Yahzarah

Dana Nicole Williams (born June 24, 1980) is an American singer, more commonly known by her stage name, Yahzarah or Purple St. James.

Yahzarah rose to fame when she became a back-up singer for Erykah Badu in 2000. In 2000, Yahzarah signed to Keo Music Records released her first album, Hear Me. In 2002, Yahzarah signed a recording contract with Three Keys Music and released her second album, Blackstar, in September 2003. The album featured the singles "Wishing", "Blackstar", and "One Day". In 2004, Yahzarah left Three Keys Music and join The Foreign Exchange. In 2008, she released her extended play, The Prelude.

In January 2010, Yahzarah released her single "Why Dontcha Call Me No More" followed by her third album, The Ballad of Purple St. James in May 2010.

Early life

Dana Williams was born and raised in Washington D.C.,. Yahzarah started singing at the age of 7 in her church choir. Her love for music began after winning a local youth talent search at the Kennedy Center at the age of 10. After years of honing her talent in churches, talent shows, and local concerts, she entered high school at Washington D.C.'s Duke Ellington School of the Arts. After graduating in 1997, she attended North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina, where she received a full scholarship in the school's jazz program.^[1]

Musical career

1999-2000: Hear Me

In 1999, Williams recorded a few songs and toured with her band "Dirty Sol". In 2000, Yahzarah received her break into the recording industry by singing back-up vocals for Erykah Badu. Yahzarah also appeared in Badu's Bag Lady music video. Later in 2000, Yahzarah toured with Erykah Badu as the opening act for Badu's "Mama's Gun Tour".

In 2000, Yahzarah signed to Keo Music Records and began recording her first album. In early 2001, Yahzarah released her first single "Feel Me". In 2001, Yahzarah released her first album, Hear Me.^[2] The album also spawned the singles "Love Is You" and "Natural".

2002-2004: Blackstar

In 2002, Yahzarah signed a recording contract with Three Keys Music and began recording sessions for her second album. In August 2003, Yahzarah released "Wishing" as the lead single for her second album. In September 2003, Yahzarah released her second album, Blackstar, and began her "Blackstar Tour". Later that year, Yahzarah returned to her hometown Washington D.C. to perform at the Black Luv Festival. In November 2003, she released the title-track "Blackstar" as the second single. In 2004, she released "One Day" as the third single. Later that year, Yahzarah left Three Keys Music and signed to The Foreign Exchange Music.

2005-2009: The Prelude

In 2005, Yahzarah was featured on Foreign Exchange's Connected album. The song "Sincere" which featured long-time friend Phonte was chosen as the single for the album. In 2008, Yahzarah released an extended play, entitled "The Prelude". She toured with Chaka Khan, Musiq Soulchild, The Roots, and R. Kelly to promote her EP. Yahzarah later appeared the Little Brother album The Minstrel Show.^[3] Later that year, YahZarah was the featured artist opener on the Anthony Hamilton "Playing it Cool Tour" which was featured at the House of Blues. She is also featured the album Leave It All Behind by The Foreign Exchange.

In 2009, Yahzarah was elected to the "Board of Governors" for the Washington D.C. Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) and still currently holds that post. Later that year, Yahzarah performed at the invitation of the Republic of Italy for the inauguration of Barack Obama.

2009-2011: Purple St. James

In 2009, Yahzarah began recording sessions for her third album previously title, Introducing Purple St. James, later re-titled The Ballad of Purple St. James. In mid-2009, Yahzarah announced the album title "Introducing Purple St. James" along with the expected release date in the fall of 2009, which was later pushed back to May 2010. She continued to promote her upcoming album by touring. In July 2009, she toured with Conya Doss, Sy Smith, and Maya Azucena where she hosted the Soulsista Tour where she also tributed to Michael Jackson. In late 2009, Yahzarah reunited with long-time friend "Natalie "The Floacist" Stewart" to perform "Butterflies" in tribute to Michael Jackson.

In January 2010, Yahzarah released her buzz single "The Tickler". In March 2010, Yahzarah released the lead single "Why Dontcha Call Me No More". In May 2010, she released her third album, The Ballad of Purple St. James. A music video for her single "Why Dontcha Call Me No More" was released May 19, 2010. In mid-2010, Yahzarah began the "Love vs Lust Tour" along with The Foreign Exchange. In September 2010, Yahzarah released the second single "Cry Over You" along a music video. On September 18, 2010, Yahzarah announced that she will be touring with The Roots and Q-Tip on the 2010 Hennesy Artistry Tour.^[4]

In July 2011, Yahzarah released the video for her single "Love Come Save the Day". In December 2011, Yahazarh re-appeared on FoxDC News to perform the single. On December 18, 2011, she released a Christmas single, "What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas".

Style

Vocal ability

Aside from her various hits, Williams is noted for her ability to sing in the whistle register. She possesses a five-octave vocal range. She has the ability to proceed into the whistle tone without having to build a momentum. She has also been credited for her ability to substain notes in the sixth and seventh octave for long periods of time, as in "Love Come Save the Day", "Baby", "My Funny Valentine", "Something Special", and the Minnie Riperton song "Perfect Angel".

Influences

Williams has been influenced by singers such as Prince, Stevie Wonder, and Erykah Badu. Although Yahzarah has done many R&B influenced songs, her primary musical style is heavily influenced by elements of electronic soul Jazz and Rock music. Williams has also influenced musical artists such as Sy Smith, The Floacist, and other well-known singers.

Personal life

On July 28, 2011, Williams gave birth to her first son, Miles. He weighed 6 lbs and 5 ounces.^{[citation needed]}

Discography

Albums

• Hear Me (2001)
• Blackstar (2003)
• The Ballad of Purple St. James (2010)

Tours

• Yahzarah & Dirty Soul Tour (1999)
• Mama's Gun Tour (opening act for Erykah Badu) (2000)
• Blackstar Tour (2003)
• Playing It Cool Tour (opening act for Anthony Hamilton) (2008)
• Soul Sista Tour (2009)
• Love-vs-Lust Tour (2010)
• The Foreign Exchange Tour (2010)
• The Hennesy Artistry Tour (2010)
• Tribute to Prince Tour (2011)
• Tribute to the Beatles Tour (2012)

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• Official website
• Yahzarah's Official Myspace Page