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Def Jam Singer Chrisette Michele Talks New Album, Working With Jay-Z & Nas |
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Chrisette Michele, the Def Jam songbird whose voice blessed singles for both Jay-Z and Nas, speaks in this SOHH exclusive about struggles in the music industry, what we can expect from her debut, and working with the former rap rivals.
"It was surreal because they are the greatest rappers who ever lived, and who live right now," Chrisette said of her appearance alongside Jay-Z and Nas on "Lost Ones" and "Can't Forget About You" respectively. The singer described the experiences as very different.
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"Me and Jay-Z worked together (in the studio). I wrote a hook, I went into the studio and I sang it and he said 'come back out.' I got to the 5th hook and that was the one he decided to use. He's very meticulous; whereas with Nas, he wasn't in the studio, we spoke over the phone. I heard the concept, and I just wrote something and he told me to use that, as well as four other songs. He was much more laid back I guess," Chrisette recalled.
Though relatively new to many audiences, the Long Island powerhouse practically grew up onstage dancing and singing, frequently visiting Manhattan to perform. "I would perform in the city a lot from the age of 17 to 23...I was working with India.Arie, Angie Stone, Kem and touring with those types of people," Chrisette told SOHH. For her debut album I Am, Chrisette enlisted production from will.i.am (who also raps on the album), as well as Salaam Remi, John Legend and Babyface, among others. Two singles, "If I Have My Way" and "Your Joy," an ode to Chrisette's father are being prepared for release this month. Listeners can expect I Am to showcase both Chrisette's golden voice as well as her songwriting skills.[Preview Michele's music on her myspace page] "I wrote every song on the album...because I write my songs it's easier to write for myself than if somebody else was to give me music, just because my voice isn't like everybody else's. One of my biggest frustrations is finding music that my large voice can fit over," Chrisette revealed. In addition to taking charge of her music, Chrisette Michele has also been doing her own styling. While the shapely singer says she hasn't felt pressure from her label to lose weight, she once bumped heads with a wardrobe stylist. "He [L.A. Reid] is very adamant about me being myself," Chrisette revealed. "It's not really a frustration. I did go to a photoshoot one time and somebody handed me a size 0 and a size 4 and I was really ready to punch her in her face, and that's me talking as a good person. I cried that day. After that I did my own shopping."
Chrisette Michele will open for Musiq Soulchild's North American Tour this summer from July 6 - August 6. Her debut album I Am is scheduled to hit stores on June 19 via Def Jam Recordings.
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