Leah Smith
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | SELF
Music
Press
"The highly anticipated solo release from singer/songwriter Leah Smith will soon be available to all. The BEAUTIFULLY MADE EP is a project that speaks to every aspect of a person. In the words of Smith,the message that she wishes to convey through her music is that “real, living hope is accessible to all.”
Smith is definitely an artist to watch.
Here are 2 exclusive tracks from her forthcoming EP, which will be available October 2009. The title track “Beautifully Made” and “Shields and Swords.”
If you’ve been looking for some real, feel good music – then look no further. I love Leah’s sound. Her voice is beautiful. It’s so crisp and refreshing.
So, hear these tracks not just with your ears, but with your heart – as the message Leah conveys in her music is one that will definitely have you going into this week ready to overcome any and everything that comes your way!
“Nothing’s gonna stop me from trying anymore. No, nothing’s gonna keep me from fighting anymore…”
Don’t give up the fight folks! Happy Monday!" - IntellectualSoul.com
"Leah Smith's (former Israel & New Breed member) debut didn't make a big splash but, it's definitely on my up and coming list. Her song's are perfectly blended together as creations of blues, soul, and gospel. Top that off with lyrics that are true to real life trials and testimony...and you have a pretty solid debut. Leah's independent EP, Beautifully Made, was released October 20, 2009. Check out Leah's EP sampler above." - blog.urbanpeephole.com
eah doesn’t stop one hair short of keeping it real for her swiftly growing fan-base with themes like working, not just praying one’s community better, the importance of fighting for family and the conquering of self-esteem issues. Practicality helps drive the lyrics of Leah’s newly released EP entitled, Beautifully Made into the hearts of all its hearers. An odd hodgepodge of six tracks that were seemingly created in a dream-like state are rounded out with the appropriately titled song, “Untitled,” which leads us to the age old phrase; “True beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. Our songstress soothingly points us back to our Beholder and Creator who makes all things and people well. With hope that transcends the complication of mending a million pieces of one’s shattered hearts, who wouldn’t dare that in Him their dreams too would come true?" - Heed Magazine
Philly does it again! Here’s a young, incredibly talented singer who has some serious class and style.
A word about Soul. It is folk. It is the word of the street with spirit and inspiration. It tells the story. It does not ignore the dire straits of life in the streets of a tough, mean urban pressure cooker of a city. Then along comes a gorgeous 20 year old chanteuse who makes it her mission to lift up today’s youth and say it over and over, we are all beautifully made. So “Beautifully Made” is a smart, groovy social statement of the uplifting kind. This album moves like a contemporary fugue in its lyrical structure. Again, that is Soul. And it gives me hope that today’s youth can lead us out of this nasty mess we’ve made. Smith started writing this album when she was 18 years old and still in high school. Certainly, she has a wisdom beyond her years to hold her ground and deliver such a positive example of and for today’s youngsters. Her message is simple, but can’t be overstated: Money, power, physical beauty and connections can’t sustain one’s happiness.
So I’m diggin’ some smooth sounds that dig in and give a positive shout back at today’s deficit and degradation among contemporary youth.
I think the thing that really sold me on Smith is the maturity of her voice. R&B and Soul are not easy to sing. Her voice is trained well beyond its years, so people need to listen and make sure this artist makes the leap beyond the Philadelphia city limits. She is a hidden national treasure. Ruthie Foster, move over! There’s another queen of joy on the horizon!
I want you to get up and move your ass, so turn up “DreamWorld” on the Stave player. - Stave Magazine
Discography
Beautifully Made= EP Released October 20, 2009
Music is played on various online radio stations.
Photos
Bio
There’s a moment that true music lovers cherish when an artist is found that is musically diverse, culturally relevant, visibly accessible, and able to deliver quality music without fail. That moment is reached each time one experiences the sounds of Leah Smith. From acoustic melodies, to heavy hitting beats, orchestral compositions to the stripped down, unplugged sound of a sole piano and vocalist, 21-year-old Leah Smith delivers it all. Her voice effortlessly transitions in and out of high octaves, and her music moves from ballads to hip-hop inspired, upbeat tempos with ease.
Hailing from the streets of North Philadelphia and a product of Philadelphia’s prestigious Creative and Performing Arts High School, music has always been a part of Leah’s life. Smith gave her first vocal solo at the age of 4 and at the age of 9, began singing with the Temple University Program for Gifted Young Musicians. She began recording with the Baltimore based group Sandtown before she was even in a double digit age category and began writing songs at age 11. In 2008, Smith became the winner of the Best of Philly Rising/World Café Live Showcase and released her debut EP entitled Beautifully Made in October 2009 to rave reviews. Smith’s current single, Monster debuted at number 1 on digstation.com within its first week of sales.
Singer/Songwriter/Musician Leah Smith has shared the stage with Grammy Award winning artists such as Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, and Israel Houghton. A former member of Israel Houghton and New Breed, Smith has already toured the United States, Asia, Europe, and Australia. Smith’s music offers a breath of fresh air to the music that mainstream culture has grown accustomed to. Leah Smith wants to share with her listeners that “real, living hope is accessible to all.” Her sound crosses genre barriers blending soul, gospel, pop, and folk musical styles to create a sound all her own. Smith's debut EP Entitled Beautifully Made is in stores now.
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