Chrisette Michele

Chrisette Michele is a Grammy Award-winning R&B and soul singer-songwriter recognized for her expressive voice and genre-blending artistry. Michele studied vocal performance and earned a degree in music at Five Towns College in New York, building a technical foundation in theory, composition, and performance. Early in her career, she was discovered by India.Arie at an open-mic event and soon contributed vocals to records by Nas and Jay-Z. Michele has released more than 100 songs and collaborated with artists including George Duke, Natalie Cole, John Legend, and Drake.

Michele's debut album, "I Am," introduced her vocals to a wider audience, with the lead single "If I Have My Way" highlighting her soulful delivery and songwriting. She received a Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the song "Be OK" featuring will.i.am. Her second album, "Epiphany," debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album's lead single, "Epiphany (I'm Leaving)," was certified gold by the RIAA.

Michele continued to develop her presence in the music industry with albums such as "Epiphany" and "Let Freedom Reign," blending soul, R&B, and jazz influences. Songs like "Epiphany (I'm Leaving)" and "Goodbye Game" established her as a singer-songwriter exploring emotional themes. Her fourth studio album, "Better," debuted at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 200 and was nominated for Best R&B Album at the Grammy Awards. Tracks such as "A Couple of Forevers" demonstrated her ability to create soulful ballads that connect with listeners.

Michele has collaborated with Rick Ross and Drake on the single "Aston Martin Music," reinforcing her reputation as a sought-after collaborator in hip-hop and R&B. As an independent artist, she released additional albums including "Milestone" and "Out of Control," reflecting her commitment to creative autonomy. Michele is known for her distinctive vocals and her ability to blend jazz, soul, and R&B into a sophisticated sound within the contemporary music landscape.