She absorbed musical skill early in life, encouraged by both parents: her mother, Joyce, herself a former singer, and now India Arie's stylist; and her father, former ABA and NBA basketball player Ralph Simpson (not former NBA star player Ralph Sampson, as has been mistakenly reported in some media). She had taken up a succession of musical instruments throughout her schooling in Denver, Colorado, but her interest in the guitar while attending the Savannah College of Art and Design led to a personal revelation about songwriting and performing. "When I started tapping into my own sensitivity, I started to understand people better. It was a direct result of writing songs," she said at the press release of her debut album, Acoustic Soul.
Co-founding the Atlanta-based independent music collective GroovmentEarthseed (Groovement was the collective artists' name and Earthshare was their independent label name), her one-song turn on a locally released compilation led to a second-stage gig at the Lilith Fair. Their Universal Records/Motown music scout spotted her and made an introduction to Motown CEO Kedar Massenburg. Sidestepping all the devices of flavor-of-the-month record-making, Acoustic Soul acquainted listeners with a brave and eloquent new voice, drawing an uncommonly broad swath of listeners from hip-hop, the so called neo-soul, blues, folk, and classic troubadour-style singer/songwriting, all at once. The album, released in 2001, debuted at number ten on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart and number three on the R&B album chart. Within months, without the concentrated radio play that typically powers pop and rap albums, Acoustic Soul was certified double-platinum.
India.Arie also features on Stevie Wonder's album A Time To Love which was released on October 18, 2005. India.Arie and Stevie Wonder duet on the title track "A Time To Love" that India wrote, which was nominated in the 2006 forty-eighth Grammy Awards, for Best Pop Vocal Collaboration with Vocals.
On the September 2005 premiere of The Tyra Banks Show, Arie performed "Just 4 2day". She wrote this song especially for Tyra's show. Arie also wrote "What About the Child", a song that did not air but was made available as a $1 internet download to support child victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Voyage to India
India.Arie followed the success of her debut in 2002 with the release of Voyage to India. Debuting at number six on the Billboard 200 and number one on the R&B chart, the album eventually earned a 2003 Grammy for Best R&B Album. The single "Little Things" also won a 2003 Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. Soon after its release, Voyage to India was certified gold; and it was certified platinum on Friday 4 August 2006.
Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship
India.Arie's third studio album, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship, was released on June 27, 2006. Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship gave India.Arie her first number-one on the Billboard 200 and was her second chart-topper on the U.S. R&B album chart. This album was also the first #1 album for the Motown record label in 33 years since Diana Ross's #1 Lady Sings the Blues Its first week sales of 161,000 copies is Arie's best sales week to date and was certified gold on Friday, August 4, 2006.
Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics was released on Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
Songversation (2013)
Christmas with Friends (2015)
Worthy (2019)
We Are
India.Arie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We are the love of mothers that taught our hearts to care
We are, we are
We are the patients and the sacrifice of yesterday
The silence in between the breaths of all the words we say
We are, we are
Ooh, ooh
We are the proof of life, how our ancestors gave
We are the proof of love from the cradle to the grave
We are, we are
We are the best of struggles that we won't have to bear
We are the heir to all the prayers that float upon the air
We are, we are, we are
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
We are the seed of children that may never know our names
We are the peace of people that won't bow their heads in shame
We are, we are
We walk upon the Earth, we knock on heaven's door
We are the life that teems along the deepest ocean floor
We are, we are, we are
Ooh
The present, the past, the future days to come
The alpha, the omega, we are everything in one
We are, we are
Ooh, we are
India.Arie's "We Are" is a song that encompasses love, sacrifice, and ancestry. The song opens up with the idea that strangers can come together and say a silent prayer out of love. It then moves on to the idea of the love that mothers have for their children, which in turn, teach their children to care for others. The song acknowledges the quiet moments that exist between the spoken words or moments between actions, and how those moments add to the essence of who we are.
