Introducing Selah! Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as Tiara Crawford. This singer/SONGWRITER was born to become a huge appreciate and lover of music, and ultimately an accomplished and sought after songwriter of her times! ( Selah Writes and vocally produces and arranges all of her music)If you asked Tiara Crawford what you would find when you looked up the word “Selah,†she would most likely grin, tilt her head the side a bit, and with that right eyebrow raised ever so slightly, she would say “a picture of my face.†She’d probably spare you the details and get straight to the reason. “The word Selah is most noted to be found in the book of Psalms in the Bible. Researches believe it was used as a symbol to ‘rest and reflect’ what was said or ‘sung.’ Others believe it meant “so be it- or in agreement. But what’s most remembered about the word Selah, is that it is officially UNDEFINABLE! This is how I feel about myself. I often say that I am a complete contradiction to my own self. Because of this, it’s extremely hard for someone to put a figure on who I truly am…there is no one box, circle, or group you can place me in, with out hesitating to put me into another. I am in my own words….Indescribable….indefinable….I am…. Selah!†As a child raised in the church, Selah used to get into trouble every Sunday for wandering off during service to go sit by the pianist to watch her sing and play during church. That is, until one day, the pianist allowed her to sit with her at the piano, and sing along with the choir. That same pianist is now her God-Mother who traveled all around Tulsa for years, with her gospel band performing at different events, coating Selah with the passion of song! Those memories are what sparked Selah's love and ambition to teach herself how to play the piano and guitar to express in her own words, Selah. Selah's Grandmother, mother of six, raised a musical family. "I can remember mornings sitting under the covers in my mother's bed, watching and listening in excitement as my mother and all of my aunties got ready for the day. They all sounded like unreachable angels to me, harmonizing together in the bathroom mirror, letting me make all the selections for the next song!†As Selah grew older she spent more time with her father’s mother who also encouraged her in song. “I can remember waking up to my grandmother’s voice in the kitchen for what seemed to be forever, she would be in worship with song, rebuking demons and praising God while praying; singing old Mississippi spirituals and hems…it was like this every morning.†Selah's mother and father, carry the gift of song. “My mom's voice still soothes me in my dreams. Although she doesn't do it often, I love to here her sing!†I remember being so proud to have my dad sing lead with his Mason Group. I would always whisper down the church isles and point, 'That’s My Daddy!'" Both of Selah's parents inspired and passed on the torch of song to her and her younger brother, but it was her two Grandmothers and twin aunt's, and god-mother who sparked the flame. Growing up, watching her Grandmother (her Mother's Mom) bellow from the depths of her soul, faithfully "ushering in the Holly Ghost " whether it be in the congregation audience or in the mass choir on Sunday Mornings, then watching her two Aunts who were Identical Twins, with identical voices, capture church audiences around Tulsa in awe with their phenomenal ability to cascade, what seemed to be, magical notes and harmonies with the same soul stirring power of their mother. Since birth, anything to do with creation came natural to Selah. Writing was one of her favorites. "I can remember late at night, sneaking in my drawer for pencils to write down lyrics that would come to me while I was lying down or sleeping. My dad would always scream out my name, and ask if I was sleeping how come he could here me! So I started keeping little note pads under my pillow. To this day I can write in the dark in a straight line!" Growing up into her teens, Selah had made great accomplishments with her writing ability. From poetry, short stories to published work, and articles, Selah had left a mark on her home town that everyone could read! In high school, Selah would often skip class to teach herself how to play the piano. “I used to spend a lot of time alone at school- I was weird! But I always had my music to help me deal with things. Soon Selah started teaching her lyrics to fellow students, and singing groups for auditions in shows. It wasn’t long before the sound of the piano and other singers could be heard ringing through the halls, blasting the songs of Selah on any given lunch period. In college Selah could be seen roaming the campus around 3am on her nightly break-in into the schools arts building, to sneak into the piano lab. “It was wrong and dangerous, I know, but I couldn’t help myself! I had my favorite piano too!†“I had to wait until closing to leave certain doors unlocked or propped with twigs. I would then sit in the dark for hours just before the janitors arrived, practicing in the pitch dark so that I couldn’t see my fingers….I would just feel the music.†It wasn’t until 2006 that Selah finally faced the reality of her hearts desire-Music. She vowed not to let her own doubts and insecurities about her voice nor anyone else’s opinions steer her from what she loved to do most-Create and Express through the beautiful gift of song. Now Selah is networking with many different talented Musical Artist and Producers to help bring her dream to life. It won’t be much longer when the music world recognizes the name of Selah. But most importantly…. it won’t be much longer at all before they respect it.To view some of Selah's Hand Made Fashion Designs and Listen to what Selah calls GOOD MUSIC:-) Be sure to check out Selah's "Hottest Ish of The Week!" Page @ www.myspace.com/selahcouture.
Create Your Own!
