The Bay Area belle is showing the power of purple in a new video co-starring Omari Hardwick.For Goapele, purple is so much more than a color. In my exclusive interview with the R&B singer and songwriter, I got a glimpse into what it is like to have synesthesia and have amplified senses. Goapele recently released a music video for her song entitled “Purple”, starring her friend and former Sparkle co-star, Omari Hardwick. The video showcases Goapele and Hardwick as two people finding one another amidst a foggy, purple haze.
When asked what the color purple has meant for her as an artist, Goapele explained the sensation she experienced when hearing the song and then seeing the cool toned color.
“When I heard the music, before the lyrics and melody were written, it was just like a purple kind of smoky atmosphere”, she said. “Like how can I express this feeling? We’re just kind of entering into a zone. It also just had a feeling of longing, you know, in the song and just wanting to connect with a certain feeling.”
The Oakland native also discussed how Prince influenced her career through their friendship.
“I grew up listening to him”, Goapele said. “When I first started writing songs, he would be one of the influences that I would take in…We were friends and I feel like he was a mentor and he came out to some of my shows sometimes to support like he did with so many artists.”
“Purple” is part of Goapele’s new album, COLOURS which is set to be released November 3, 2023.
