Anessa LaRae: Reborn In Philly.

Text by Aneesah Coley. Image by Sharon Calvin.

Rocking an afro puff, jeans and a black crop top along with heels that make her appear taller than the five feet and one inch she admits to truly be, Anessa LaRae takes the stage at Warmdaddy’s.

As it pours rain outside, the 23-year-old singer/songwriter starts the set with an original song called “Dance in the Rain.” Throughout the restaurant, heads begin to nod rhythmically. LaRae seems at home on the stage.

“It’s something I’ve been honing for literally 20 years even though I’m really young,” she says. “I normally am a little bit of a nutcase before I perform. I’m all about energies and vibes.”

She hates feeling like a diva but certain things are necessary before she performs, like sipping blackberry brandy to help open her throat and keeping room temperature water handy. Meditation, crystals and chakra-opening stones are also things she’s into.

LaRae was born to military parents. She moved here five years ago to attend Drexel University, where she studied music industry and concentrated in entertainment law.

“I’m a Philly transplant,” she admits. “I was reborn here.”

Her first album, Apocalyptic Genesis, released in May 2011, was actually her senior project at Drexel. Though classified as eclectic rock ‘n’ soul, she says she wasn’t fixated on what genre the project would fit in. Her music style varies and she doesn’t limit herself.

Right now, she says she’s trying not to rush her art but she will create something new soon. The mantra of her next project will be love, peace and everything in between. She wants to be able to reach people.

“I want people to be touched by the music,” she says. “Music is the soundtrack of life.”