Genre: R&B/Soul/Neo Soul
Label: Afi Soul Recordings / Pro Music Records
UPC: 711574627325
MSRP: $4.99
Afi Soul
“Afi Soul” Lydia is the critically acclaimed R&B/Soul singer whose 2007 self-distributed album, Lovely, landed the No. 10 spot on the SoulTracks Top 10 CDs list, putting her in a class with Erykah Badu, Angela Johnson, Algebra and Raheem DeVaughn. Many consider her supportive anthem for the ‘brothas’ -- “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” -- Afi’s signature tune. The music video for that single stayed in rotation on BETJ and VH1 Soul for months, and was featured on VH1Soul.com.
Renewed interest in Afi Soul‘s debut offering prompted a 2010 re-release, led by “Sorry (Gotta Go),” a no nonsense hit that asserts a woman’s independence. A music video for Sorry has made its way quickly across the Internet in 2011, and Afi is in the studio again, completing a brand new CD project.
Afi has also performed at numerous live music venues on DC’s famed “U” Street over the past ten years, including a lengthy stint as a headliner at Cada Vez Nightclub. She was nominated for a WAMMIE (Washington Area Music Association Award) under the Best Contemporary Artist category in 2004. Afi has received several local awards in the D.C. arts community including the DMV Music & Entertainment Award for Most Likely to Succeed in 2006 and a nomination for the Best Female Artist in 2007. Fans began to refer to her as “Afi Soul” and the nickname has lasted!
The inspiration behind Afi’s songs is her life experiences as a young Black woman living in today’s world. She grew up in Washington, DC when it was simultaneously the nation’s capital, and defamed as “the murder capital” and seat of a major drug epidemic, yet also home of a thriving music and arts scene infused with Soul/R&B, African, Caribbean, southern gospel and jazz influences. Afi has been performing since childhood. She is a single mother of three beautiful daughters and a son -- twins Serwah and Soyini, Makeda and Kwame Kalonji. Afi has continued to persevere, to record beautiful, honest music, and to perform domestically and abroad to fulfill her destiny as an artist of global renown.
Critics agreed that Lovely was a great debut album and praised Afi’s vocal and songwriting talents:
This new Washington, DC female singer is going to please the Organic Soulsters and many more as well. Vocally she sounds similar to N’Dambi in places and Jill Scott in others.
-Soul Brothers Records, London
Lovely defines the spirit of this very talented singer, songwriter, producer, arranger and creative director. Afi's passion for music invites the listener to a fun-filled experience, which places her in direct competition with a select group of neo-soul sirens like Angie Stone and India.Arie. Lovely displays a versatile singing style absent from many contemporary neo-soul projects. Afi brings a different kind of energy to each song she sings. She finds the pocket of the rhythm and sticks to it.
-Akim Bryant, SoulTracks.com
Lovely is being independently distributed in stores and online throughout the U.S. and abroad. International listeners from Australia, to Japan, to the UK and Cote d’Ivoire have purchased Lovely through iTunes, Rhapsody (Verizon), Ruckus, Cdbaby.com, Amazon.com and Napster.
Afi’s performance highlights include
Carter Barron Amphitheatre - DC 2010
Ben’s Next Door- DC 2010
Soul Sista’s Juke Joint - Atlanta 2010
International Soul Music Summit Artist Showcase - Atlanta 2009
Artmosphere - DC 2007 - 2009
Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo - Baltimore 2006 - 2010
D.C. Hip Hop Soul Festival - DC 2008 (930 Club)
Speak to Me performance series - Philadelphia 2008 (Philadelphia Clef Club)
Various venues Cote d’Ivoire 2008
Happily Natural Day Festival - Richmond 2008
Art Speaks Life benefit, Opened for Common - DC 2007(Mirrors Nightclub)
Can A Sista Rock A Mic Festival - DC 2005 - 2008 (Zanzibar, 18th Street Lounge etc/)
Seagram’s Gin Tour - 2005 DC (930 Club), Philly (The Troc) featuring Raheem DeVaughn Baltimore, NYC (BB King’s) and Lil’ Mo
For booking information or media inquiries please contact Lamar Lee-Kane at 202-600-0859 or Kaneentertainment@gmail.com
