Verity

I am a singer challenging music industry norms...

Verity is a South African singer/songwriter & speaker with a difference. She wrote her first song while studying psychology and only after a 800km solo walk across Spain in memory of her father did she commit to music full time. She realized that if she could walk across a country then there wasn’t much she couldn’t do. Since taking the step to follow her dream, she has won The Catch A Rising Star competition in Florida; been awarded a US working visa as an artist of outstanding ability; performed to capacity audiences in Nashville & New York; established herself as a nationally know SA artist with a distinctively African yet universally appealing sound; become an ambassador for women empowerment; been internationally recognized for innovation in the music industry and become an inspirational speaker.

In 2006 Verity launched her 'Lucky Packet Project' to sell 'future' copies of her debut album on www.iamverity.com in order to fund the recording costs & raise money for two charities. She effectively invited people to 'buy an album that didn't exist' completely on trust that she would eventually record it. The Lucky Packet Project became a model for involving fans in creating an album with her, not only by pre-buying their copies but also by being able to vote for which songs she recorded. Her business model has been applauded around the world for innovation and making a difference. 10.6% of every album sold was split between two charities – POWA to assist women in abusive situations and her Live Your Dreams Foundation to uplift other musicians.

Verity sold over 2000 copies of her album in 25 countries around the world before going into studio and was able pay for two artists to record demos, as well as furnish POWA's shelters with linen & crockery & three fax machines. As a result of the project she was made an ambassador of education and awarded 40 college bursaries to deserving South Africans. The album, named “Journey” by her fans, was recorded with award winning producers Paul McIver & Brian O'Shea at the end of 2007 and released in July 2008 having made South African music history.
Her incredible journey of challenging music industry norms and proving that it is possible to create something out of nothing, has resulted in her being a sought after speaker on possibility - not just on thinking out of the box but acting outside it too. The story of her project takes audiences on her journey of finding a creative solution to not having the funds to record an album and then having the courage to run with it. She shares the lessons learned along the way, not only through her story, but also with songs from the album that has inspired thousands of people about what it possible for them.

Verity's continuing success as a singer & speaker is ensuring that she becomes a voice for change and possibility in South Africa. She is a regular speaker at business innovation events and has toured with The Standard Bank Rocking Future Road Show - speaking and singing to more than 4500 students about the power of living their dreams. She has shared the stage with Dr John Demaritini, Lisa Nichols & Mike Dooley amongst others and as an ambassador for women empowerment has spoken to thousands of women around South Africa. Her work in disadvantaged communities allows her to bridge social divides with her music and message – “you can make a difference by doing things differently”. She is an artist who is being recognised around the world, not only for her talent, but for her vision and ability to make the impossible possible.