Lovetta Pippen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lovetta Pippen is a singer best known as a member of Livonia, Michigan's His Name Is Alive (HNIA). She first appeared on the band's 1996 LP Stars on ESP as part of a gospel choir on the song "Last One."

During these recording sessions, Pippen and HNIA frontman Warren Defever struck up a friendship based upon their shared interest in UFOs and their mutual admiration of each other's talents. Deciding to leave her career as a gospel and soul singer, she next appeared on HNIA's 1997 Nice Day EP. On the 1998 album Ft. Lake, she was featured prominently on three tracks that introduced a new funk/soul/R&B sound to HNIA's repertoire.

After Ft. Lake failed to meet the commercial expectations of the new owners of 4AD, most of the band decided to pursue more stable interests, leaving HNIA pared down to Defever and Pippen. The duo continued on for two albums with a soul and R&B flavor (Someday My Blues Will Cover the Earth and Last Night) that proved unpopular with many of the band's fans. While critics generally gave positive reviews, the shift in sound was too much for those who saw HNIA as the torchbearers of the classic "4AD sound." A particular sore point was the absence of long-time vocalist Karin Oliver, who was a fan favorite.

On the other hand, some fans did appreciate Pippen's impressive vocal capabilities and Defever's ever-evolving and expanding talent as a songwriter, musician and producer.

After parting ways with 4AD and a long break from major HNIA releases, Defever recruited Andy FM to sing lead vocals for 2005's Raindrops Rainbow EP and 2006's Detrola. While Pippen did sing lead vocals on one song and backup on another on Detrola, she was not a part of the band's 2006 tour, and her future with the band is uncertain.