Happy 20th Anniversary to India.Arie’s debut album Acoustic Soul, originally released Month 27, 2001.
The road to one’s own self-discovery can be an interesting voyage, but if you happened to come of age around the turn of the century, it was likely that your journey was at least entertaining. That was because you had a soundtrack to guide you through the rugged terrain of youthful uncertainty, and that soundscape had depth and poignancy, to go along with the buttery vocals of the narrator. It was a fresh sound, one that introduced a new artist by the name of India.Arie, who helped reclaim and redefine Black femininity for the new millennium with her debut album Acoustic Soul.
If you were a Black girl who grew up in the ‘80s or ‘90s, there weren’t a lot of images on television that celebrated blackness as beautiful. Chances are, you probably grew up playing with Barbie, which in many ways perpetuated the notion of Nordic superiority for glamour and beauty. Even when African American women did take more of a leading role in hip-hop and R&B, their roles often seemed clearly defined in a world where their male counterparts dominated the executive offices of the genres.
That’s why it was nothing short of revolutionary for a new artist to proclaim “sometimes I shave my legs, and sometimes I don’t” in her very first single. Doubling down on themes of transparency and empowerment, Arie also declared, “When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me / every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be / and I know my creator didn't make no mistakes on me / my feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes, I'm loving what I see.”
Acoustic Soul’s lead single and India.Arie’s formal inauguration, “Video” defined the concept of beauty as a component of positive self-imagery, as opposed to the narrow views pushed by privileged demographics. Striking a chord, both literally and figuratively, many identified with Arie’s lyrics, which helped the song become an empowerment anthem and successful hit, earning her multiple GRAMMY nominations and charting on Billboard’s Hot 100.
Acoustic Soul is introduced with a tribute to soul music icons that helped blaze the trail for artists like Arie to have a platform. She names Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye and several others, as if she knew that she would be soon joining their ranks, as a soulful artist who would use her many talents to musically communicate the traditions and interactions of the African American experience.
With her sophomore single, it was clear that Arie had her seat reserved for the legends table. The lyrics for “Brown Skin” are simultaneously sexy, flirtatious and uplifting. The celebration of not only Black love in general, but dark skin specifically, pays homage to many African Americans’ southern and/or Caribbean heritage, while seductively comparing skin tones to some of the sweetest snacks used to appease the sweet tooth: “Where are your people from / maybe Mississippi or an Island / apparently your skin has been kissed by the sun / you make me want to Hershey's kiss, your licorice.”
For a debut project, Acoustic Soul is incredibly fluid, without a dull moment to deter your attention. It offers layers of a self-aware woman who sets the terms for her life’s desires. “I See God in You” is relatable for anyone who has gathered themselves to finally step into the realm of the unknown, to express the feelings you have for someone who is merely a crush. “Part of My Life” almost rebuts that perspective, by laying down some guidelines beyond the initial physical attraction, in the search for a deeper connection. For the song’s chorus, Arie writes, “And I know that it looks good / but can you be a part of my life / and I'm sure that it feels good / but can you be a part of my life and it probably even taste good / but can you be a part of my life / I've got to know.”
“Ready for Love” represents the emotional apex of Acoustic’s love journey. The matrimonial lyrics “I am ready for love / why are you hiding from me / I'd quickly give my freedom / to be held in your captivity” is yet another early testament that Arie is at the elite level of songwriters of her generation, but with minimal production which highlights the purity of her vocals. The song still resonates and endears, particularly with Black women who connect with the lyrics and frequently use the song as a bridal entrance, before making vows and jumping the broom into matrimony.
In line with the album’s prevailing theme of empowerment, “Strength Courage & Wisdom” is in the same vein as “Video,” a brilliant affirmation of the power of positive self-imagery, which was much needed for the R&B/Soul genre, its audience and even Arie at the time.
Acoustic Soul would go on to receive seven GRAMMY nominations in 2002, without securing a single trophy. Regarded as one the biggest snubs in recent years, this experience perhaps endeared Arie to her fans even more, as her lyrics helped inspire them to reach personal goals in their own lives. I’m sure the experience was disappointing, particularly for such a young artist, but it seems Arie used this as a catalyst, because she returned only a year later with an impressive sophomore album, Voyage to India (2002).
With a monumental debut album, the stage was set for India.Arie to compile one of the most revered music catalogs on this side of the 21st century. Acoustic Soul is brilliant in its writing, production, and vocal execution. Its celebration of dark skin, natural hair and self-affirming lyrics was ahead of its time, and without a doubt served as a prelude and inspiration to modern day monikers like “Black Girl Magic.”
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