A dynamic force of inspiration, Karima Kibble was destined to share the joy of God’s love and power through the gift of song. Enchanting others with her gifted voice and reverence for God since childhood, Karima’s lifelong praise and trust in God’s plan for her has brought her on a journey of discovery and transformation beyond her wildest dreams, as she launches her first solo project, Just Karima on September 22. Revealing her full talents on Just Karima, the lead singer and co-founder of the popular group Virtue uplifts the soul as her sweet, powerful voice personifies life’s struggles and embraces the blessings of everyday experiences with God’s love.

A project that marks Karima’s first time singing alone, Just Karima is the culmination of a newfound journey trusting and exploring her full songwriting abilities. It was in spring of 2008 that she received clarity of purpose, and she knew she was approaching her destiny. Armed with desire, talent, faith and conviction she set out on a personal journey towards the production of her first solo project.  With the support of family, friends and choice producers, arrangers and writers, long days and even longer nights, Karima poured her heart and soul into every song, all the while utilizing her songwriting abilities – a gift she wasn’t even aware she had. She says of this discovery, “It wasn't until I let the fear of singing alone (without my sisters) go – that I became aware of what my true calling was. I was always thinking I wasn't smart enough to write and make sense, so in my mind if we just stayed together as a group I would be fine!”

Putting together Just Karima, she says, “I feel I finally have found my true self. I was placed here to share with the world what has been in me for years. I am a free spirit who loves people and cares about how they feel; I want to make sure they feel good about themselves on every level. I want people to feel and be their best and if I can do that with mere words, wow I can surely do it with singing what I feel.” It is this very attitude that led Karima to write 18 songs within a three-month period. And with a voice that evokes the warmth, aromas and comfort of a Southern Louisiana kitchen coupled with the edge and grit of New York City – Just Karima was complete. Each song resonates with the listener who is easily able to identify with each experience translated by song. Yet this album cannot be classified by one specific genre, it is rather an infectious hybrid of musical genres that is as varied as the wealth of experiences one garners throughout their journey in life – human struggle, love, courage, heartache, strength and lessons learned.

Born Karima Mae Trotter to Rebecca and Louis Trotter in New Orleans, Louisiana, Karima was raised single-handedly by her mother along with five other siblings. It was around the age of four that it became clearly evident just how much she enjoyed singing especially with her sisters. Karima was often seen using her brush as her microphone and she fondly remembers how her mother would make her and her sisters sing for their neighbors, in the street or anywhere she would run into folk that would listen. Yet Karima did not realize how well she could sing until the age of eight when her elder sister recognized her gift.

Her first talent showcase took place at the age of 14 when she joined a popular local singing group called BASIC, and it was evident to everyone hearing her that she was destined for greatness. After finishing high school, she attended Oakwood College (University), in Huntsville, Ala., where she formed Virtue. The trailblazing group released six albums garnering GRAMMY, Stellar and Dove Award nominations along the way for their beautiful vocals and compelling mix of contemporary gospel, R&B, jazz and pop.

Karima continues to recognize God's power and presence in her life, as she embarks on a new path as a solo artist. She states, “I felt at times I didn't want to do anything else, and I was okay with that! It finally felt good to be focused on what made me happy! I just want to express to the world in song that living your dream is possible. There will be difficult times, there will be times when you feel you don't know what the heck you're doing, there will be times you just want to give up, there will be times you feel no one understands you, but these are the things that will push you to reach your goals that much faster. I endured to the end and I'm still not done with the greatness He's placed in me.”

This is truly “just the beginning” for Just Karima.