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Inspiration August 17, 2018
Say hello to the music industry's next big thing.
Image via Instagram / @yebbasmithYEBBA has the type of voice that only comes around once in a lifetime. The raw emotion she puts into every performance demands full attention. Each time she sings about heartbreak, it feels like she’s reliving the experience at that very moment.
For those who haven’t heard of this powerhouse vocalist, YEBBA is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter that hails from Arkansas. After years of performing at small-scale venues and posting the occasional YouTube cover, she’s found her way into the spotlight. Here are five facts you should know about the music industry’s next big hit.
In 2016, YEBBA lost her mother to suicide. She wrote a poignant Facebook post explaining that she would officially change her stage name to “YEBBA.” The singer explained:
“The first time I ever wrote my name was on a 2-octave keyboard my parents gave me. I wrote everything backwards. ‘YEBBA’ sloppily became my signature, instead of ‘Abbey’. My mom saw this, and… being the comedian she thought she was, she began to call me her ‘YEBBA’.
“…Out of love and respect for my mother and life itself, I’m changing my artist name to YEBBA. I’m making a promise to keep searching for my own reflection. To me, this is not a stage name; it’s not an alter ego; it’s not some great declaration. This is who I am. This is my reflection.”
This is less of a fact and more of a request for everyone to stop what they’re doing and listen to this song. On September 30, 2016, YEBBA blessed the world with a live performance of “My Mind” at Sofar New York.
YEBBA’s vocal control is out of this world. If you don’t know what good riffing sounds like, prepare to be amazed. This woman is the real deal.
YEBBA has received the golden stamp of approval from several well-established artists. She was a featured artist on Sam Smith’s most recent album, “The Thrill of It All.” The two sang a stunning duet called “No Peace.”
In 2016, she joined Chance the Rapper, John Legend, Eryn Allen Kane, Francis Starlite and Macie Stewart for a performance of “Same Drugs” on SNL. Chance later acknowledged the singer in a tweet, claiming that she was “stealing the show with her ridiculous vocals.”
If that wasn’t already enough, A Tribe Called Quest also got in on the action. The group featured YEBBA on their song “Melatonin” from the studio album “We Got It From Here… Thank You 4 Your Service.”
These gospel greats have had an enormous impact on YEBBA’s style. You can almost hear them in her voice. YEBBA credits the Clark Sisters for her vocal prowess, citing them as her heroes and #number1influencers.
She wrote on Instagram: “This family’s music made me come to know Jesus. Anything I’ve learned about singing has been from TRYING to mimic them.”
Records like “Nothing to Lose,” “Jesus Lifted Me,” “You Brought the Sunshine,” “The Darkest Hour is Just Before the Day” and “Jesus is a Love Song” are some of her favorites.
After a long wait, YEBBA released her debut single “Evergreen” on October 27, 2017. With the help of gospel backup vocals, she really takes listeners to church.
Limited Edition Evergreen vinyl with A & B sides were also available for pre-order. As always, YEBBA brings her old-school flair to everything she does.
There’s no doubt that YEBBA has a bright future ahead of her. It’s refreshing to hear a young artist with such soulful, timeless vocals. She sings with palpable pain, passion and hope, and there’s an incredible clarity in her voice. It demands attention.
From her unique stage name to her breathtaking performances, YEBBA is truly one-of-a-kind. We eagerly await new music from her.
In the meantime, catch us listening to “Evergreen,” “My Mind” and “No Peace.”
