In many ways, music is among the most effective means of evolving our collective social consciousness. Like plant medicine, touch, or awe, it can bypass our filters and deliver its unique message to our very being.
In that spirit, I begin the musical alchemy series. I will focus on artists who offer up a message of departure from conventional social and political structures and an embrace of all that is transformative, regenerative, and imbued with the spirit of love.
Have you ever heard of Yarah Bravo? If not, you're missing something special. Yarah is an exemplary musical alchemist.
"Yarah Bravo is a singer-songwriter, rapper, poet and activist. Bravo was born to a Chilean mother and a Brazilian father, who came to Sweden as political refugees. She sings and raps in English, Swedish and Spanish. She is most known for her song Bluebird and her EP Love Is The Movement and Good Girls Rarely Make History album. Bravo was one of the MC's of the group One Self, alongside with MC Blurum 13. Dj Vadim was the founding member of the group. They released their debut album titled Children of Possibility in 2005 on the record label Ninja Tune. And a limited release vinyl titled Organically Grown." - Everipedia
There are numerous ways you can dive into the Yarah Bravo experience, and I'm including several links below! Choose your own adventure.
Love is the Movement EP
Here's the "Love Is The Movement" EP Teaser
Yarah released her entire Love is the Movement EP on Soundcloud for free! So have a listen there, or on your preferred music streaming app.
You can also dive into Yarah's Soundcloud artist page here and see what you discover.
One Self - Bluebird
One of Yarah's most popular tracks comes as she MC's for the group One Self, on Bluebird, another act of sonic wizardry.
Dj Vadim feat. Yarah Bravo - The Pacifist
I was first introduced to Yarah through my friend @oshan, who turned me onto this lady a long time ago! This is the track that made me say, who is this woman? - "The Pacifist", by Dj Vadim feat. Yarah on vocals.
Further info on Yarah can be found here on Everipedia.
Discography
Studio albums
- Children Of Possibility (Ninja Tune 2005)
- One Self - Organically Grown (Mothergrain Records / OGS 2006)
- Good Girls Rarely Make History (Mothergrain Records, 2008)
- Love Is The Movement (Duzz Down San, 2014)
- Singles
- Be Your Own (Ninja Tune, 2005)
- Bluebird (Ninja Tune, 2005)
- Paranoid / Over Expose (Ninja Tune, 2005)
Collaborations
- Skalpel feat Yarah Bravo - Voice of Reason (Ninja Tune)
- Dj Vadim feat Yarah Bravo - The Pacifist (Ninja Tune)
- Dj Vadim feat Yarah Bravo - She Who Is Tested (Ninja Tune)
- Dj Vadim feat Yarah Bravo - Cum Shots (Ninja Tune)
- Dj Vadim feat Yarah Bravo - You are Yours (Ninja Tune)
- The Electric feat Yarah Bravo - Beautiful (BBE Records)
- The Polish Ambassador feat Yarah Bravo - Nobody's Alone
- Paco Mendoza feat Yarah Bravo - Candela
Music videos
- Bluebird [1]
- Carousel [2]
- I Found Love [3]
- Flowers - J Dilla Tribute [4]
- Beautiful [5]
- For The Moment [6]
Press quotes
In the words of Eric B and Rakim – “It ain’t no joke”. Super individualistic piece of futuristic psychedelic Hip Hop soul - DJ
The ridiculously cool Yarah Bravo will be on everyone’s lips sooner or later - MTV
Yarah swaggers with an irrepressible confidence that would charm the coldest of Hip Hop headz. Her cheeky beauty doesn’t hurt, but really it is her ability to connect with the audience that impresses most - HIP HOP CONNECTION
The real attraction of One Self is Yarah Bravo. Her voice is rich and deep, tangy and sweet. By turns she is fearless femme cee, jazz poet and sultry seductress. Like all great vocalists, notes not words are her primary tools for communication. On her lips a shopping list would sound profound and moving - BBC
Yarah Bravo, a feisty, sharp, young woman blessed with that soul power voice, amazing stage presence rapping, singing, rhyming with intellect and jazzual spirit in her voice - Straight No Chaser
It’s very experimental, infectiously soulful while having the quirks and perks of quality hip-hop - In The Mix
If the music industry was true and just, and not the poisoned and corrupt industry bound to the brain washed tastes of the mindless majority then she would be a number one hit record - Soul Generation
Yarah Bravo is truly one of the unsung heroes of the musical underground, and a musical alchemist of the first order!
I hope you have enjoyed this dose of musical alchemy!
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Until next time.
Peace, and @lovejoy