BeatRoute Magazine BC Edition May 2019

MUSiC CONCERT PREVIEWS
BEN HOUDIJK / SHUTTERSTOCK
DARROL EPALMER
KALI
UCHIS
and really just any type
of artist that seemed like
they were doing their own
thing.”
PNE Forum
For Kali, being a female
pop star in 2019 Tix: $49.50
means using her platform
for philanthropic deeds,
speaking at the podium
of women’s empowerment
and approaching
life with a kind heart. She has been
JORJA SMITH AND
KALI UCHIS
Vancouver:
Wednesday, May 22
Toronto:
Thursday, May 30
RBC Echo Beach
Tix: $49.50 - $175.00
hometown in Colombia
with her charity, Visión
Valores Y Vida.
“I have my own charity
with my family in
Colombia and all the
proceeds go to Visión
Valores Y Vida.” The
foundation, which is primarily
geared towards
providing clothing and
toys to children was announced last
JORJA
SMITH
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playing music since she was seven year.
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school Latina culture.
While all things retro may be today’s
craze , for Kali, these vintage
vibes were born out of necessity and
generating a persona within limitations.
and says she was “one of those little
kids making drum beats off of pots
“I think growing up, my goal has
always been to be successful enough
to be an independent person who
doesn’t need help from anyone and
can do whatever I want to do and
also a provider, not just for my family
“I’ve always loved all things retro. I just loved being but to other people in less fortunate
As a teenager, I developed my personal
style shopping for secondhand
For Kali, the topic hits close to
situations.”
able to take
clothes and creating new clothes out something old and home. Her father grew up on the
of them. I would reinvent myself make it new, fresh, streets of Colombia as a kid, and her
through those expressions of fashion
and play around with vintage
tershocks of Colombia’s decades of
family was deeply affected by the af-
modern and make it
styles whether that was the 90s, 80s, my own.”
political turmoil.
70s or 60s I just loved being able to
Through her many artistic platforms,
take something old and make it new, and pans.” Encircled by music in her
philanthropic expressions,
fresh, modern and make it my own,”
she says.
Influenced by music of the 60s,
early soul, R&B, doo-wop, and jazz,
Kali bridges visuals of the past with
rhythms reminiscent of early 00s’
soulful pop and R&B: “I love artists
that are free and do what they want
to. I’ve always loved Erykah Badu,
Amy Winehouse and Selena. Growing
up I was really into all types of
experimental music: Jimi Hendrix
community and encouragement by
her family, Kali grew up playing piano
and saxophone, while participating in
a jazz band. She spent those years in a
bicultural upbringing in Virginia and
Colombia.
“I think being bicultural made me
very open minded to the world.”
With a global and empathetic eye,
Kali participates in many philanthropic
efforts helping children and
families in need, in and around her
and as she continues to build her empire,
Kali believes the route of true
success comes from a place of kindness
and a place of softness.
“If all of us had empathy and were
reminded of people who are in less
fortunate circumstances then we
could turn a lot of lives around and
have the opportunity to do something
greater. It’s something that I’ve
always personally tried to keep in
mind and stay passionate about.” ,
“They boosted my confidence
early. I used to sing all the time in
the house and play them songs
I’d written. My mom got me into
playing the keyboard when I was
eight.”
Some of us would be mortified
to read songs we’d written in our
Don’t compare
yourself to other
artists as we all
have our own path.
Love and believe in
what you do.”
vulnerable, awkward teenage
years, let alone perform them in
front of global audiences. But
Smith transcends that embarrassment
– she knew herself
then, just as she does now.
“It’s mad to think things I go
through now I can relate to
through my music from years
ago,” she says. “They can give me
the same feeling.”
Growing up in the small town
of Walsall, England, Smith was a
fish too big for her tank. She got
restless, and by 16, she knew she
wanted to move to London to
pursue music.
“I didn’t know any different than
Walsall when I grew up,” she says.
“When I started going to London
I realized that’s where I wanted to
be. I’m a busy body and love to be
constantly doing things.”
Smith has collaborated with
artists like Stormzy, Drake, and
most recently Kali Uchis, who is
accompanying her on this North
American tour. But she’ll never
work with someone just for the
clout. In fact, she almost said no
to working with Drake.
“I write my own songs, and ‘Get
It Together’ was a cover for me
to sing,” she says. “At first I didn’t
relate to the words, but over time
things changed in my life and I
listened back. I was like, ‘Oh, now
I get what she is saying.’”
The singer-songwriter has always
known what she wants, and
to witness her thoughtful process
is to know that she is right in her
certainty that she’ll succeed. Her
advice to anyone chasing similar
goals is poignant.
“Don’t compare yourself to
other artists as we all have our
own path. Love and believe in
what you do, explore your craft
and push yourself even further
than you think you can go. Don’t
be afraid of criticism either – it
can help. But trust yourself.” ,
26 BEATROUTE MAY 2019