"If you havent heard of Lili Wilson, you havent heard a refreshing voice that croons a harmonious mix of alternative soul and indie style. One of the many underground artists that oozes raw talent, creativity and substance, novices and musicologists alike would agree that she is a diamond in the rough deserving of the spotlight." - Giselle McBee...........
Also known as "Sweet Lili," sweet describes her vocal tone and personality, and Lili is the name she gave herself in second grade as a way to define herself. She jokes, "because my name was too long to fit on a personalized Madness hat." Bold and unique, Lili has always stood out in crowd, pulling off fashion stunts and making statements that no one else would dare attempt. Her music is no deviation.
Singing and composing since the age of 2, her first song, "I can do it by myself" became a household hit. Lilis first solo was at age 4, when in her high-pitched innocent voice, she nailed Cyndi Laupers part on "We are the World" in front of a couple thousand people. Over the years, Lili would try to engage formal training, but would get bored. Therefore, the church and school choirs and local productions served as her training. With these groups, Lili traveled with choirs across the US and abroad and performed with the likes of Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Bolton, and was a featured soloist on the Disney Channel's Teacher Awards. During this time, she came up with all kinds of melodies in her head, but barely wrote them down. "I could've had a hit by now!" she jokingly reminisces.
A native of Washington, DC, Lili's church background were preparation for her musical endeavors. Nonetheless, the years she spent in Atlanta also played an integral role in her musical shaping. In Atlanta, she found herself at home with local gospel artists, as a featured background vocalist and soloist. In 1997, she lent her talent to B. Chase Williams and Shabach on "Give It Up", and more recently, with William Murphy on "One Pure and Holy Passion". Nonetheless, her biggest accomplishment in Atlanta was as a member of Freestyle Nation, when she gained novel acclaim for her vocals on "Fantasy" (Freeversation, 2002). In 2003, she departed from the band to get clarity and focus for her purpose. She soon realized that she could not shake music.
Now more driven than ever, it is more apparent that Lili has to share her music with the world. Listen closely, and you will hear the influence of the spirit and positive messages of her gospel background, the heart and soul of soul music, and the feel-good energy of alternative. "Can I make up a category called soul-terna-pop?" Lili jokes, but is serious about defining her sound. She sees music as a way to express freely, and to explore topics that might be deemed as controversial in traditional religious settings.
It is obvious that Lili Wilson is determined to chart her own course. Citing other females that have blazed a trail by combining various genres, her influences include: Ms. Hill (Lauryn), Gwen Stefani, Natasha Bedingfield, Bjork, and Esthero. Raised in the church, there is definitely the pressure from her peers to classify herself as a gospel artist. To that she responds, "music is supposed to inspire. If it does what it's supposed to, people will get it."
*******"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet."- Shakespeare's Romeo et Juliette*******..
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