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Goat Vibez Interviews: The Lady Alma

Philadelphia’s Queen Of Soulful House Music

Who Is The Lady Alma?

House music mainstay LADY ALMA is one of the many reasons Philadelphia’s sonic scene is world renowned. Her uplifting anthems considered instantly infectious wherever they’re heard.

For decades, she has recorded memorable musical gems with other global forces in song crafting. Her list includes Philly’s own King Britt, longtime collaborator Mark de Clive-Lowe and 2x Grammy Nominated Terry Hunter.

In addition, she’s collaborated with Uber-producers Kaidi Tatham, David Harness, Osunlade, DJ Spinna, Yukihiro Fukutomi, Will “Reelsoul” Rodriguez, Miza, Fanatix, 4Hero and more.

The Lady Alma

Illustrious producer Rob Paine, her long standing musical brother-in-arms, features LADY ALMA on “Love Right Now”. His saucy grind with Joey Crawford on Worship Recordings, its mix blessed by Pete Moss.

Kicking off February with more flavor than a spice store, “Love Right Now” shows their enduring allure. This is a follow up the 2022 re-issue of the Frequent Fliers remix of Paine’s 2006 EP spotlighting LADY ALMA. Other songs include “This Is The Life,” as well as the 2020 mellow dance groove, “All the Way Far Away”. Their BBE Music collaboration co-produced by David Marston and boosted via remixes by Toribio & Troop 493.

The Lady Alma

February blows a kiss to fans of “A Philly Special Christmas” too. It’s the set arrival of the third, final vinyl pressing of the charitable 2022 album. An LP notably rocked by a rewarding cover of “Merry Christmas Baby” teaming LADY ALMA and multi-talented Philadelphia Eagles player Jordan Mailata.

The pressing before it sold out in two minutes, hit Billboard #1 on the Compilation chart and Top 10 on Album Sales.

What’s Going On Now?

LADY ALMA’s paired up with DJ Spinna for another killer Galactic Soul remix. This time for her soulful classic “Running for Nothing,” which was released on UK record label TotheRock Records.

She’s heartily highlighted via a compilation of remixes created by a slate of acclaimed DJs —  including Hunter, Mark Francis, Shannon Chambers and Lil Dave — artfully recreating the LADY ALMA track, “Make You Move,” for T’s Box Records.

Standouts in Hip-Hop and rock admirably enlisted LADY ALMA to build on musically that year as well. Specifically the legendary Grammy Award-winning DJ/producer Marley Marl for an EP project due for release this 2023, and “Kickin” with Philly’s own G. Love & Special Sauce and Chuck Treece.

Two songs from her project with Marl (“Livin’ For The Groove” and “Joy {Hallelujah}”) were co-written by singer-songwriter-producer Kenny Bobien. They are scheduled for delivery to audiences later in the year.

The Lady Alma

The Philly-raised songstress born in San Diego is known for a range of uniquely inspirational jams. Among them “Happiness,” “Believe,” “Chances,” “Hold It Down,” “Peace You’ll Find”.

Fans of LADY ALMA recognize not only the magic of her skillful vocal arches but her amazing songs’ motivating messages amid the musicianship.

Count that among the top reasons “Gimme That Music,” her virtual residency at World Café Live named after her 2004 jam with Peter & Tyrone, rocks its crowds so well and with such consistency, sublimely aided and abetted by Vertical Current.

The city of Philadelphia has notably recognized LADY ALMA as one of its key musical contributors, both via past African American Music Appreciation Month celebrations and official proclamation bestowal.

Music

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Straight Official Sit Downs: T Barz

T BARZ stopped by the Straight Official Headquarters for this edition of Straight Official Sit Downs. The official one-on-one with The Worldwide Fleet DJs. @klassikceo served up the questions and their vibe was indeed dope. Check it out down below and click here for more of the Straight Official Sit Downs.

Q&A WITH T BARZ

What is your Name? Where are you from and what first got you interested in the entertainment industry?

T Barz from Mobile, AL. I got started around 2013. I was writing poems & spoken word pieces but that quickly become half pleasing & me growing up watching/listening to Hip-Hop/R&B artists like Biggie, Missy, Common and MC Lyte. It was easy for me to determine I wanted to put my words to instrumentals & it started from there, not long after that I would get in contact with a local engineer & record in the studio.

Who and/or what inspires you to create?

Life inspires me to write, the experiences of myself & others around me. As long as I’m breathing I think I’ll have something to say even if I’m only saying “turn up” on a track I always got something to write or a story I can come up with & tell. 

How would you describe your sound?

My sound is early 90s Hip-Hop mixed with the now. Balanced. I like to think that wasn’t by mistake. I’m in between 2 generations to where I understand the older crowd but I also understand the young crowd in ways so that made me very versatile, I can create whatever sound I want. My beats can range from slow to fast to piano to guitars.

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

What is your creative process like?

It differs, but mostly I let the instrumentals create the tracks for me. If you’re an artist or even have a strong love for music then you know music have moods/emotions attached to them if you listen. So for me it’s when I listen to a track it’s easy to tell if it’s going to be a conscious track or a party track or some “raw raw” (laughs). 

What artist(s) would you like to collaborate with?

To be honest, too many to name. J Cole, Common, Missy, Rick Ross, Kendrick Lamar, School Boy Q, The Game, Dave East, Lil Baby and Remy Ma.

T Barz
Photo Cred: The Hype Magazine

What is one message you would give to your supporters?

Always hold me accountable for the things I say. If I rap about pushing drugs in the hoods then I come on social media & talk a completely opposite game call it out. I don’t like when fans are so stuck on an artist they look over their wrongs & even make the wrong be right in their eyes knowing it’s not because it’s “their idol.”

SHIFTING GEARS 

What is the most talent/skill you have that most people don’t know about?

Dancing. Some people know but that was my first love. Self taught growing up watching MJ & Usher back in the day. Any artist that would choreograph dance back then in a music video I would be a little girl standing right in front of the TV learning every move doing exactly what I saw.

What would you be doing right now, if you weren’t doing music?

I would probably be an actress or in the criminal justice field.

Who are some artists/people you admire and why?

I admire artists like Queen Latifah & MC Lyte because they didn’t stop at music. They were able to cultivate every other talent they had & that’s what I want. I’m not just talented in one area so I want to be able to scratch on everything I can actually do.

T Barz
Photo Cred: Urban Bridgez

IN CONCLUSION

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

I’ve been giving such good wisdom in my life I don’t think I can narrow it down to the best because I needed ALL the wisdom I’ve ever gotten equally. I always say this quote sits with me always “A smart man learns from his mistakes but a wise man learns from the mistake of others” & in that he avoids more pains than the smart man. 

If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be? 

I would change the over-saturation. Needing talent isn’t the main thing or even needed anymore as an artist as long as you got popularity. I believe we’re missing out on great talented artists because for whatever reason they might not have the popularity or motion as one who is not as talented as them.

What’s next for you? Where would you like to see yourself next year?

On TV screens & radio stations all over the country. That’s my goal. To saturate every market me & my team possibly can with “T Barz”. The talent is there we just have to put the work in. 

FOLLOW T BARZ ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram/Twitter/YouTube- @Tbarzzzz Facebook – Facebook.com/OfficialTbarz 

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