biography

Ear candy is simply not enough. Music is designed to massage the mind and few do it better than Iwanhi. Her range even captivates the casual listener.

Iwanhi bares her soul with a creative flair that captivates her audience. She is able to feel precisely what she delivers simply because she has lived it. "My music reflects what happened in my life and what I've been subjected to. It has allowed me to gather strength," admits the Culver City native.

Her lyrics speak of struggle, conjuring up ancestral images and distant lands. Never far from the bosom of the Motherland, Iwanhi has toured Africa, Jamaica and Europe extensively. These stints included The Gambia, London and Amsterdam where she performed with Steel Pulse, a popular reggae band.

An accomplished vocalist, dancer and percussionist, Iwanhi also studied with Lula Washington, R'Wanda Lewis, Nigerian master drummer Francis Awe and the Senegalese National Ballet. Indigenous people were amazed by her resemblance to the Fulani. "Upon setting foot on African soil, I felt a sense of relief," recalled Iwanhi.

As the melting pot simmers, Iwanhi reveals her recipe, "My music is a blend of cultures but it's uniquely African. How you interpret it depends on what part of the Diaspora you come from." She adds, " If you're from America, you'll easily hear the R&B influence." Although her rhythms are steeped in tribal traditions, her compelling message garners widespread appeal. Iwanhi said, "Through my music, people in the world can sense that there's something wholesome about me."

Inspired by Marcia Griffin, Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt and Burning Spear, Iwanhi formed a band called Stars in Motion. In 1998, she founded Fantastic Voyage, an electrifying dance and drum ensemble. Frenzied crowds are dazzled by this engaging tour-de-force.

Iwanhi's long journey has been a test of her fortitude. She has endured inflated egos, gigs that paid too little or not at all and unsavory parasites who stole master demo tapes on a flight to the islands. Despite these challenges, she has continued to hone her craft.

Three months ago, Iwanhi arranged, produced and recorded a breakthrough CD in Jamaica. The session featured Kwaku Dickerson, Steven Stewart and Norris Webb. "The Professor" mixed some of the tracks in the studio. Several of Iwanhi's original compositions were showcased including one with a Biblical theme entitled Nimrod. Every song is an exotic odyssey.

You Have the Power in Your Hand was written for the King of Swaziland. Iwahni explained, " It was an honor to meet him because I really felt a sense of kinship." Iwanhi is deeply disturbed by the horrendous loss of life in several African countries due to the AIDS epidemic.

Legacy to the Children is dedicated to Iwanhi's nephew because his generation has witnessed so much anguish that has resulted from the senseless cycle of violence. Iwanhi observes, "There's no hope at all, they've given up." Her somber mood abruptly turns to optimism. "He's graduating from Morris Brown College and I'm so proud of him."

Although she won't disclose her age, Iwanhi is a stunning, forty-something woman with chiseled features and thick, wooly dreadlocks that cascade down her neck. "In this business, a lot of doors were shut in my face because of my skin tone," she explained. Iwanhi went on to reveal, "That really hurts but I refuse to change so I speak about it." In a town where sultry sirens are abundant, Iwanhi prefers substance over glamour.

Iwanhi's candor is as apparent as her firm beliefs. On the occasional setback or failed relationship, she recalls, "I've been hurt many times, so Why should I dwell on it?" As a child, she excelled as a swift runner and an agile gymnast. Iwanhi's athletic prowess enhanced her esteem and was a stark contrast to her rejection by a snobbish troop of Girl Scouts. She does however, cherish the unconditional love and support that she receives from her mother. Through it all, Iwanhi admits, " I've learned some basic survival skills."

Away from the rigors of rehearsal, Iwanhi enjoys hiking, gardening and oil painting. Her keen sensitivity is captured on canvas by broad brush strokes that are propelled by a vibrant pallet and a boundless imagination.

Iwanhi would like to establish an arts center for at-risk youth in order to expose them to various cultures. Her philosophy is simple, "You don't have to be a teacher to teach." Assessing the profound impact of such a meaningful encounter, she contends, "If you can just turn one child around, then it's all worth it."

It won't be difficult for Iwanhi to convert new listeners either. She deserves wider recognition because her approach is engaging and unpretentious. Iwanhi is hoping to book a timely tour that would coincide with the promotion and distribution of her latest release. After you hear it --- you'll want it, too!

*Jeffrey Winston is a music critic, poet and free-lance writer based in Southern California. His poignant works have appeared in Bebop & Beyond, The Jazz Journal and The Indiana State University Journal of African American Literature.