Books, the SoulScholar
Media; Multi Arts; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Dance, Music, Theatre, Vocal; Visual Arts: Media and Visual Communications, Performers and Writers
Originally from Nashville, TN, Books draws her inspiration from a blend of gospel, soul, funk, and blues. Ever eclectic, she enjoys, and draws inspiration from, a variety of music artists and genres, including Donny Hathaway, Sarah McLachlan, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Billy Joel, Yussef Lateef, J. Dilla, John Legend, Maurice White, Ella Fitzgerald, Ledisi, Hiatus Kaiyote, Jill Scott, and many more. Books has shared her music with audiences in the US and abroad for over 15 years. She credits her parents and close friends as inspirations, motivating and encouraging her evolution, growth, and continued journey as an artist.
Ever the scholar, Books has always been studious and hungry to learn whatever she can, which led to her embrace of the nickname “Books.” She adopted the title of the SoulScholar later, as early collaborators felt her passion and energy and hunger to constantly better herself musically. Before diving completely into her artistry, Books formerly blessed stages as Brandi Nicole and regularly lent her voice as a guest feature with ensembles and choirs that opened for musical acts like Con Funk Shun, CeCe Winans, Kelly Clarkson, and Pentatonix.
In the early 2000s, her voice was the melodic backbone for the Regal Records camp, which included collaborations with Yung Nawlege, Big Flex, and Daniel Hayes. Books is a classically trained musician and dancer. She was a regular feature for Jazz celebrations in middle Tennessee. The original BB King’s and the Funnybone comedy club on Historic Beale street were home to her in the mid 2000s. Books’ voice has taken her as far as Germany, as a featured soloist at the SACCRA International Music Festival.
In the few years leading up to her full-time artistry as Books, the SoulScholar, she was an original member of the “Women of Rock and Soul” trio that successfully toured across the Midwest. Once she fully embraced the power in her voice and distinctive style, she began her journey full time and started work on her first projects as Books, the SoulScholar. Books then joined Planet Boom Bap on their debut album “Parallel Universe” as musician, songwriter, and lead vocalist.
In 2016, Books, the SoulScholar decided that the world needed her original music and has since been focused on building her audience as a solo artist. Books has performed for packed audiences at highly anticipated events like the Women:317 series, The Underground, and The Green House Affect. Her music, including 2017’s “Charm Bracelet,” is on regular rotation across radio outlets like the IndiePennedIt Radio Show, Nuu Beat Radio, Brother, Brother Beer Cast, and the Subjective Comedy Podcast. An “old soul,” but a child of the 90s, she continues to mix in her love of jazz, hip-hop, singer-songwriter, and R&B. Her debut EP, “Songs in the Key of June” hits all major music outlets October 2018 and her full-length project, “the SoulScholar” will debut early 2019. Her singles, including “Charm Bracelet” are streaming across all music platforms.
