Grammy Nods
Grammy Nods
True rewards for one can't really be measured by the masses, but it sure is nice to get some props every now and then. Some of our favorites are getting a little special attention this year with Grammy nods including: Jill, India, Musiq, Raheem DeVaughn, Common and Chrisette Michele.
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
Just Fine
Mary J. Blige
[Geffen]
When I See You
Fantasia
Track from: Fantasia
[J Records/19 Records/S Records]
No One
Alicia Keys
[J Records/MBK Entertainment]
If I Have My Way
Chrisette Michele
Track from: I Am
[Def Jam Recordings]
Hate On Me
Jill Scott
Track from: The Real Thing
[Hidden Beach Recordings]
___________________________
Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)
Woman
Raheem DeVaughn
[Jive Records]
B.U.D.D.Y.
Musiq Soulchild
Track from: Luvanmusiq
[Atlantic Records]
Because Of You
Ne-Yo
[Def Jam Recordings]
Future Baby Mama
Prince
Track from: Planet Earth
[Columbia/NPG Records]
Please Don't Go
Tank
Track from: Sex, Love & Pain
[Blackground/Universal Motown]
___________________________
Best Urban/Alternative Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)
Make A Baby
Vikter Duplaix
Track from: Bold And Beautiful
[BBE]
That’s The Way Of The World
Dwele
Track from: Interpretations: Celebrating The Music Of Earth, Wind & Fire
[Stax]
Daydreamin'
Lupe Fiasco Featuring Jill Scott
Track from: Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor
[1st & 15th/Atlantic]
Fantasy
Meshell Ndegeocello
Track from: Interpretations: Celebrating The Music Of Earth, Wind & Fire
[Stax]
Dream
Alice Smith
Track from: For Lovers, Dreamers & Me
[BBE Records]
___________________________
Best R&B Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)
Funk This
Chaka Khan
[Burgundy Records]
Lost & Found
Ledisi
[Verve Forecast]
Luvanmusiq
Musiq Soulchild
[Atlantic]
The Real Thing
Jill Scott
[Hidden Beach Recordings]
Sex, Love & Pain
Tank
[Blackground/Universal Motown Records]
Algebra Blessett: Not the Girl You’re Used To
Soul singer, Algebra Blessett is focused on mastering the art of storytelling. There’s no incense burning, no tricks or gimmicks in her stories---only the truth.
An Atlanta native, Algebra was raised in a musically talented family, including her mother who is a minister and bass player. A music career seemed to be inevitable, but not if Algebra had her way. “I really didn’t want to sing,” she says. “I had a rebellious spirit in me.”
She wanted to attend the competitive Atlanta School of Performing Arts to become a dancer, but she auditioned with a song. She was accepted. “I used singing to get to next level,” she says. “It was always easy for me to sing a song, not knowing it was my calling.”
A few years later she would learn an important lesson in the music industry: Even enemies are friends and everyone knows everyone. This proved true when a high school friend signed to Dallas Austin’s Rowdy Records in Atlanta invited Algebra to record a demo. Providing background vocals for native and visiting artists, such as Bilal and Monica, resulted in signing with Rowdy.
Blessett parted with Rowdy and was later recruited by Kedar Massenburg, CEO of Kedar Entertainment Group. Massenburg is responsible for developing artists such as Erykah Badu and D’Angelo, some of her biggest influences. (She recalls sitting in class and being excited about ’Angelo’s “Brown Sugar” and “Lady”, even though she didn’t know what they were about at the time.)
She released a single and video for “You Do It For Me,”
under Kedar in 2006. Nearly two years later, Blessett assures fans that they will definitely hear more from her. Tentatively titled, Purpose, the highly anticipated album will be released in February 2008.
So why has she kept us waiting?
There is always a struggle between the business-minded and the artistic when it comes to a game plan for the artist. The transition between record labels and strategizing the perfect time for the album release have kept Algebra and her fans anticipating the next move. “I was not concerned with that (business) side of the game,” she says. “It was strictly about the creative side.”
Good things come to those who wait though. “I’m really
trying to make sure that I can give what I can give at one time. I want to put my best foot forward first.”
