Adina Howard Opens Up About Her Greatest Achievement: Resurrection
Having rose to fame in the mid-nineties, largely due to her smash hit single, “Freak Like Me,” taken from her gold certified debut solo outing, Do You Wanna Ride?, native Grand Rapids, Michigan, singer-songwriter-restaurateur Adina Howard went from a household name to a hard to find talent. While she made waves with the single and corresponding visual, Adina Howard’s second project was unreleased. She didn’t emerge on the scene again until 2004 with The Second Coming. In 2007 she released Private Show, her third album, but again, she left fans wondering where she had gone.
Now the singer is finally back after nearly ten long years with her full-length studio collection, the appropriately titled, Resurrection. The album was released on Friday April 14th. We caught up with the singer to talk about the new album, the new single “Blasphemy” and much more.
Parlé Mag: “Blasphemy” comes courtesy of your eagerly awaited fourth solo LP, Resurrection. Although pretty self-explanatory, tell me, conceptually, what that title represents both to and for you?
Adina Howard: Rebirth, rising above, overcoming, being created anew. This album I am the Phoenix rising from the ashes. Blazing a new path, opening new doors and walking through them. No longer caged by my past, I have been set free to thrive and will do exactly that.
Parlé Mag: How then does Resurrection either differ and/or compare to previous Adina Howard efforts?
Adina Howard: Resurrection differs because I am 100% in control of the process. It differs because I have grown in spirit, mind and gift, so, I am no longer who I used to be, yet I am me. Still embracing my carnal nature, so I had to give you all a touch of sex and sensuality as the other albums, and like all the other albums I’m staying true to who I am with a love it or kick rocks attitude.
Parlé Mag: Speaking of Resurrection, it follows nearly a full decade after your last solo record, 2007’s Private Show. Why exactly did it take you so long in order to finally return to making music?
Adina Howard: Things weren’t in alignment. A great deal of adding and subtracting had to take place in my life. The pruning process.
Parlé Mag: So then, what was it about NOW, specifically in 2017, that prompted your decision to make this “official” comeback?
Adina Howard: The Divine gave me the green light. Everything was/is in alignment. I am where I am supposed to be in every facet of my life.
Parlé Mag: In having said that, what all had/have you been up to, both personally and professionally speaking, during your lengthy musical hiatus?
Adina Howard: My personal life, I went back to school and obtained my Associate degree in Culinary Arts. Became a line cook for over a year and said “I do” in 2011. My professional life, I continued to perform on the road, worked with a few producers and songwriters and released a couple of songs; “Switch” and “Bad 4 Me,” and silently crafted the Resurrection album.
Parlé Mag: Reflecting, how did you first discover your musical talent?
Adina Howard: My mother. She heard my gift as a child and helped nurture it because of her ears, I could hear.
Parlé Mag: Who has been your greatest inspirations musically, and why?
Adina Howard: My greatest inspirations musically came from multiple sources. My mother, Gladys Knight, Lalah Hathaway, Madonna, Prince, Minnie Riperton, etcetera.
Parlé Mag: Longevity, what do you attribute yours to?
Adina Howard: Having divine purpose.
Parlé Mag: Do you have any other outside/additional aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
Adina Howard: I love cooking, as well as interior styling a.k.a. decorating. Those two things move my soul.
Parlé Mag: I know Resurrection just came out on Indelible Enterprises, Inc., is this your very own label venture?
Adina Howard: Yes, Indelible is my very own label venture!
Parlé Mag: What are your future plans and/or goals for the imprint?
Adina Howard: Right now, Indelible is used as an outlet for me to do me, all the while giving others an opportunity to get their foot in the door.
Parlé Mag: What has been your greatest achievement(s), at least thus far anyway?Adina Howard: Resurrection is my greatest achievement thus far.
Parlé Mag: One track of yours that you think defines you, and why?
Adina Howard: The song “Work” off of Resurrection, because the song to me is saying, “I can show you better than I can tell you.” I work for what I want. I believe that in order to achieve, you have to sow seeds and do what is necessary to help bring it to life, even if I have to do it on my own.
Listen To “Work” featuring King Gas below:
Parlé Mag: Lastly, following you super successful premiere entry, Do You Wanna Ride?, back when you were still inked to Mecca Don/EastWest Records, plans were firmly in place for what was, then considered to be, your highly anticipated sophomore album, Welcome to Fantasy Island, which ultimately ended up shelved indefinitely — Care to break down what even happened with that entire situation?
Adina Howard: Not really…however, I will say this, that setback set me up for the success I am experiencing today. Man’s rejection is the Divine’s protection.
Parlé Mag: Any “closing” thoughts for our readers?
Adina Howard: Love yourself more, and watch the seeds you sow because they will grow. Weeds or flowers, your choice.
And, please, check out my new video “Blasphemy” on: Youtube.com/adinahowardpage
Browse my website at: adinahoward.com
Follow me on social media
Twitter: @adinahoward
Facebook/adinahoward
Instagram/therealadinahoward
SoundCloud/adinahoward
LinkedIn/adinahoward
Be better than good to yourselves, blessings!
Photo Credit:
Main Image: Cynthia Halverson
Additional Images: Colby Files Photography
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