Her mother is a former singer (she was signed to Motown as a teenager and opened for Stevie Wonder and Al Green)[4] and has become Arie's stylist.

[5] Arie is African-American, and according to a DNA analysis, she descends from the Mende people of Sierra Leone, the Kru of Liberia and the Fula of Guinea-Bissau.

But her interest in the guitar, while attending the Savannah College of Art and Design, led to a personal revelation about songwriting and performing.

Arie resided in New York City for over a decade, before moving back to Atlanta to focus on her career and music.

Named to Oprah Winfrey's SuperSoul100 list of visionaries and influential leaders,[9] India.Arie performed Songversation during 2017 motivational cruises.

"Video" attained commercial success peaking at 47 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and becoming her highest-charting song in the region to date.

[16] Arie performed a duet with rock singer-guitarist John Mellencamp on the song "Peaceful World" for his 2001 album Cuttin' Heads.

Arie performed a duet with jazz singer Cassandra Wilson on the song "Just Another Parade" for her 2002 album Belly of the Sun.

Arie performed a duet with singer Anthony David for his song "Words" for his 2008 album Acey Duecy.

Arie also identified this CD as her first to write and sing songs without worrying about public opinion after a much-needed vacation to Hawaii.

In September 2012, she featured in a campaign called "30 Songs/30 Days" to support Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, a multi-platform media project inspired by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's book.

The first single of the album, "6th Avenue", was released on iTunes on November 4, 2012; it was produced by India Arie and Israeli musician Idan Raichel.

[33] In July 2016, she premiered her new single "Breathe" inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, especially Eric Garner's last words.

According to media reports, Arie's planned departure from the service is motivated by Rogan's use of insensitive language relating to race in the past.

[41] Arie and her work have influenced many artists, including Alexa Goddard, Anne-Marie, Ariana Grande, Doja Cat, Jess Glynne, Jhene Aiko, Khalid, Melanie Fiona, and Tori Kelly.

[42] In 2009, India Arie portrayed Nina Simone in a staged reading at the Roundabout Theatre Company of the upcoming Broadway musical Soul Doctor, about the life of Shlomo Carlebach written by Daniel Wise.