It’s no doubt that living in the music Mecca of the South has its advantages, as she collaborated with super producers and artists on the album, such as Brian Michael Cox, Johnta Austin and Eric Roberson—all childhood friends. Some notable tracks include “Happy After”, a song that Blessett says “every woman, every little girl should hear” and “Run and Hide”, one of three songs produced by Kwame’.
Blessett also wrote many songs on the album and played her acoustic
guitar. Her sound is a mix of all types of music that influences her, from gospel to classical and even country.
“It’s my very first album,” says Blessett. “I’m
absolutely ready. I’ve been waiting for this my whole life.”
Algebra isn’t idle in her creativity. She has been touring overseas and just finished a performance in her hometown, giving fans a sneak peak at the album. “Expect the truth,” she says.
Blessett has seen a lot of gimmicks in the music industry, but she doesn’t have one. “I’m just giving you my experiences.”
She rejects the stereotypes that the industry would like to label her with. She is not the “Baby’s Mama,” nor the “Gucci Girl” (though she likes the brand), but rather “an every day person.”
While creating her own niche in the game, Blessett says she is often “caught between a rock and a hard place,” being pigeon-holed as just another neo-soul singer or another artist from the South. “That’s a challenge that we as struggling artists face.” As a solution, she says, “Be proud of what you stand for.”
Instead of lashing out at the critics, she takes it for what it is and celebrates everything that she is. You may find her in the club dancing, in the church praising God or even on the corner admiring everyday people living life, she says. “I am who I am. I do what makes me happy.”
It seems that Algebra is not as complex as the mathematical function she was named after. For her, standing out from the crowd is easy. “To be different is just to be myself.”
Problem solved.
Alisha Tillery
alisha@neosoulville.com
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Chrisette Michele
Believe the hype. Def Jam recording artist Chrisette Michele blasted into Memphis last night for a not-to-be-missed performance at the Gibson Guitar Factory. Amid an eager and packed crowd, the sultry 24-year-old made her entrance with the up-tempo "Let's Rock." She then weaved a beautiful storyline linking her songs together with golden, jazzy vocals reminiscent of Sarah Vaughn with some Badu edge. Chrisette even gave the band a brief break and sat down to the keys herself. Though it may seem that Ms. Michele blew up overnight, don't be fooled. She's been singing since age four and has been stampeding for years toward the delicious success she's now experiencing. We sat down with Chrisette after the show last night for a hearty conversation.
Neosoulville: It's interesting how you were able to create a storyline and make all of your songs relevant to each other. How many of your musical subjects are truly personal to you?
Chrisette Michele: It's crazy. "Good Girl" is about me. I've been with guys who gave me things and gave me money and stuff like
that. I used to be a gold-digger. Then I realized, wait a second, I can be my own gold-digger for myself. Dig my own gold.
Neosoulville: How do you feel about the musical comparisons linking you to singers like Jill Scott, Erykah Badu and others?
Chrisette Michele: Erykah Badu is somebody who I idolized coming up, since the time I was a little kid. So that is one of the biggest compliments anybody can make.
Neosoulville: Who are some of your other musical influences?
Chrisette Michele: My mother and father were always singing in church. They were in the charge of the choirs. They were in charge of the music programs, so I was always on stage at church. Sarah Vaughn is one of my greatest musical influences right now.
Neosoulville: I didn't know you were such a scat-woman! You can scat!
Chrisette Michele: I'm a vocal jazz performer. I've been studying saxophone in jazz music since I was eight-years-old. So jazz is my background as well as gospel.
Neosoulville: What is your favorite city to perform in?
Chrisette Michele: I don't have one. (Michele has however promised
to return to Memphis).
Neosoulville: You know there are a lot of young girls looking up to you. They see your videos and sing along to them. What is the one message that you would like to share with other young black women?
Chrisette Michele: Well, I'm writing a book called "What Is a Lady." I just want to make sure that I convey class, an element of class and of self-pride and focus to my girls. They're my heart. The biggest part of me is the children. I love young people.
*"What Is A Lady" by Chrisette Michele is forthcoming."*
-Sharcie J.
sharciej@neosoulville.com