Goapele is a mononymously-known contemporary R&B singer and songwriter whose sophisticated recordings reflect a wide range of inspirations that includes Nina Simone, Sade, and Portishead. The daughter of a South African political exile, the Oakland native grew up in a socially conscious and politically active family. At an early age, Goapele attended the Berkeley Arts Magnet School, where she led a pre-teen peer support group, and also became involved in organizations that combated racism and sexism. Goapele sang in the Oakland Youth Choir and was in a semi-professional music group called Vocal Motion. Upon high school graduation, she attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston and studied music theory. During her post-secondary education, she also began to refine her songwriting skills.