BIOGRAPHY
O-siyo, unali-i (greetings, friends)! My name is Wodige Wehali (Wo') from Georgia. Of African and Native American descent, I am a composer, singer/songwriter, musician, storyteller, videographer, photographer, and graphics artist. My music can be best described as eclectic, ranging from Native American-inspired to contemporary R&B, with some blues, rock, techno and world beat thrown into the mix.
My releases with The Fellas (FUNKY MOUNTAIN, WISHBONE and FLIPSIDE) reflect my diverse musical tastes from contemporary R&B to acid jazz with the addition of Native American instrumentation such as Native flute and powwow drumming. "The Medicine Way" from FUNKY MOUNTAIN sums up my philosophy of travelling the Red Road, finding and using one's unique Medicine to journey through this life."There Is Love"(the fruit and vegetable song) from FLIPSIDE is a perennial favorite with its Caribbean rhythms and lilting vocals. It tells the tale of finding love at a fruit and vegetable stand. "Coyote Music" from WISHBONE features the mellow, haunting sounds of the Native flute in a tribute to the lonesome coyotes of the American Southwest. "Across a Crowded Room" from WISHBONE is an acid jazz/hip hop offering recorded with German rapper Vanessa Morlok (a.k.a. MC Kamikatze) and will definitely make you dance!
On TSALAGI CITIZEN (under the name Wodige Wehali), you will again hear the haunting call of the Native American flute in more traditional musical setting, along with the heartbeat of powwow and sweat lodge drums, the jingle of dancing ankle bells, petrified rock percussion, and improvisational chanting, all in the spirit of the Aniyvwiya, the Principal People, the Cherokee.
RED CLAY: THE FIRST EXPERIENCES (recorded under the pseudonym Nevare Domani [neh VAH ray doh MAH nee]) recounts the glory and tragedy of the Cherokee under the theme of Red Clay, the site of the final council grounds for the Principal People prior to the Removal in 1838. Orchestral and popular elements set the stage for vocals, Native flute, and hand drums.
BEYOND THE HORIZON is an international collaboration between myself and Italian poet Ilaria Caobelli featuring Ilaria's evocative spoken word over Native American-inspired sonic landscapes (see my WODIGE WEHALI artist page for more information).
My self-produced video for "Coyote Music" won a MAGA Film award in 2007. In 2008, I led a local 8,000 drums ceremony for Mother Earth in Georgia. That same year, I provided music for a Native blessing of the river in my community. My music has been featured in several independent Native American educational videos, including ones produced by John "Wind" Surridge (Lakota). I have performed with other Native American artists such as Joseph and Laralyn Riverwind of The Blessed Blend (of Taino and Cherokee-Scottish heritages respectively). I had the honor of meeting R. Carlos Nakai, Arvel Bird, Robert Mirabal, and Tommy Wildcat.
I have been a member of the International Native American Flute Association, the Contemporary Arts Exchange in Macon, GA, and run a private studio christened KIVA where I record, set up shows and musical programs, and host jam sessions. I want to share the gifts the Great Spirit bestowed upon me, and help bring together musicians of all cultures. To me, that's what it's all about!
Dohiyi (peace)!
Wo’
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