Album Notes

Aquarian-born GaBrilla Ballard, Singer, Songwriter, Performer, Poet and Producer discovered a love and passion for music and the stage at a very young age while growing up in New Orleans. Grand-daughter of a jazz musician and a Baptist preacher, it is no surprise that this petite powerhouse commands attention with her performances that straddle the worlds between reggae-inspired guitar licks, soul-filled lyrics and protest music.

At four years old, GaBrilla recalls her mother having her recite poetry in front of her church, as well as singing in her church choir throughout her childhood. Music continued to be the bloodline for GaBrilla during her High school years. She was a member and lead vocalist of “ The Rebels”, a rap group she started with two of her high school friends.

Aside fron her musical exploits GaBrilla holds the 1999 New Orleans Poetry slam champ title which led to her being among the youngest to be in the "Gambit Weekly's: 40 under 40" the same year.

In the summer of 2001, the winds of transformation literally blew right though her bedroom window and broke the very neck of the guitar she would later fix, re-string and teach herself to play. This was the beginning of her love-affair with the guitar and songwriting.

In 2002, GaBrilla recorded her first self-titled EP accompanied by Oakland Percussionist Kele Nitoto, with a guest production appearance by Casamena on song "A Part of Me". This EP was released through her production company, Ascension Creations Productions.

In 2003, GaBrilla met bassist Weldon Hall and drummer Geneva Luzula, who would soon become the band "The Bloodlyne" which gave her music the added funk and soul that call to mind Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye and The Meters.

GaBrilla has shared stages as both singer and poet with International Musicians, Les Nubians at the House of Blues N.O., Sonia Sanchez, Sparlha Swa, Medusa, Casamena and Steel Pulse.

GaBrilla is also featured on Casamena's " Hip- Hop Meditations", Bionik Brown‘s “ The Darkness and the Light“ and Ner City‘s “Product of the Product“ .

GaBrilla has recently completed her debut album "Urban Angel Songs", both as singer/songwriter and producer.

She is also a founding artist of EMANICIPATE, an initiative bringing together women musicians who are activists in their communities and connecting them with community organizations with the goal of solidarity and collaboration. EMANCIPATE uses song as a focal point of community solidarity, protest, and activism.

Combined with her music, GaBrilla is delightfully consumed with being a wonderful mama to her 2 and 1/2 year-old son, Omer.