Line by Line Meaning
We are the love of strangers that say a silent prayer
We are connected as human beings and create love even with those we do not know through the power of silent prayer.
We are the love of mothers that taught our hearts to care
Our capacity to love and care comes from the selflessness and teachings of our mothers.
We are, we are
We exist and have value as individuals and as a collective.
We are the patients and the sacrifice of yesterday
We carry on the legacies of those who have suffered and sacrificed before us.
The silence in between the breaths of all the words we say
There is meaning in the pauses and stillness that exist between our words and actions.
We are the proof of life, how our ancestors gave
Our existence is evidence of the lives and sacrifices of our ancestors.
We are the proof of love from the cradle to the grave
Throughout our lives, we are surrounded by love which provides meaning and purpose.
We are the best of struggles that we won't have to bear
Our hardships and challenges lead to personal growth and provide lessons for the future.
We are the heir to all the prayers that float upon the air
We inherit the hopes and wishes of those who came before us, carrying them forward into the future.
We are the seed of children that may never know our names
Our actions and impact can extend beyond our own recognition or awareness, influencing future generations.
We are the peace of people that won't bow their heads in shame
We embody the resilience and strength of those who stand up for justice and refuse to feel shame for who they are or what they believe.
We walk upon the Earth, we knock on heaven's door
We exist in both physical and spiritual realms and possess great power and potential.
We are the life that teems along the deepest ocean floor
Life exists in abundance in all corners of the world, even where it may be unseen or overlooked.
The present, the past, the future days to come
We exist within time and have the ability to shape our present and future through our actions and choices.
The alpha, the omega, we are everything in one
We are the beginning and the end, encompassing all aspects of existence within ourselves.
Ooh, we are
Our existence is something to be celebrated and cherished.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: India Arie Sim, Joel Cross
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ateofil2767
We are the love of strangers
That say a silent prayer
We are the love of mothers
That taught our hearts to care
We are, we are
We are the patients and
The sacrifice of yesterday
The silence in between the
Breaths of all the words we say
We are, we are
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
We are the proof of life
How our ancestors gave
We are the proof of love from
The cradle to the grave
We are, we are
We are the best of struggles
That we won't have to bear
We are the heir to all the
Prayers that float upon the air
We are, we are, we are
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
We are the seed of children that
May never know our names
We are the peace of people
That won't…
@s.j.l.8252
...bow their heads in shame.
We are, we are.
We walk upon the earth
and bow on heaven's door
We are the life that teams
along the deepest ocean floor.
We are, we are, we are.
Ooh...
The present, the past,
the future days to come.
The alpha, the omega,
we are everything, The One.
We are, we are.
Oooh...
We are.
(Ashé!)
@marywilson6354
You are one of the most underrated prolific songwriter of our time
@lulumbimulenga947
I agree
@Wanda_Jannette
@Damon Cross amen brother! Quality always over quantity, not everyone understand the experience of that. God has a way, always!
@amyvossenvukelic2936
i so agree......thank you for all you to continue to bring to my heart and my life!
@waltervasself16
You're an R&B, acustic soul music legend. Tks for your music 🔥👏🏿❤️
@yoellen1
Listening to India feels like a much needed cool shower, a deep cleansing of/balm for the soul
@growingandglowing4553
India, when people say to me , you remind me of India Arie; my heart truly flutters with gratitude to know that if I’m reflecting the same spirit that shows in you, then I am truly blessed! Thank you for being such a willing vessel 🦋🎶❤️
@redemptionsonginc
I listened - yes same vibe. That was beautiful!
@indigenoussquad
India Arie is one amazingly beautiful, talented/gifted, royal and genuine individual............A QUEEN IS WHAT SHE IS!!!!👑👑❤ #CrownHer #BlackWomanMagic #Worthy
@janekennedy7055
Thank you so much Megan. I too cried. That was indeed powerful