Dessert is served: An Evening with ChinahBlac at the Ice Cream Soul series presented by The Flow.
On a stoop around the corner from Adams Morgan’s Maggie Moo’s in Washington DC sits ChinahBlac, bright smile and afro in tow. This woman truly kept it real on and offstage, with a personality as fabulous and colorful as her red spiked heels. We talked about music, and how there are no boundaries or labels to control it. When asked what artists she considered truly “Eargasmic”, which just so happens to be the name of her upcoming mix tape out September 29th, the first name she uttered was Sting. A melting pot of other incredible artists followed, Hall and Oates, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, Bjork and Donnie Hathaway among others. She spoke about portraying lyrical fantasy, betraying the listener who has real thoughts and feelings by only offering unrealistic love songs and sugar coated cries of heartbreak. “We’re all in this $^#% together” she said. I couldn’t agree more.
Onstage her voice was as cool and smooth as the ice cream being served, and her asides contained just as many layers. She brought waves of laughter and bright smiles to an audience who early on seemed a little shy. Chinah performed four songs including her debut single “Get Away”, and each song was accompanied by an entertaining story. “Get Away” in particular came to be from an experience she had with a cheating lover who ended up in the hospital after an accident while she was on tour. Chinah caught the first plane to his side only to discover that he’d gotten into the accident cheating on her. He must not have anticipated her arrival because when she got there one of his other women decided to make a get well visit, and the rest is history. Wanting out of the situation mentally physically and emotionally, Chinah crafted a daringly honest song of escape.
Check out some video:
On a stoop around the corner from Adams Morgan’s Maggie Moo’s in Washington DC sits ChinahBlac, bright smile and afro in tow. This woman truly kept it real on and offstage, with a personality as fabulous and colorful as her red spiked heels. We talked about music, and how there are no boundaries or labels to control it. When asked what artists she considered truly “Eargasmic”, which just so happens to be the name of her upcoming mix tape out September 29th, the first name she uttered was Sting. A melting pot of other incredible artists followed, Hall and Oates, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye, Bjork and Donnie Hathaway among others. She spoke about portraying lyrical fantasy, betraying the listener who has real thoughts and feelings by only offering unrealistic love songs and sugar coated cries of heartbreak. “We’re all in this $^#% together” she said. I couldn’t agree more.
Onstage her voice was as cool and smooth as the ice cream being served, and her asides contained just as many layers. She brought waves of laughter and bright smiles to an audience who early on seemed a little shy. Chinah performed four songs including her debut single “Get Away”, and each song was accompanied by an entertaining story. “Get Away” in particular came to be from an experience she had with a cheating lover who ended up in the hospital after an accident while she was on tour. Chinah caught the first plane to his side only to discover that he’d gotten into the accident cheating on her. He must not have anticipated her arrival because when she got there one of his other women decided to make a get well visit, and the rest is history. Wanting out of the situation mentally physically and emotionally, Chinah crafted a daringly honest song of escape.
Check out some video:
Having worked with artists such as Jill Scott, Dave Matthews Band, and Erykah Badu, Chinah’s fifteen years in the business are adorned with accomplishments. As a debut solo artist her warmth and openness during the interview were refreshing. But as a person, as a woman, Chinah’s connection to the world around her was inspiring. Her understanding of the human condition and her gift of music can be heard in every word of her songs.
Chinah and some the GS crew
Treat yourself to something chill, and flavorful…Listen to ChinahBlac.
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