This week I’m ecstatic to share my recent interview with Atlanta native, Algebra Blessett. Algebra has a wealth of experience in the music industry. She was nominated for a Grammy for her writing for India Arie, she has recorded with several soul artists including Eric Roberson and Anthony Hamilton and she has toured throughout the United States and abroad. Algebra also earned a SoulTracks award in 2008, the same year that she released her debut album, Purpose. Purpose is a definite must-have and if you still haven’t purchased it yet, you’re really missing something special.

Do you know how you can tell that you’ve found a great album? I sure do. You like it so much that you can’t stop talking about it. You find yourself humming verses randomly. You play it when you’ve had a great day. You even play it when you don’t feel like talking to anyone. You respond that way because it has more than just nice beats and arrangements. It has lyrics that hit home (as my older relatives say), and the artist’s depictions of life events are so relatable that you don’t get tired of listening. And, each time you do listen, you gain a different appreciation of the music. Such an effect doesn’t happen often with albums, but when it does, you definitely remember. Two years after purchasing Purpose, I’m still playing it, without skipping a song.

I was glad for the opportunity to interview Algebra because her sound is such a rare find. In fact, to compare her music to that of any other artist would discredit the value of her work. It took me several days to find the right word to describe her music, but I finally found it. Authentic. Webster defines authentic as “not counterfeit or copied” and adds that authentic things are “actually and exactly what they claim to be”. You need only to listen to Algebra’s album and watch an Algebra show to see that her music is indeed authentic. She brings an unduplicated realness that fills the void we have in music today. And she does it with a cool sincerity that makes you instantly like her style. After an absolutely wonderful interview with her, one that I admit felt more like a conversation with a friend than a question/answer session, I can say that Algebra’s album, live performances and conversation are equally authentic. She is the same relatable artist in any setting.

Here’s what she shared during the interview about her album, lessons learned and her favorite music.

Mimi Soul: First, I have to say that if it’s possible to play the words off a cd, I think I may have done it with yours.

Algebra: Thank you very very much.

Mimi Soul: You’re very welcome. What are some of the things that inspire and influence your music?

Algebra: Life. That’s about it. I just talk about things that I’ve gone through, that I wanna go through, or that I’m going through at the moment. And of course friends, family, roadside assistance, whatever happens in life. I’m an advocate of art imitating life and life imitating art. So, my biggest thing is to try to stay inspired by whatever it is that creates an emotion.

Mimi Soul: Now, did you just say roadside assistance?

Algebra: Yes I did (laughing)

Mimi Soul: I’m curious about how you could create a song about that.

Algebra: Man, it’s easy. (laughing) Things happen. That’s where the music comes from. That’s where the sanity comes from because I think in songs you can kinda put it all together and release it. You can put all the craziness and common things in your life there and just express it.

Mimi Soul: What do you want people to take from your music when they hear it?

Algebra: My biggest goal with this first album was to conjure up some type of emotion with every song. I’m on my first record and working on the second one and I always call that first record a rollercoaster ride. There were so many different emotions I was going through so if I could evoke that in somebody else, I felt like I accomplished something. That first record, Purpose was just what it was. I had a lot of things to say and to get out. I didn’t wanna be preachy about it. It was my way of letting people know about me and my life and my artistic way. A lot of people thought the record was pseudo-sad but it was such a happy time for me. I was singing about the love lost and about the things that don’t necessarily put a smile on your face but you best believe every time I sing those lyrics I’m smiling from ear to ear.

Mimi Soul: One of my favorite songs on the album is Now & Then. Using that concept, how would you say your music has evolved, meaning Algebra’s music now compared to Algebra’s music then, or years ago?

Algebra: I really like that question because one of my favorite songs on the album is Now & Then. That song came about because at the time and still now, I was being compared to so many other wonderful artists. It’s hard when you deem something your own and it’s so easy for someone that you don’t know to strip your title from it and tag somebody else’s name on it. I think a lot of people do that with their heart as well. So, the song came about and it was just me saying that I’m not gonna change. Whatever I was back then, I’m gonna stay that. I’m just gonna grow. At the end of the day, I’m evolving not because anyone else feels like I need to. I’m gonna do that regardless because that’s what we’re supposed to do as living beings. We’re supposed to grow, change and evolve. So, if there is a difference, it’s maintaining the integrity throughout the series of my life. So, the difference is really being the same but being the same differently. I have to stay me and stay true to myself. I know me, I know my heart and I know my worth. I’m worth a million bucks with five dollars and I’m worth a million bucks with a million bucks.

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