Accessibility links
Shemekia Copeland Shemekia Copeland artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music

Shemekia Copeland

Shemekia Copeland: Almost Unplugged

Shemekia Copeland. Carol Friedman hide caption

toggle caption
Carol Friedman

Favorite Sessions

Shemekia Copeland: Almost Unplugged

KNKX Public Radio

When the young blues singer performs with a band, it's almost guaranteed to be an electrifying experience. But at Jazz24, Copeland came with just her voice and a guitarist. It was a rare opportunity to hear her powerful and soulful voice on its own.

Shemekia Copeland In Studio On KPLU 7/8/09

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112406439/112403946" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

World Cafe

Shemekia Copeland: A New Age Of Blues

XPN

Ever since the new "Queen of Blues" made her debut at age 19, she's been working to re-create the blues for a new generation. On Copeland's latest release, Never Going Back, she incorporates pop and jazz into her soulful singing, which conveys a message of inspiration and empowerment for the modern woman.

Shemekia Copeland in Studio on World Cafe 4/17/09

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/103168742/103168739" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Concerts

Indigo Girls And Shemekia Copeland In Concert

XPN

It's been 20 years since the Grammy-winning folk-pop duo Indigo Girls released its major-label breakthrough, achieving instant notoriety for "Closer to Fine." Since then, it's released a long string of warmly received, independent-minded CDs. Hear Indigo Girls perform live in concert from WXPN in Philadelphia, followed by Shemekia Copeland.

Indigo Girls And Shemekia Copeland In Concert

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/101514465/101550948" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Music Interviews

Shemekia Copeland: The Joy Of Singing Blues

Copeland knows the blues, but maintains that singing it doesn't have to be sad. Some of the songs on her new album, Never Going Back, touch on hardship and loss. But she focuses on empowerment instead of wallowing in defeat.

Shemekia Copeland: The Joy Of Singing Blues

Listen · 10:04
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/100940791/100980056" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Music Interviews

Shemekia Copeland, Telling 'The Soul Truth'

Blueswoman Shemekia Copeland's voice rings rich with attitude and soul. The singer talks with Debbie Elliott about her new album, The Soul Truth, and why her lyrics tell stories of strong women standing up for themselves.

Shemekia Copeland, Telling 'The Soul Truth'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4933286/4933300" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript