“With 'Acoustic Soul,' I saw my music as sparse. But I didn't do that because I was making a commitment to be commercial. That's what made 'Acoustic Soul' so difficult to produce. It took 2 1/2 years because I couldn't figure out what I wanted and still be commercial.”

American singer-songwriter and record producer

India Arie Simpson is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. She came to wider attention with her debut album, Acoustic Soul, released in 2001, which was both a commercial and critical success. She later released Voyage to India, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship, Songversation, and Worthy. Her music blends R&B, soul, and neo-soul, and her songs often return to self-empowerment, spirituality, and social awareness.