and healing to listeners. Her soulful, soothing voice and heartfelt lyrics resonate with fans who appreciate the authenticity and vulnerability she brings to her work

Goapele's music often addresses themes of love, empowerment, and social issues, reflecting her own experiences and convictions Through her songs, she encourages self-love, self-discovery, and a sense of unity, allowing her audience to connect with her on a deeper level

Styled By: O’Chante Lafellé/ Ohstylez Bacon Magazine

Photo Credit: Jerome A. Shaw

How do you define self-love, and why do you believe it is essential for one’s overall well-being?

I define self-love as knowing your worth Knowing you’re worthy of love and not having to seek approval and validation from those around you It’s important because it exudes it’s hard to get the love you want if you can’t show that to yourself or believe in that for yourself Knowing your self-worth is healthy; it gives a foundation for well-being It’s a process and a journey.

Can you share a pivotal moment when you realized the importance of self-love and how it impacted you?

If I can try to think of the last time where I noticed a shift in me accepting myself more, loving myself more, or trusting myself and my intuition more, I would say it has been over the pandemic It was such a stressful time and a time that there was no audience for me Even when I was doing shows, it was in the privacy of my home to camera, you know? There wasn’t a time to get validation from the outer world in a way that I was used to throughout my career It was just so deafeningly quiet in the world I just felt like me and all my thoughts were right here (in my face), and I had to start practicing meditation and deeply thinking about selfacceptance, rethinking purpose, and reimagining what my vision was I feel like doing that made me a lot stronger and clearer

What role does self-compassion play in the practice of self-love? What does that look like to you?

I love the concept of self-compassion, and I feel like a lot of people have been talking about giving ourselves grace right now, and I think it’s really important because I believe we can be our own worst critics. It’s hard to be your best self all the time, you know, none of us can achieve that,

I can’t achieve that by I’m trying to be my best self, and I want people to be compassionate towards me It’s one of the most important virtues, so I know that I have to be compassionate with myself and give myself a break sometimes. I think it has to do with forgiveness too

Are there any wellness trends you’re into right now?

I like the idea of getting off social media a while before I go to sleep, like, that can’t be the last thing or even emails I like unplugging, making the lighting a little lower, and self-care stuff like candle-lit baths Getting in my space, and consciously unwinding before going to sleep is helpful When I wake up in the morning, I think of a least 3 things I’m grateful foe before I start doing other stuff. This helps me kind of get in my zone

The timeless nature of your music, particularly your song Closer, has touched so many listeners, and offered them a sense of healing. How does it feel when countless people express that your music has changed their lives?

I love the idea that I can impact and touch peoples lives through my music because part of what I’m doing with my music is like therapy for me, and just getting to express myself But I always wanted to have a positive impact on the world and help people transform, and get to what they want in their lives It’s just so affirming when I run into someone and they say things like you’ve helped me get through this or that or get to the next phase It gives me hope to keep putting out music and share things that are really close to me

The music industry has evolved significantly throughout the years, how have you adapted to these changes while staying true to your authentic sound and voice?

Goapele took the opportunity to chat with Bacon Magazine, sharing insights into her personal journey of self-love and wellbeing, both throughout her illustrious career and amid the challenges presented by the pandemic.

Photo credit Jerome

A Magnetic Aura

Goapele completes the look with exquisite Kairu Jewelry earrings, adding sparkle and complementing the ensemble's sensuality. With a confident glow and magnetic aura, this memorable image highlights her unique style and the undeniable power of fashion.

Styled By: O’Chante Lafellé/ Ohstylez Bacon Magazine

Photo Credit: Jerome A. Shaw

Goapele Exudes Sophistication and Allure

Styled By: O’Chante Lafellé/ Ohstylez Bacon Magazine

Photo Credit: Jerome A. Shaw

Wearing an Atousa G Trench coat/pants Négligée Corset, her slender silhouette is accentuated while seamlessly blending styles. The outfit's earthy tones contrast her radiant skin, and the welltailored pants enhance her statuesque figure, showcasing the stylists attention to detail.

Goapele

I started out as an independent artist with my family, label Skyblaze and every project I’ve done, our label has been able to partner up with another label It’s been empowering to me because I felt like I could always have my authentic voice Things are always changing, and it is hard to navigate, I think some of the change is good Some of the things on social media give independent artist like myself a platform where we can be heard I think navigating through the business part is always hard, but expressing myself, and doing the creative part, that pretty much stayed the same

WHAT MAKES YOU DREAMSEEKER?

I’m always visioning the next thing, and whe to experience those b success I know there’s to I want and want to into fruition I feel li always dreaming, an always grateful, but I’m satisfied.

Are there any new collaborations our new music that we can be looking forward to this year or in the near future?

I’ve been working on a new album that’s going to come out at the beginning of the summer and I’m really excited to share what I’ve been going through the last couple years It’s been a minute since I had new music out, and this album is a multi -sensory experience. There’s even scents and colors that go with this songs. So I’m just excited for people to experience the whole vibe.

Do you have any encouraging words of wisdom for the black women in business or entertainment, or women in general who inspired to do what you do, or simply wake up and be great?

My advice to black women, all women, and entrepreneurs is just “it’s our time” Claim it, surround yourself with good people that believe in you and are going to push you to be your best Know that for a dream to manifest, sometimes, it takes a little longer than you think, but it’s our time, so let’s go

Photo Credit: Jerome A. Shaw

Photo Credit: Jerome A. Shaw

Photo Credit: Jerome A. Shaw

“Color My Heart” Candle Regular price $42.00

10oz Wild Rose, Peach & Peoni fragrance candle. Tone Series 01 Goapele songs included with purchase. This hand-poured candle has warm floral notes of love in Spring. Dreamseekers candles are lovingly made from natural extracts. Ecologically conscious, pesticide-free, and handpoured in Laguna Beach, CA.

Complimentary Tone Series 01 Song Pairings Free with Purchase

Photo Credit: Jerome A. Shaw

Photo Credit: Jerome A. Shaw

Styled By: O’Chante Lafellé/ Ohstylez Bacon Magazine

Photo Credit: Jerome A. Shaw

Dreamseeker

Garnet Silk Slip Dress: $239

100% Silk Charmeuse slip dress in garnet tone Silk face mask included Scannable QR code for sound pairing featured inside dress Purchase includes Tone Series 01 sound pairing with original Goapele songs "It's Complicated" and "Color My Heart"

Photo Credit: Jerome A. Shaw