Album Notes

With a rich, soulful voice, thought provoking lyrics, and a powerful stage presence, Gina Loring is in a league of her own. The top ranking female poet at the 2002 National Poetry Slam, she was featured on two seasons of HBO's Russell Simmons' Def Poetry and BET's Lyric Cafe. Following several showcases produced by Norman Lear, she was hired as a writer/ performer on his "Declare Yourself" tour. In conjunction with Diddy's "Vote or Die" campaign and Rock the Vote, Gina helped to register thousands of young voters. She was also a featured vocalist/songwriter on the Brand New Heavies album "We Won't Stop" and has been mentored by such artists as Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch and Marla Gibbs. Gina's most recent endeavor was a trip to Kuwait City, Kuwait, as a guest of the American Embassy's cultural arts initiative. While there, she appeared on “Good Morning Kuwait” and Kuwait's version of TRL, “Raikum Shabab,” performed her original music to packed crowds, and conducted several poetry workshops. According to the American Embassy and Kuwaiti records, Gina made history as the first American hip hop artist to perform in Kuwait.

A graduate of Spelman College, Gina performed with their award-winning Jazz Ensemble, Glee Club and Theater Ensemble and also attended Columbia University, where she studied under renowned Hip Hop historian Michael Eric Dyson. A gifted actress, Gina starred in a production of George C. Wolfe's "The Colored Museum" and various theatrical shorts during her time in the Atlanta/ Tri-State areas. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Gina would like to follow in the footsteps of such pioneers as Ruby Dee and Lena Horne in positively contributing through her art.

With musical influences ranging from classic Hip Hop to Nina Simone, her highly reflective lyrics demonstrate her ability to reveal the intimate. Encompassing such subjects as love, spirituality and social activism, her work is raw and passionate, yet always presented with the grace that seems inherent in this young woman's spirit. She is the daughter of actor William Marshall, cousin of actor Paul Winfield and Jazz composer/musician Teddy Edwards Sr., and she would like to dedicate her work to their memory. Above all else, Gina lives, creates and moves forward in honor of the life of her brother, Malcolm Marshall.