N'dambi is a graceful fusion of funk, soul, pop, rock, and blues, all laced with melodies of jazz. Her voice is one that most definitely stands out from the rest that many of times reminds me of one of her biggest inspirations: Nina Simone, especially after listening to “Ode 2 Nina” on her album “Tunin Up & Cosignin”. She carries a stature that embraces natural beauty, her love of womanhood, and her insightful look into life. Born in Dallas, Texas, she was raised by two reverends who were not too particular on her “secular” interests of her music. "I got busted, once, for singing [millie jackson's] "(if loving you is wrong) I don't want to be right" really loud, in the bathroom," recalls N'dambi, "my mom said that kind of music was worldly music, and it wouldn't save me, but I felt that life was all-encompassing and you shouldn't listen to just one genre of music and limit yourself to one vision." -divastation.com. It was not until later in her life that she changed her name to N'dambi, which is West African for “Most Beautiful”, a name that truly fits the circle of beauty in which she carries so strongly!
You may remember her as the background singer with the full and luscious afro for Erykah Badu. Throughout their friendship, they vowed to each other that the first to make their big break would help the other, and sure enough Erykah Badu was set to release her first album, and in keeping with their promise, Erykah recruited N'dambi to perform back-up vocals for her. However, N'dambi has stepped up from behind, and she made her grand entrance to the music world with her first album entitled “Little Lost Girl Blues”. This album encompasses the range of her voice and style through strong vocals, spices of jazz, funky energy, and highly inspiring words...a true classic for your collection. She is a singer, writer, pianist, and musician, and every album that she releases is fresh, inspiring, fun, and artistically composed, which is why we know that her upcoming album is sure to be filled with all of this and more.
It's no doubt that N'dambi is a true Artist that is not afraid to expand her horizons of what good music sounds like, and she exemplifies to us what a strong Nubian woman should be all about. She takes a few moments to chat with us about her inspirations, beauty, and life:
ymib: What do you think(or what would you like for) that Nina Simone would say about your music if she were here today, and what is it about Nina Simone that inspires you so much?
N'dambi: If Nina Simone was alive today and she had the opportunity to hear my music, she'd probably raise one eyebrow and wonder what my intentions were. And I mean that with the utmost respect. I think she would say "Girl, you just have to keep that bite cause when you stop, the world gets in the way". I believe Miss Nina to be a pioneer in her creative expression. I believe I heard it someplace that Nina Simone was a rock star. That I believe to be true. When you think of it, rock seems to be the embodiment of rebellion and taking a musical stand. Her music did that. She had presence and the resonance of her voice articulated so much soul and expression. Sometimes it could be pretty and ugly at the same time. This is what influences me the most about this woman-her ability to touch one in places that are much deeper than the surface.
N'dambi: My purpose in life is to use my gift to affect others in ways that will move them to action. I am a singer who has been given the gift of writing. In its totality, I am a modern day missionary.
ymib: In your opinion, what do you think is one of the most biggest battles that women of color are faced with today?
N'dambi: One of the biggest battles that women of color still face is existing on the lowest ring of society's ranking system. While we constantly make strides to move ahead by being entrepreneurs, leaders, teachers, philanthropists, artists, doctors, lawyers, ministers, etc, our efforts sometimes go overlooked and undervalued as a whole.
N'dambi: When I changed my name to N'dambi, I was on the path to self-discovery. The name was in celebration of a history and culture that I could not readily access or trace directly. I am still all that my mother named me and that will not change. Nonetheless, there was this sense of urgency to have some connection to a root denied me by a set of circumstances I didn't choose. The sense of urgency has never left. So in honor and in respect of Africa, I have taken on the name N'dambi.
ymib: What is your favorite affirmation or inspirational quote?
N'dambi: I like any affirming or inspirational word that conveys persistence, patience and the notion that anything worth having takes hard work.
ymib: What are some of your current/future projects that you are working on or that you would like to achieve?
N'dambi: Current projects I am working on involve self-development. I believe constantly growing is living and when I am not challenging myself, life can become too routine. With that, I am always trying to stretch myself. I can get lazy and it helps that my manager challenges my position by constantly asking me what can I do now with what I have to work with. I read more challenging books, I train with challenging workouts, and I am putting my hand deeper into the production of music. In the future, I'd like to go back top school and get my Masters. I'd also like to write a novel. I would like to diversify in other ways by exploring all possibilities that are realistic for me to explore in entertainment. Also, I'd like to start some business venture that has nothing to do with this business as well. I would also like to one day open a music school in West Dallas for kids between the ages of 5-18...something government based that will help to fulfill the music need that public schools have been downsized to no longer accommodate.
N'dambi: I have so many wonderful memories until it's hard to say what really sticks out. But for arguments sake, I remember the first television appearance I made. It was surreal and after it happened, it felt so as if, like " is that all? Why was I so nervous?"
ymib: If you could ask a woman from the past a question, who would it be, and what question would you ask them?
N'dambi: I'd probably want to ask Nina Simone a question. I would want to know what made her feel so misunderstood and at some point, a kind of fear of the audience she worked inadvertently to get (the United States)...
ymib: Other than singing, what are 5 things that you do to express your creativity?
N'dambi: To express myself creatively, I journal, I make cards (for birthdays), I cook and bake, I like to make collages, interior decorate.
ymib: What products do you use on your hair, and how do you keep your natural healthy?
N'dambi: For my hair, I tend to use Organic Roots Stimulator products. I use their shampoo, conditioner and moisturizer. I still use infusium leave in conditioner. Since I braid my hair on the regular, I tend to use a lite formula super gro hair oil and last but not least, I sleep in a du-rag. It's not cute but it gets the job done.
N'dambi: Currently, I don't have a particular boutique I shop in. I do like vintage pieces and I like a bit of whimsy. I tend to look more in fashion mags to see what's out there. Also, I try to keep my body type in mind. Those things help me to determine what pieces are must haves and what others are not. But really, I shop for shoes first and work my way to clothes. Now, I'm trying to put more clothes in the wardrobe (lol).
Listen to N'dambi now on ymib radio: Positive Soul!
Visit N'dambi at: ndambionline.com or myspace.com/ndambi
