On Location: Yahzarah's Video Shoot for "Cry Over You"
Washington, D.C. native Yahzarah (pronounced yah-zah-rah),has performed with artists such as Erykah Badu, Raheem DeVaughn and The Foreign Exchange. The singer, songwriter, producer and entrepreneur endured early record deals that left her questioning the business side of the music industry. However, like a caterpillar emerging from its chrysalis as a butterfly, Yahzarah has triumphantly, risen from her hardships as Ms. Purple St. James. (Read Yahzarah's feature story in The Indiestry Magazine ).
Yahzarah dropped her fourth album, The Ballad of Purple Saint James on May 4. The highly-anticipated album was released through The Foreign Exchange Music. The first single from the album, "Why Dontcha Call Me No More", is a tale of a woman scorned. The second single, "Cry Over You", is something different.
More from director Matt Koza: "[The video] starts out with her in the living room and she is anticipating [her boyfriend's] call. He doesn't but she says 'forget about it, I'm going out with my girls.'"
The Indiestry Exec Donisha A. caught up with Yahzarah in Washington, D.C during the last scene of the video for "Cry Over You"...(which also featured a barbecue with Phonte of The Foreign Exchange Aka "The KAng of the Grill" flipping the burgers.) Also in attendance were indie artists Kia Bennett, Carolyn Malachi, Deborah Bond, Alison Carney and lots, lots more.
Yahzarah on the evolution of her musical themes and personal growth:
...I was in school, I was coming of age, and I was in love for the first time so I wrote songs about love. But, at some point a woman starts to assess what is her definition of love, definition of success and definition of true happiness. I'm not defined by who I catch, carry, and marry, I'm just defined by the decisions I make.
The Ballad of Purple Saint James reflects those years I spent in retrospect looking back at that time and wanting to be better. I feel like I'm at my best...better than I've ever been in my life...music or no music. Because, at the time I was defining myself only by you all loving me, but then when the phone stopped ringing in '04...you have to reassess what you are in love with and why. And I will love [my fans] whether you guys love me or not. The added icing is that you recognize my work, but ya'll still don't love me. You recognize the songs, but I hope that this record will bring you guys one step closer to loving me.
...On the video for "Cry Over You"
Have you ever not given a damn? Like, he didn't call, so whatever. I get into me now, before I can get into someone else. [This video] is about sistahs getting into themselves.
Why is the video set in Washington, D.C.?
I'm a Washingtonian and I've never done a video at home and it was really important to me to come home and pay honor to the things and places that make me happy. [We shot at] Ben's Chili Bowl...Foreign Exchange... we wanted to go to Yums, but we didn't have enough time. D.C. has been really good to me. Growing up, I had my highs and lows, but this is still my city, this is still where I'm from.
Stay tuned for the video. Yes, we know...we can't wait either...
Special thanks to Gypsy Soul for coordinating this interview!
Posted by The Indiestry Execs at 08-30-2010 
Categories: Music, Entertainment
Tags: Cry Over You Yahzarah
Categories: Music, Entertainment
Tags: Cry Over You Yahzarah
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