April 19, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
NEXT: Chrisette Michele
This girl says she's adult - and she's contemporary.
Chrisette Michele, 24, wants to think of a story, some snippet from her life that might make her sound tough. "As I do more interviews, I'm realizing that I'm the biggest cornball," she says, snuggled under a blanket on the bottom bunk of her 13-year-old brother's bed in their Patchogue, NY home. "Growing up, we'd decorate the neighborhood with Christmas lights and back cookies," the former Girl Scout recalls, unable to come up with anything more sinister. "Now when I'm home, I'm up out of this bed cleaning church lights, going to schools, talking to young girls. Oh my goodness, that's why I'm alive."
Of course, Michele also lives to make music. Raised by a deacon father and gospel choir director mother, Chrisette Michele Payne - a former member of her high school student government, choir, step team, pep squad and African-American Club - says she's "the biggest nerd." But Michele had better get used to being cool; her church-bred vocals now grace two of the hottest hooks in hip hop, Jay-Z's "Lost One" and Nas' "Can't Forget About You."
As a performance major at Long Island's Five Towns College, Michele started putting her bluesy, Billie Holiday-esque vocals to the test at open mics throughout New York City. Spotted by India.Arie one night, she soon began opening for soul stars Angie Stone and Kem, as well as Arie. "My whole thing was, I hope they don't think I'm limited to being a neo-soul artist," she says. "I love Celine Dion. I love Whitney Houston. I love adult contemporary pop music."
And that influence, along with jazz and gospel, is apparent on Michele's Def Jam Recordings as-yet untitled debut, which Michele wrote in its entirety. "I met a lot of bitter people who said, 'You're not gonna make it, you're too fat, your hair's not right,'" Michele says. "Whatever! I thank God my parents taught me who I was."
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Comments
1.
THEHERO says:
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Da Backwudz are now..
LABRATZ!!
Former Rowdy Records act Da Backwudz, have left Dallas Austin’s camp to form the four man super group LABRATZ , and are set to release their first project on upstart label Royal Family Music. The former Rowdy signees site business and creative differences for their departure and were eager to find some like minds to spread their creative wings. They found that with long time Decatur homeboys and collaborators Heavy Slim and G-Wiz. The final piece to the puzzle appeared upon meeting super producer Sol Messiah (Chamillionaire, David Banner) who is also the co-founder of Royal Family Music. LABRATZ and Sol Messiah got right to work on the soon to be classic ATLANTIS RISING . The project has two guest appearances featuring Dead Prez and Nappy Roots. The rest of the album is an exclusive collaboration between LABRATZ and Sol Messiah. LABRATZ have the southern artistic stylings of an Outkast, along with a musical and lyrical assault likened to Wu Tang Clan. Still, LABRATZ has a style all of its own and they are destined to start a movement. Limited edition cds have hit the streets and select tracks have started an internet buzz. If you want to find out more about LABRATZ, check out www.myspace.com/thelabratzmusic and send all messages to thelabratz@gmail.com .
LABRATZ members are:
Big Marc (aka Leon Rothstein)
Sho Nuff (aka Marty McFly)
Heavy Slim
G-Wiz
*Sol Messiah (honorary member)
December 16, 2007 at 5:48 pm
2.
CoCoSHANNEL says:
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i love her voice, and she is so beautiful......like poetry.
November 21, 2007 at 9:32 pm
3.
Jerrell says:
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June 15, 2007 at 8:08 pm
4.
KWANELE says:
she looks so beautfl nd i can't wait to hear her first offering which i think will be a HIT!
April 21, 2007 at 5:36 am
5.
Elinor says:
So nice to see someone who seems innocent and wise. Can't wait to hear her.
April 20, 2007 at 3:19 pm
6.
ODE says:
she is a sexy azz bitch
i ll hit from the back and the front
April 20, 2007 at 11:05 am
7.
HOVITO says:
she looks good and sings like one of these old jazz singers
when I first heard "Can't Forget About You" by Nas i thoughr it was a sample.
April 20, 2007 at 11:04 am
8.
BJ says:
i love that she isnt telln that same ole ghetto girl shit
April 20, 2007 at 1:41 am