Noelle Scaggs: 'Give Your Heart'

If you've heard Black Eyed Peas' ubiquitous 2003 hit, "Let's Get It Started," you're likely familiar with Noelle Scaggs' soulful singing. She may have been a backing vocalist back then, but now, Scaggs' talents are front and center, as the singer of the retro-leaning soul pop band, Fitz And The Tantrums, and co-writer of hits like 2013's "Out Of My League." 

Behind that powerful voice, is a powerful woman instilled with hard work and self respect by her family. Long before the Southern California-born singer-songwriter headlined festivals, Scaggs fronted the band The Rebirth, and later, spent time learning about the music business by performing and collaborating with artists like Miley Cyrus, Dilated Peoples, Damien Marley and Nas, the Peas' will.i.am, and more. 

While Scaggs says that she wants to help artists grow and not be out in front, her undeniable talent and authentic stage charisma have pushed her into the spotlight. Still, she says, "When you're a woman on stage, surrounded by men, you're the only person they're looking at."

In a conversation with Soundcheck, Scaggs discusses the role women have played in her life, dissects female empowerment anthems, and the path that led her from singing hooks in the early 2000s to writing songs of her own.

Imade Nibokun: What experiences were unique to you as a woman as you pursued music?

Noelle Scaggs: I grew up with very strong, independent women that encouraged being intelligent, speaking correctly, working hard for what it is you want and focusing. I think I carried that with me throughout my childhood and throughout my career. I also learned to never take anything you received for granted and always remember where you came from. It's definitely not easy being a woman in this industry, but over the years you seen it shift. Artists like Beyoncé, and all of these wonderful women that are really owning their sexuality and owning the fact that they're running s---.

IN: Your career has had many chapters: You were the front-woman of The Rebirth in the early 2000's, you sang with the Black Eyed Peas. Now you're performing with Fitz And The Tantrums. What led you on that journey?

NS: In my career, I've always been really, really open to possibilities. Even when I was intimidated, even when I wasn't sure what I could bring to the table, I allowed myself to do it. I grew up in this era of hip hop, and all of a sudden I was this go-to girl for choruses. I got a call from will.i.am. at 12 o'clock at night. ["Let's Get It Started"] ends up being a Grammy Award-winning track that I sing on.

IN: How did growing up with powerful women affect your approach to music?

NS: From my very first Sony that my mom gave me for Christmas, I was singing to En Vogue and Mariah Carey. I think now, I realize what I was listening to at nine and 10 years old. I learned the lyrics to my favorite song and every single cadence. Watching these women in their videos and how amazing they were, I think now I really get the process of my growing and loving music the way I did. When I went to my later years in high school and getting into the music business side of things, friends of mine were talking to labels about record deals. Other people were becoming A&R's.

I had the opportunity of looking into the depth of the business. I took that knowledge and [said], "Oh, I want to be Diane Warren and David Foster." I want to be the person that actually helps artists grow and not necessarily be in the front. It's never been my focus in being a superstar or anything like that. I think that's what I took into every single room that I walked into. So it made me focus on the song versus the collab. Whether I was a woman or not, that was my headspace.

It's inspiring to know that when I get on stage -- and it's not even a cocky thing that I'm trying to say -- but when you're a woman on stage, surrounded by men, you're the only person they're looking at. Just having that in your head, you definitely want to be the best that you can be because you know those eyes are focused on you. And that's just the way it is.

IN: What advice would you give to artists who are starting out?

NS: Really go for it. When you get on that stage, give 120 percent. Work through any nerves that are coming through you. Root yourself. The more you perform, it becomes easier. You know what to do with your hands and your body. You're more in tune with that.

I know that takes time, but you have to be able to give your heart beyond just your voice because people can see that. They can tell when you're nervous about the words coming out or how your voice is sounding. Some people like it better when you crack [vocally], but you're having a great time. It's about giving yourself and it's even more fun when you're taking in that energy from the audience that is engaged with you.

Any kind of advice that I could give to a person doing what I'm doing, especially a woman, is to really grab yourself and give your heart.