Carnival of Soul

Lauded in Germany for her unique blend of soul, R&B and African folk music, Afro-German singer Joy Denalane makes her U.S. debut today with a new album, Let Yourself Be Loved. The Motown Records (Universal Music Group) star is also releasing a new video with her record, which was inspired by the classic soul sounds of Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Isaac Hayes during the late 1960s to 1973. 

Denalane, hailed “the German queen of soul” by Rolling Stone Germany, chose to recapture the melodies of an era during which soul grew beyond euphoric melodies into a socio-political force of impact reflecting events taking place on the streets. Now amidst a global pandemic, extreme economic decline and racial injustice, the artist hopes that her new twist on a vintage style will inspire a sense of belonging and love throughout the world. 

“I can feel my own pain, my rage, my despair and vulnerability very clearly on this record,” Denalane says in a statement about the current strife facing people around the world. “This music brings these feelings to light and channels them even more than the previous records.”

Growing up as the daughter of a South African father and German mother, Denalane says that she faced cultural division and racial injustice on a regular basis. This was despite the fact that her family lived in Berlin, a city that she says was more accepting than most of biracial couples like her parents. 

Music cultivated a sense of belonging for Denalane, who grew up listening to the hundreds of African and American soul and jazz records that her father collected and played in the family’s living room. On Saturdays she even accompanied him on trips to the record store to keep his library growing. 

“It was a strange thing growing up in a divided city, but on the other side of the wall we lived near, people were not allowed the same freedom that we enjoyed,” Denalane says. “A key role in my education, interest and love of music was my father. I’m grateful that he was who he was.” 

The diverse, cultural influences of soul and hip-hop music have also shaped Denalane’s unique style. Inspired by the sounds of Aretha Franklin, Letta Mbulu and Mary J. Blige, she grew passionate about hip-hop and enjoyed visiting clubs with her two older brothers while the movement took root in Berlin.

“Being a black girl in Germany, I was a minority, so soul music was something that I could relate to. I would see black role models on MTV, which was super important for my own identity and what I was looking at (achieving) for myself,” says the artist, who has since collaborated with the likes of American rappers Raekwon, Lupe Fiasco and Common, and recorded two live albums and five studio albums including today’s release. 

Throughout her career, Denalane has remained intentional about developing and maintaining her own unique style. The release of Let Yourself Be Loved is a celebration of the music that she loves, and a culmination the musician that she has become. It is also a message of confidence to her fans, she says, to rise above societal pressures and realize that, “no matter who you are, trust that you’re good enough.”

Lindsey Lanier, vice president of artists and repertoire (A&R) for Motown Records, applauds Denalane’s accomplishments and says, “The music that Joy has created for this album is bold, timeless and reminiscent of the iconic Motown sound. We are so happy to have her as a part of our Motown family.”