Gloria Mantooth Music aka Soul Fyah In Da Mix

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My Story

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My Story

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My Story

Music was an itch that I just had to scratch. What’s my story? I was raised to go to school, get a job, get married and raise a family. Music was something we did in choir in church on Sunday and not viewed as a viable career path. I didn’t know anyone in the music business and no one in my family encouraged me to pursue it. In fact, I was discouraged in pursuing it. I don’t fault my parents for providing me and my brothers with a wholesome childhood that didn’t involve homelessness or abuse to force me to go it alone like so many other’s stories that I have read and heard. I don’t have a hard luck story and therefore in my eyes my story didn’t seem to matter. Yet music was an itch that I just had to scratch.

I sang in church choirs from the age of 5 and up. I formed singing groups with my friends from the age of about 10 all through high school. I also loved fashion and design, so after high school I went to the Fashion Institute but instead of pursing the creative side of fashion, my mother was convinced by the schools’ admissions counselors that I should take the merchandising track because “It would be a steady job” My dreams of becoming a fashion designer slipped away. I was unhappy, met a boy and dropped out. Soon came kids, we struggled, he was an abusive drug addict and he too stomped on my dreams. My voice again was silent.

Eventually I left with two babies to feed and provide for. I do not have a down and out, sleeping in my car till I got my big break in music story. Mines is a steady itch that I just have to scratch in whatever ways that I could. I joined numerous bands, I picked up my pen and started writing my feelings. Poems became songs. These songs got me through dark times and fun times. Probably like a lot of songwriters and performers, I am really an introvert. My songs are a gift that allow me the freedom to express myself and move about in the world. My self-identity is wrapped up in music. My songs are prayers. My songs are meditations. My songs are healing. I resonate with artist like India Aire, Alicia Keys, Gladys Knight, Nancy Wilson, Sade. Even though music was always something I had to do on the side in my life and there were times when I became so frustrated with bands falling apart that I would tell myself life would be much simpler for me if I just gave it up. Why keep putting yourself out there to get your heart broken over and over again but, music is an itch that I just have to scratch in whatever way that I can.

I had to make peace with music. I came to the understanding within my being that music is a journey, not a destination. It’s a marathon, not a sprint for me. It’s a process of self-discovery and I am learning to master the process. Music has taken me on many adventures and propelled me forward. Always searching and reaching to find my voice. I grew up listening to RNB, Gospel, Blues and some Jazz. I tried all those styles but not until I was introduced to the genre of Reggae and Bob Marely did I find my own voice. Reggae rhythms give me the space and the freedom to create in a way that no other genre to this point has. I moved to Hawaii and found a writing partner and we formed a band. We spent countless hours listening, writing and recording our songs. He educated me on various reggae artist and I started looking for the female voices in the genre. I did not find nearly as many females as males but what I did find was that true to the genre, all their styles and offerings are unique and different. I like that very much! Freedom to be me and do it like I wanna! I’m just A Cali Girl : -)

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