GaBrilla Ballard is Mother, Writer, Singer/Songwriter, Poet, Producer, Holistic Wellness Practitioner, Visual Artist, Coach and Creative Visionary and Founder of Urban Mamasong Productions. GaBrilla discovered her love and passion for the arts, community and healing while growing up in New Orleans. Like most New Orleans natives, music and art was central to GaBrilla's cultural upbringing and becoming an artist was something Gabrilla chose at a very young age. As a former student of NOCCA (dance and visual art)  New Orleans' first Poetry Slam champ, GaBrilla ventured into songwriting in 2001 after years as a spoken word artist on the New Orleans Poetry scene. Her incomparable voice, profound lyrics and rich melodies pull from soul, jazz, gospel and world music. She draws from musical influences which include Mariah Carey, Nina Simone, Abbey Lincoln, Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill, Tracy Chapman, Seu Jorge, Sara Tavares and many others.

 

In 2002, GaBrilla recorded her first self-titled EP accompanied by Oakland Percussionist Kele Nitoto, with a guest production appearance by Casamena on song "A Part of Me". This EP was released through her alternative arts and media production company,  Urban Mamasong Productions. In 2008, GaBrilla completed her debut LP "Urban Angel Songs", both as singer/songwriter and producer. GaBrilla has shared stages with Les Nubians, Sonia Sanchez, Sparlha Swa, Medusa, Sunni Patterson, Mos Def, Casamena, Talib Kweli and Steel Pulse.

 

Gabrilla is the creator and producer of RadicalMagicalBrilliance, a podcast centered on creativity and the embodied practice of possibility and re-imagination. Her visual art recently graced the cover of The Journal for Progressive Human Services. 

GaBrilla is currently studying for a Master's in Clinical Social Work.