I realized that saying no meant I could still have my music. I would have real turmoil in my career and I would be like, “I’m moving to an island and I’m really going to quit.” But eventually I just learned to say “no”. I realized I had to be me and there’s no shortcut around it. Not being myself has made me sick in the past, physically ill I had ulcers. I was always fighting to be the real artist that I am. Along the way, there were certain record companies that would say, “Okay, you can sound like ‘that’ – but you also have to do and look like ‘this’ and ‘this’.” That realization weighed heavy on my soul and I no longer wanted to be around that type of toxic energy. There were a lot of reasons I became frustrated, and as much as I fought for what I thought was right, I was also tired of hiding things to “go along.” For every one good person I would meet within the business, there were five people who didn’t have the best intentions. Life has taught me some hard lessons about being myself. Years ago you wanted to quit the business. I just know it took a long time to get to the person I am now. I’m always fighting to be seen as the “real” me. That doesn’t mean it’s not still hard some times. I’ve learned to love myself regardless of how others perceive me and live and love my own truth. I’ve learned to listen to myself in terms of what I want and need and not to be pressured by what others need or want from me.
Things don’t hurt me like they did then, but I don’t know if you can start out and not experience some of that pain. I’ve become more empowered as a person and as a woman in the music industry. Now, almost 20 years later, I’m more spiritually and emotionally grounded. It really affected me on a personal level. Maybe, “Don’t let the outer-world affect you so much.” There is a lot of disrespect and racism and sexism in the industry, and when I started out there was very little awareness about it. So I might say, “Don’t worry so much…you’ll get there.” India Arie: I’ve talked a lot about my favorite definition of the word “worthy” being “deserving of regard and respect.” When I look back now, my music industry journey has mirrored my own search for arriving at that realization. N’DIGO: If you could talk to the India Arie of 20 years ago, what would you tell her? What have you learned for sure? N’DIGO had the opportunity to chat with India recently and discussed her new project and her writing process. Her unique blend of uplifting messages and romantic overtures will have you spellbound! India will do her thing at The Venue at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana on May 24th. She’s currently touring North America in support of the album and bringing her brand of soul to cities big and small. Singer India Arie has released her new album Worthy and although we have an idea of what it will sound like thanks to the singles That Magic and What If?, we all know that India truly shines when she performs live.
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