12 Facts About Goapele

Goapele's name means to move forward in Setswana, a Southern African language.

Goapele's South African father Douglas Mohlabane was an exiled political activist who struggled against the Apartheid System.

Goapele's New York-born Israeli Jewish mother Noa had been attending protests since the age of 12.

Goapele attended the Berkeley Arts Magnet School, where she led a pre-teen peer-support group.

Goapele returned to Oakland after her time at Berklee College of Music, where she concentrated on writing and recording songs.

Goapele released her first nationally distributed album, Even Closer, featuring the single "Closer," through Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings.

Goapele co-wrote and co-produced the entire album, which is a mixture of neo-soul, trip hop, lieder, and jazz.

Goapele appeared on Soul Train to promote the album in May 2006, in what turned out to be the show's final new episode.

In celebration of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa Goapele released the single "Victory" featuring South African emcee Hip Hop Pantsula, a prelude to her upcoming musical project Victory, which was released in Winter 2010 and feature an array of artists from the African continent as well as throughout the Diaspora.

In 2014, Goapele signed with singer Eric Benet's record label Jordan House and is in the process of recording new material for her new label.

In 2014, Goapele released Strong as Glass, her fifth studio album.

Goapele performed at rallies, demonstrations, and various political events around the world from Cuba to South Africa.