Daily Inspiration: Meet Gbeke

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gbeke . 

Hi Gbeke, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was 5, my family and I were spending quality time together looking for something to watch on TV. We were in the middle of a storm, and my parents didn’t believe in cable so our options were limited. Luckily, we found a music program titled ‘Disco Ball,’ which featured artists including Usher, Gloria Gaynor, and KC and the Sunshine Band, who performed disco and funk tributes. Each rendition left me in awe, and I was inspired to do the same. Additionally, my dad heavily influenced my musical taste and interest due to his extensive collection of oldies records. 

I learned songs by Madonna, Sade, and Alicia Keys and would perform that at school, in talent shows, and at family gatherings. I began writing music at 12 years old, kept at it in high school, and in my second year of college, I released my first single. After that, I began building momentum with singles, EPs, and music videos that received international acclaim. I am no stranger to live performances and have performed at various venues across the US and Nigeria. Last year, I entered a music contest and won a slot to perform at Made in America, and that has been my greatest achievement to date. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to achieving my wildest dreams has not been completely smooth, but I don’t think I would appreciate the journey as much had it not been filled with the challenges that I overcame. 

Since I started releasing music in 2017, I have dealt with a lot of sexism, which is a major societal issue that I am an advocate of. Men at various events have subjectified me, disrespected me, or not taken me seriously since I am a woman. I get treated differently than the average male artist, and have to be conscious of what I do, wear, and say. Alongside that were normal struggles that most artists encounter as they come up, including having to balance a full-time job and school, not having the right connections, getting cheated out of money (royalties), etc. The journey had once grown so tough that I questioned if it was even worth it to continue. Somehow, I kept going, and I will keep going because I have learned so much along the way that will continue to propel me and my music forward. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am Gbeke (pronounced Beck-eh), and I am an international musician from the Valley. I specialize in R&B music, and I write all of my own music and collaborate with producers all over the world. My music is unique because of the serious topics I cover, and the fact that I tap into multiple genres. I have created Afrobeat, Gospel, and Alternative jams, and am most known for my singles ‘Hold U Tight,’ and ‘FORGIVEANDFORGET.’ 

I am most proud of taking a stand for sexual assault survivors in my EP, ‘R.A.P.E.’ (Rest Assured, Peace Exists). I intend to tackle colorism, mental health, and women’s equality as I continue to share authentic messages in my music. I make rhythmic, meaningful music that makes people dance as well as listen. 

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Social media sounds so cliche, but it is a huge factor in how I have progressed in my career. It has so many advantages; one of which is connecting with people you’ve never met before over a shared interest. I have received mentorship over social media because I was courageous enough to reach out and ask questions. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gb3ke.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/gb3ke
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/gb3ke
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/gb3ke
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/gbeke
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/gb3ke