How Studying Erykah Badu Helped an Independent Artist Secure a Record Deal

From Sudan to Stardom: This episode features a conversation with Alsarah, the East African retro-pop artist, poet, whose journey from Khartoum to musical success is as inspiring as her soulful sound. She opens up about her roots in Sudan, navigating cultural identity as a Muslim, and how her family's resilience shaped her creative path. Discover how her deep connection to East African traditions and life experiences fueled her rise in the music world and led her to form her own rock band, Alsarah & The Nubatones.

From her early days exploring Sudanese music to embracing African American sounds like gospel, jazz, and blues, Alsarah shares how she built her career as an independent artist from studying greats like Erykau Badu, Learn how she financed her albums, negotiated licensing deals, and took bold steps to preserve her authentic voice amidst industry norms. This episode also dives into her activism for Sudan, her reflections on revolution, and her ability to craft music that transcends borders and genres. Whether you're a fan of cultural exploration, Islam, or simply enjoy authentic artistry, this episode is for you!

Don't miss her heartfelt insights, her latest album "Seasons of the Road," and how she landed a record deal.

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#sudanesemusic #ethnomusicology #eastafricanculture #eastafricamusic

CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro

02:06 - East African Retro Pop Overview

03:59 - Her Genesis Story

10:05 - Moving to America

12:12 - What is "Tarab Music"

13:20 - Discovering African American Music

16:16 - Graduating from Wesleyan University

18:49 - Moving to New York City

22:06 - Starting Her Band Journey

24:34 - Securing A Record Deal

30:09 - Releasing a New Album After 9 years

34:40 - Sudan’s Future Perspectives

35:54 - Alsarah's Music Journey

39:54 - Artists She Wants go on Tour With

42:12 - Outro