Goapele Covers Diablo Magazine...

Goapele is on the cover of the San Francsico East Bay magazine "Diablo." The songtress discusses her new album Milk and Honey and new business ventures including a nightclub and clothing boutique. Here's a snippet:

Born in Oakland in 1977, Goapele (pronounced gwah-puh-LAY, which means “to go forward” in her grandmother’s Setswana dialect) is the daughter of an exiled South African political activist father and a New York–born Jewish mother. Her parents married in Kenya, then moved to the East Bay.

“Music and politics were integrated into my upbringing from a very young age. A lot of my family is from South Africa, and during my childhood, there was a rich South African community in the Bay Area,” she says. “There were lots of parties where people would break into singing a cappella or playing conga drums.”

Click here to see more pics and read the full article.

Heavy Metal

Goapele attending the Kelis and VH1 Soul Present: The Summer of Soul Party in August of this year.
Mya at Jessica Simpson's Album Release Party in New York City over the summer.Meagan Good seen early in the morning outside the National Night Club in Hollywood last year.

Admittedly this trend isn’t for me, but for you more open-minded fashionistas these metallic boots are a great alternative to the brown and black boots currently filling the shops. Follow in Goapele, Mya and Meagan’s footsteps and illuminate your outfit with a touch metal.

Goapele’s New Look!

Goapele attending the Heineken Red Star Soul event in Philadelphia last month.
Goapele Mohlabane and Lubob Azria at Max Azria's Spring 2007 Dinner And Cocktail party at Ten June Restaurant and Bar last month in New York City.

Goapele has decided to shake things up a little and do away with her infamous locs… She looks fantastic! I guess she’s lucky enough to be one of those women who could wear ANY hairstyle and still look fabulous. Work it!

Style on the Go...

Goapele after her performance at Central Park - gotta love her style!
Rochelle Aytes arriving at the Los Angeles premiere of 'Shadowboxer' - I want that belt!

A few weeks back I told you about Goapele's upcoming shows and her free concert in Central Park, well above are the pics from that appearance. She looks gorgeous as ever!... Rochelle Aytes is best known for her role in Madea's Family Reunion and White Chicks, but she's also had cameo appearances in CSI and Sex and the City! Both these women have a natural beauty and great style... I hope they each get the recognition they deserve!

Oh what a Fabulous Weekend!

VH1's Save The Music auction...Goapele and Lyfe Jennings - I love Goapele, she's stunning!
Ciara and Erika (?) - Ciara looks great these days!

Art for Life Benefit...
The Simmons Family are hosts for the night and little Aoki Lee Simmons gives Star Jones a 'suspect' glance
Julissa of BET and Aubrey from MTV's 'Making the Band' and her boyfriend
Julissa, Debra Lee and guest
Aaron Reid and his wife Erika leave the party

New York was the place to be over the weekend as two star studded events took place! The first was the 'Flaunt Your Flirt' auction which benefits VH1's Save the Music fund, held in the Hamptons. Celebrities spotted there included Ciara, Russell Simmons, Lyfe Jennings, Gayle King, Nicolette Sheriden and Goapele... The second event was the Art for Life dinner, hosted by soon to be divorced (?) couple Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons at their estate. The Art for Life - Seventh Heaven benefit supports the 'creative expression of NYC youth.' Star Jones, Tichina Arnold, Debra Lee, Julissa (from BET) and Gayle King were all in attendance... I miss New York!

Change is Good!

Goapele is so beautiful, love these pics of her!

Goapele's new album 'Change It All' is out in stores now and to promote it she's doing a few performances in 10 major cities. See below for more info, if you live in New York her concert there is free! By the way I haven't picked a copy of her new album yet so if anyone has heard it let me know what you think...

Upcoming Shows:
1. Jul 13 2006, 8:00PM @ The Social, Orlando, FL
2. Jul 14 2006, 8:00PM @ The Loft at Earthlink Live, Atlanta, GA
3. Jul 16 2006, 8:00PM @ The Bar Car, Nashville, TN
4. Jul 17 2006, 8:00PM @ Double Door, Chicago, IL
5. Jul 19 2006, 9:00PM @ Mod Club, Toronto, Canada
6. Jul 21 2006, 8:00PM @ Kanawha Plaza, Richmond, VA
7. Jul 22 2006, 8:00PM @ Artscape, Baltimore, MD
8. Jul 24 2006, 6:00PM @ Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
9. Jul 26 2006, 7:00PM @ Paradise Rock Club, Boston, MA
10. Jul 29 2006, 1:30PM @ Central Park Summerstage, New York, NY - This show is FREE!

Get it in Print!

Goapele is one of my ipod staples but her music is only half of the reason why I admire her; I also love her image... Here are three print skirts I found on www.shopbop.com which I think are very Goapele-esque! This site has loads of other cool stuff, it's a little pricey but you ladies out there who are working can handle it ;)

Left: Rebecca Taylor, Origami Skirt, $284.00
Middle: Lauren Moffatt, Printed Cotton Voile Skirt, $160.30
Right: Juicy Couture, Double Ruffle Voile Skirt, $278.00