Temika MOORE

She’s been described as “a breath of fresh air,” “a voice that gives wings to the spirit,” and “a cross between India Arie and jazz legend Nancy Wilson,” but you will come up with your own superlatives once you hear the amalgamation of Inspirational Soul artist Temika Moore. Temika Moore created a genre for herself after becoming disenchanted with the options available for categorizing her stylistic approach to music. “Inspirational Soul is organic,” Temika explains. “This music is built on the premise of vocal, instrumental, and lyrical freedom undergirded by spiritual truth – God’s inspired word.” She believes, just as the relationship between Jesus and God was unique, so is everyone’s relationship, thus making what each individual is gifted to create unique as well. She doesn’t believe in the one-size fits all Christian singers, and was led to create a path for herself that was unique to her aural personality.

Weaving together strains of folk, jazz, soul, R & B and gospel, Temika Moore creates an unforgettable tapestry of sound, thanks to inspirations that include the vocal dexterity of artists such as Rachelle Ferrell, Anita Baker, Oleta Adams, the Clark Sisters, Natalie Cole, Angela Winbush, Will Downing, Commissioned, and Take, to the Blue-eyed soul and Pop/Rock grooves of artists such as Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Windwood, and Duran Duran. Temika’s Inspirational Soul style pairs her melodious contralto with head-nodding grooves, glorious lyrics that gladden the spirit, and a grounded approach that keeps things very real.

The current single, “Every Word,” was written by Temika Moore and co-arranged by Larry Mack, youth pastor at i5 City Church in Glen Burnie, MD. This rhythmic up-tempo acoustic tune is a lyrical testament to abiding by divine guidance -- something every listener of faith can give an “amen” to. Says Temika: “The song was inspired by my quiet times with God. I pour out my soul to God in prayer and sometimes He answers with a song. ‘Every Word’ was the answer to my prayer and I believe It can answer the prayers of others.”  The smooth groove single has garnered rave reviews from the gospel and R&B communities, even gaining the attention of noted soulful house artist and producer Josh Milan, who gives “Every Word” a deep groove remix treatment.

“Every Word” is the current single from Temika Moore’s latest EP The Closet: Intimate Conversations. The End Of Me (2012), Moore’s, previous EP project features the joyful “Really That Simple” as well as the thoughtful “I’m Not OK,” which was remixed by Philly soul duo Helen Bruner & Terry Jones. The EP has built on the success of her previous offerings including 2010’s single That’s Enough, and albums such as 2005’s Doing Just Fine, and her 2002 debut, Moment of Truth. Each successive project builds on the last, showcasing Temika’s vocal and musical dexterity as well as her ability to convey heartfelt moments of humility, joy, and grace. 

Born and raised in the fertile musical region of Philadelphia, home of the Philly Soul Sound and the renaissance known as “neo-soul,” Temika attended the Philadelphia High School For Creative & Performing Arts. There she rubbed elbows with R&B crooners Boyz II Men, neo-soul song stylist Amel Larrieux, jazz bassist Christian McBride, Roots drummer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson and Roots bandmate Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter, among others. The recipient of the first ever scholarship named for jazz great Ella Fitzgerald, Temika graduated from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and went on to hone her sound via live performances in the Washington, DC area and abroad.

Moreover, Temika Moore is more than an artist. Temika Moore is an inspirational speaker, educator, singer, songwriter, cultural impact consultant, and arts advocate. Temika Moore is also the publishing and licensing administrator for Pink Panna Music Publishing; the home of Inspirational Soul Music. She is also a former voting member of the Washington, DC Chapter of The Recording Academy (GRAMMY’s), where she has held the office of membership committee secretary, and served as a District Advocate for Music Creator Rights where she presented support for legislation before members of congress to advocate for music creator rights. Her background includes a combination of music production, music business, education, digital marketing, business operations and project management experience. She brings over 20 years of professional work experience which includes live performances, promotions, tour coordination, publishing, royalties administration, live event coordination, media sales, community outreach, as well as consulting with non-profit and for-profit organizations to help develop, manage, and or improve workflow processes. Temika Moore has provided administrative services to companies including Discovery Communications and Radio One.

Temika’s talents have led her to share the stage with R&B/jazz artist Will Downing, jazz funk stalwart Roy Ayers, contemporary jazz keyboardist Marcus Johnson and the late saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. She has opened for Eric Benét, Chante Moore, Bilal, Kindred the Family Soul, Sylena Johnson, Najee, Pieces of a Dream, and Jean Carne, among others. She has also served the congregations of the Mt. Ennon Baptist Church (MEBC) Praise & Worship Team in Clinton, MD, and Revolution Annapolis Worship Team in Annapolis, MD, as well as provided background vocal support via the MEBC Praise Team for inspirational and gospel artists Dorothy Norwood and Deon Kipping.  Additional career highlights include features and lives performances on Fox 5, Philadelphia ABC/MasterCard Thanksgiving Day Parades, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Jazz Ensemble, Philly Pops Orchestra, Centric TV (Now BETher), Aspire Network, Music Choice Network, Bounce TV, HUR Voices (SiriusXM Radio), and has served as a Supercuts Rock The Cut Ambassador.

Lastly, in 2015 Temika Moore planned for a sabbatical to participate in professional development and personal enrichment opportunities to further support her core values. It was her goal to experience pursuing creative music industry related projects without regard to financial constraints. In preparation to embark on this uncertain journey, she prepared for seven years to eliminate financial liabilities thereby creating an environment that would be conducive to pursuing unique creative projects. During this time she was invited to work with Meant 2 Live Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC whose sole mission is to use music to help alleviate poverty in vulnerable communities. Temika Moore has participated in Splendor Fest, a Washington, DC project with the mission to help garner awareness about at- risk homeless populations in Washington, DC.  Splendor Fest is a music festival that provides economic, mental, social, and spiritual resources, and other services free of charge to homeless persons in Washington, DC. This experience culminated in an invitation to work with Meant 2 Live Foundation to support their mission work and community initiatives in Lusaka, Zambia. In June 2018, Temika Moore along with eight missionaries traveled to Lusaka, Zambia to provide resources and lay the foundation for a music program for 310 children residing in Lusaka, Zambia orphanages.

With a wealth of life experiences and an ever-increasing catalog of inspirational songs, Temika Moore is poised to spread the message of Inspirational Soul wherever “real” music is savored and enjoyed. “It is important for me to create music that is authentic and evokes a spirit of inspiration and empowerment,” says Temika. “I create music that can lead to personal change.”  Take a listen and be inspired.