India.Arie

Lately we have been discussing the representation of African-Americans in media. A while back we read a fascinating article about black women especially those in the music industry. The article mentioned many black female singers including Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Lil' Kim, and India Arie. Now, I am a BIG fan of India Arie. And this article helped me to point my finger on why. SHE ISN'T AFRAID TO GO AGAINST THE NORM! She is just like- hey this is who I am. Like it or not. I don't care. And she sends that message in a confident, positive way. The article mentioned this- the way she goes against the grain and it also mentioned that as result she hasn't been as successful as other black female artists. That is sad. That to sell lots of record you have to be willing to sell yourself. But I am glad that there are still people out there in the industry like India Arie- she obviously is not willing to compromise who she is and what she believes just to sell some more records. Props to her!

Check out India Arie's song, Video.



And here are the lyrics:
Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don't
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won't
Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I Learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Arie

When I look in the mirror the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be
And I know our creator didn't make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes I'm lovin' what I see

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I Learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Arie

Am I less of a lady If I don't wear pantyhose?
My mama said a lady ain't what she wears but, what she knows
But, I've drawn a conclusion, it's all an illusion confusion's the name of the game
A misconception, a vast deception
Something's gotta change
Don't be offended this is all my opinion
ain't nothing that I'm sayin law
This is a true confession of a life learned lesson I was sent here to share with y'all
So get in where you fit in go on and shine
Free your mind, now's the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself
'Cause everything's gonna be all right

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I Learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Arie

Keep your fancy drinks and your expensive minks
I don't need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive car and your Caviar
All I need is my guitar
Keep your Kristal and your pistol
I'd rather have a pretty piece of Crystal
Don't need your silicone, I prefer my own
What God gave me is just fine

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I Learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Arie

What a beautiful message. I wish we had more songs and more artists like this!!