Name

saidah baba talibah

About Me

Born and raised in Canada, Saidah Baba Talibah’s music has been greatly influenced by Toronto’s musical and ethnic enclaves. She first created stories that reflect the multitude of sounds and styles emanating from the city as a founding member of the seminal soul/rock group Blaxäm and was prominently featured on their 1998 EP, Kiss My Afro.

The daughter of Salome Bey, Saidah credits the internationally renowned jazz/blues singer and actress for her talent and ambition. In addition to her Tony and Grammy-nominated mother (who has also won a Dora Award) her uncle, Andy Bey, also a Grammy-nominated musician – she says that growing up in a family where the arts were respected, gave her the confidence to embark on a solo career.

Her most recent project, The Phone Demos (due for digital release in October 2009) is a collection of songs inspired from using her cell phone to record demo tracks. After sharing the recordings with others, not only did they love the music, they also remarked that the slightly grainy quality reminded them of the textured sound of early vinyl recordings. The recordings had an eerie similarity with Saidah’s personality: An old soul who creates new and vibrant work with new technology but through her voice and spirit, she acknowledges the musical greats whose spirits helped shape who she is as a dynamic and unique performer.

Just like the music and the singer/songwriter, the development of Saidah’s production style is unconventional and unique. Seeking a stronger connection, Saidah applied the same practice that her artistic friends were doing by collaborating with her fanbase in the recording process of making an album, which goes beyond just getting into the studio. By encouraging her fans to get involved by pre-purchasing her album, she thought that it would be a great way to develop a stronger connection and give her supporters the opportunity to be directly involved.

In order to do this, she created Make Me Wanna (S)Cream, a loyalty program so fans of her music could participate in the production of her upcoming projects. Based on the level of contribution, participants can choose from a collection of gifts and opportunities, all personally involving Saidah and items that reflect her personality and beliefs - from distinctive gift packages to dinner and a private acoustic performance in the privacy of their own home.

Saidah explains her musical career as something that is not just a natural extension of her family’s musical legacy, but an organic part of who she is as an individual. And when she performs, all of who she is and will be, pours out.

You can be my friend if...

you're open

Website :

http://www.sbtmusic.com

Occupation:

singer/songwriter

Favorite bands:

Salome Bey, Andy Bey, Living Color, Fishbone, Lewis Taylor, Minnie Riperton, Betty Davis, Donny Hathaway, Nikka Costa, Stevie Wonder, Funkadelic, The Dead Weather, N*E*R*D, Citizen Cope, Kate Bush, Bjork, Bill Withers, Rotary Connection, Vinx, Soundgarden, jDavey, Chaka Khan, Supertramp, Steely Dan, PJ Harvey, At The Drive In, The Mars Volta, King's X, Jamie Lidell, Cree Summer, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Final Fantasy, Radiohead

Favorite movies:

Xanadu, The Pursuit Of Happyness, The Muppet Movie, Tank Girl, The Color Purple, Hitch, Like Water For Chocolate, The Joy Luck Club, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, 13 Going On 30, Big, Million Dollar Baby, Pulp Fiction, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind

Favorite books:

the tao of pooh, Anything by OCTAVIA BUTLER, Tao: The Pathless Path by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, The Alchemist & The Zahir by Paulo Cohelo, Spilling Open, Brave On The Rock & Messy Thrilling Life by Sabrina Ward Harrison's books, From Superman to Man by JA Rodgers, gal: a true life story by Ruthie Bolton, The Wings of Joy by Sri Chinmoy

Favorite TV shows:

HEROES, Grey's Anatomy, The Biggest Loser, Lie To Me, Weeds, Californication, Carnivale, Dead Like Me

Zodiac Sign

Libra

Band Question - Genre:

Orchestral Indie Soul

Band Question -Band Members:

Saidah Baba Talibah - vocal/loop/keys, Donna Grantis - guitar, Alex McMaster - cello, Jewelle Blackman - vocals/violin, Rob Teehan - sousaphone

Band Question - Sounds like:

Orchestral Indie Soul

Band Question - Musical Influences:

::Salome Bey::Betty Davis::Minnie Riperton::Lewis Taylor::Nina Simone::Nikka Costa::Matthew Herbert::Final Fantasy::Chaka Khan::Stevie Wonder::Sia::Radiohead::Alice Smith::Hypnotic Brass Ensemble::

Band Question - Record label:

DIY