Denver-born, Atlanta-based singer/songwriter India.Arie—named after Mahatma Gandhi's birthplace because her due date was his birthday—follows in the footsteps of the label's Erykah Badu with a breakthrough debut, "Acoustic Soul," that last week debuted in the Top 10, with more than 70k in sales.
India.Aire broke out of the Atlanta club circuit to play the Lilith Fair second stage in 1998 before being signed by Motown a year later.
Massenburg says the fact that India.Arie's album came after hits from Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott and Badu makes her retail bow "a tremendous success." The label's two-year set-up was a gamble, but according to the Motown chief, "If you don't take risks, you don't affect change. My niche has always been stuff that doesn't sound like anybody else—and then to market it from the grassroots on up. People want something fresh, but at the same time, familiar, and this album is filled with songs and hooks."
"It was very important for India.Arie to come across as a natural, girl-next-door type," he concludes. "She's not about the material, but the spiritual... Actually, our marketing research tell us it's all about the head-wrap."
MUSIC REVENUE TOPPED $17B IN 2023: RIAA
Streaming subscriptions lead the charge. (3/27a)
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THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
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