Space Discovery: Yona Marie
Welcome to our new Space Discovery!
Yona Marie, also known as Rachel Marie, delivers an inspirational and poignant experience with her R&B and soul-infused track, Wade In The Water. Hailing from the Washington, DC area, she seamlessly weaves elements of gospel, neo soul and R&B into a tapestry of spiritual resonance.
With the remaking of this song, Yona Marie gives voice to the original voiceless artist of this black spiritual anthem, also known as a slave song. It’s believed that Wade In The Water was not only used as a part of the journey Harriet Tubman made to the South to help free many of her people, but it was also a code for the slaves to literally wade in the water while fleeing, so that the slavers’ dogs couldn’t trace their scent. That’s how the song takes on an even deeper meaning, turning out to be a vessel for a profound message of resilience, rebellion and faith.
Wade In The Water immediately captivates listeners with a blend of soulful vocals and a musical arrangement filled with gospel undertones, groovy drums and gleeful synths. The opening lines, “What hurts us heals us,” set the tone for a narrative centred on the cyclical nature of pain and healing, advocating for resilience and encouraging us to believe that healing is a natural consequence of hurting, and that neither exists without the other. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of seeking spiritual solace in the midst of life’s challenges, urging the listener to wade into the waters of faith and perseverance.
The repetition of the powerful refrain, “God’s gonna trouble the water,” becomes a spiritual anthem, driving home the belief in divine intervention and the transformative power of faith. Yona Marie’s upbringing in a church choir is palpable in the heartfelt delivery of the lyrics, which creates an authentic connection between the artist and the listener, and stands as a testament to the artist’s musical roots.
The instrumental arrangement adds a layer of depth to the emotional journey embarked upon in the song. The interplay of piano, drums and synths complements Yona Marie‘s honeyed vocals, creating a synergy that elevates the overall impact of the track.
Yona Marie is also a marketer who offers music tips on her website, and her dual identity is reflected in this track’s carefully crafted narrative and its ability to resonate on both emotional and strategic levels, being the renewed pop version of a very meaningful centuries-old song. In a world now marred by adversity, this track serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that healing is an inherent part of the human experience, and that through unbreakable faith, we can wade through the waters of life’s challenges.
