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Chrisette Michele: Playing
Our Song
The room is abuzz with industry chatter, as record label executives and staff, retailers, press and some
other chosen few enjoy libations and each other’s company. They are patiently waiting for a rarity in today’s
fickle music industry: an artist with a sophomore album. She is Chrisette Michele and her Def Jam album is called “Epiphany.”
Indeed, as she elegantly takes the stage, it is without doubt the room has the “sudden realization” this
is a star. There is something about this young lady and the way she wraps her rainy voice around a song, soaking it with a
fresh yet old school flavor. To see her is to see a beautiful young woman; to hear her is to hear a voice of experience, one
that knows how to elevate each note into its own choir of recognition. That’s her magic – her style compels one
to listen and, inevitably, to enjoy.
The debut single, “Epiphany,” showcases her unique style inside a springy
tune with precocious percussion and a compelling rhythm that allows her festive voice to shine in sparkly colors.
On
the album, also called “Epiphany,” a variety of the songs were written and/or produced by star song man Ne-Yo.
But Michele is still the star of this show, as she takes song such as “Playing My Song” and bounces them along
with a sweetness at the same time she fills them with passion and fervor. Her style is different than the current crunch of
light weights driven by hip beats – it’s not churchie, it’s not urban… it’s very sexy and laid
back. Sometimes scintillating, sometimes sad. And she’s not afraid to take chances, as on “Blame It On Me,”
where the story she so gracefully weaves takes a journey into heartbreak. That song is actually an amazing collaboration with
Claude Kelly and Chrisette’s writing with Chuck Harmony producing. A producer/songwriter who is part of Ne-Yo’s
production collective Compound Entertainment, Harmony has worked on projects with Mary J. Blige, Janet Jackson and Celine
Dion.
Michele’s debut album, “I Am,” was somewhat of a success. It went Gold and also earned her a
Grammy.
“Epiphany” continues where “I Am” left off, featuring production from
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Ne-Yo and Chuck Harmony as well as tracks with super producers Rodney Jerkins and Claude Kelly (Kelly
Clarkson, Britney Spears, Leona Lewis).
Despite the success of “I Am,” Michele felt she needed to step up
on her next LP. “I felt like I was a little too shy and laidback my first time out. On my new project, I wanted to raise
the bar and step out of my comfort zone. I wanted to make songs that were more edgy, youthful and urban.”
Encouraging
her to stretch her vocals as well as the topics in her lyrics, Ne-Yo and Harmony provided the right combination of keyboards
and beat to set off the LP at a perky pace.
“Ne-Yo took out time from his crazy schedule to talk about direction
for some of the songs, including the pain of break-ups and the joys of new love,” she explains, adding the significance
of the title track. “That word ‘epiphany’ just meant so much to me, because it was during the time that
I was preparing to record that something clicked in my spirit.”
Opening with a lovely and languid acoustic guitar,
“Another One” is one of several poignant pieces on “Epiphany.” It, too, was written by Ne-Yo and Harmony.
“That is my favorite song on the album,” she admits. “Nobody captures New American music like Ne-Yo and
the Compound crew.”
Michele also gained valuable experience touring with a live band and fellow singers
Raheem
DeVaughn and Solange Knowles. She says she loves performing live because it allows her to feel feedback from fans. “To
me, nothing is more important than touring. Communicating with the audience through song can be magical. Singing in the studio
is one thing, but you must be able to bring it to the stage, too.”
Michele is also interested in an acting career,
a bug she caught after appearing on an episode of “Girlfriends.”
“That experience was amazing, because
they allowed me to have so much input and let me to write my own scenes. Truthfully, there is no feeling like seeing myself
on TV.”
"Epiphany" is in stores now!
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