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India.Arie
See all Pop
The socially-conscious singer/songwriter delivers a stirring set of brand new tunes.
You've arrived at Soundcheck...
Walmart’s original performance series where you get up close and personal with your favorite artists. Check out live performances and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from original in-studio sets – all filmed exclusively in HD. Soundcheck is broadcast in Walmart stores nationwide – or catch us online 24/7.
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We have a top-notch music label relations team that helps us book acts. They are constantly on the phone with music labels around the country trying to get the best bands on Soundcheck.
Soundcheck is an original performance series created by the Wal-Mart Music team, giving you the opportunity to go behind the scenes and get an in-studio look at some of your favorite artists. Soundcheck plays right here on Walmart.com, or, for the full high definition experience, visit any Walmart store and head to the Electronics department to watch it on the Walmart TV Network.
We'll be adding new performances on a regular basis throughout the year, so please check back regularly at Walmart.com/soundcheck for more information.
We'll have artists from all genres; some old, some new, some huge, some more emerging - but all will be presented in the same intimate studio environment. So be on the lookout!
Check in regularly at Walmart.com/soundcheck, or visit your local Walmart store and watch the Walmart TV Network.
No. Just visit Walmart.com/soundcheck and watch for free!
Once the performances launch, you can play it anytime you want, 24 hours a day. We'll keep all artists up on the site under "The Performances" tab.
We recommend broadband DSL or Cable to anyone who wants to truly enjoy video and audio on the Internet. However, we have made available a smaller dial-up version so you don't miss out.
If you are reading this page right now, you likely have everything you need. However, watching the Soundcheck performances requires at least the following in order to properly stream media content:
PC
• Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional, Vista or Windows 7 in 32bit and 64bit
• Intel Pentium 4 2.33GHz, AMD Athlon™ 64 2800+ processor (or equivalent)
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Internet Explorer 6.0 to 8.0 (IE 8.0 recommended)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Flash Version 9.0.115 and up.
MAC
• Mac OS X v10.4 or later
• PowerPC G5 1.8GHz, Intel Core Duo 1.33GHz or faster processor
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Safari 3.0
If you have the minimum system requirements, reinstall your Flash Player by clicking here
Browse Videos
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Performance Photos
About The Artist
The Set List
-The Crew at Walmart Soundcheck
On Social Consciousness:
“I use political themes and social statements in my songs because those are the things I think about. In the beginning of my songwriting career when I started writing songs as a fine art, those were the things that came out. Now I’m on my fourth album and it’s important to me because I understand more about the world. The world is changing. I want to make a social contribution through what I do.”
On Producer College:
“I do usually wear the hat of producer for my albums, but this time I wore the whole suit. The hat, the jacket, the pants, the telephone stuck to my ear all the time! It was like going to college. I kept saying in my prayers: “I want to learn something new! I want to go to college.” I kept calling it college. And I went to college."
On The Journey:
The songs that I write mostly are affirmations; they’re about what I feel, what I think, the best of what I want to see of humanity and what I want of myself. I’m not telling the news. I’m telling the best of us. I’m working on my own issues and my own stuff as a woman, my looks, stuff that has happened in my past. I don’t want any young girl to think that I’ve got it down. I’m working on it. That’s all we can do. It’s always a journey. I face my fears.”
• She’s a Simpson! India Arie Simpson was born October 3, 1975 in Denver, Colorado.
• She’s from a long line of music and sports. Her mother is a former Motown singer and her father is former NBA sportsman Ralph Simpson.
• She does more than just sing. Besides singing and songwriting, India is a talented guitarist, flautist, rapper and record producer.
• She’s a two-time Grammy winner. India picked up two Grammys in 2003 for Best Urban/Alternative Performance and Best R&B album for her disc ‘Voyage To India.’
• She's a big seller! India.Arie has sold over eight million albums worldwide. Her new album is the follow-up to her number one disc 'Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship.'
India kick starts her Soundcheck set with the intro to her new disc, ‘Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics.’ Summoning rich melodies from her back-up singers, the artist launches into a prayer of gratitude: “I’m grateful that you created me from the same grains. And I’m grateful that you never cease to amaze me... the way you love me.”
Ghetto
“To be hungry in LA is just like starving in Bombay.” So sings India in this powerful new tune about universal poverty. Here, the singer speculates that we all face the same situations – regardless of our geography. Asks the artist: “Look around. You live in another country too. Do you see your brother?”
Better Way
India.Arie may deliver music with a strong message, but it doesn’t mean the girl can’t rock out. The bluesy strains of ‘Better Way’ clearly demonstrate her musical diversity. As a guitar riff hypnotizes us, we’re treated to a sampling of the artist's simple yet poignant message: “So many people are dying and we’re not even sure what for. There’s got to be a better way."
Pearls
Fans of Sade will immediately recognize the opening chords to this slow burning classic. ‘Pearls’ appears on India’s new album (with an appearance from Ivory Coast percussionist Dobet Gnahoré), although India’s cover gives the original a memorable twist. Listen to the layered background melodies, India's unique vocal treatment, and that unforgettable line: “It hurts like brand shoes.”
Therapy
The second single from ‘Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics’ features a guest vocal appearance from reggae man Gramps Morgan, who joins India on stage for an unforgettable duet. Strapping on her guitar, India delivers an unabashed pop anthem with an infectious chorus about some tender, therapeutic lovin’.
Chocolate High
It's time for another collaboration and the first single from her new album. Though Musiq Soulchild features on the album version, India breaks out her talented back-up vocalist for leading man stage duty. 'Chocolate High' is a positive reflection on a healthy relationship and sums up India’s present state of mind: “If we make each other happy then we just can’t lose.”
Long Goodbye
India ends her set with one of the more subdued moments from the new album. ‘Long Goodbye’ is a power ballad, a far-reaching tune about turning the page. Sings India: “I cried in silence, I lived through you. Maybe I can learn to fall for someone who can give me all the things I’m not afraid to lose.”
