Me'shell Ndegeocello
A Musical Force To Be Reckoned With...
Me'shell Ndegeocello is pronounced Mee-shell N-deh-gay-o-chel-o
She is a bassist, songwriter, vocalist, rapper...brilliant. Need I say more? She has never received the recognition that she deserves, and is one of my absolute favorite artists of all times. I often find myself in the car, listening to music from her 90's albums as if it were newly released music. Her music incorporates a wide variety of influences, including funk, soul, jazz, hip hop, reggae and rock. Meshell's music confronts an authentic awareness of America's social and sexual controversies (racial and sexual identity). These social issues in the U.S, seem to stand the test of time. And Meshell's music reflects the essence of concern she has for the direction of thought that we as a people hold, which stifles us from broadening our perspectives.
Me'shell Ndegeocello was born Michelle Lynn Johnson on August 29, 1968, in Berlin, Germany, where her father, a U.S. Army lieutenant and saxophonist father Jacques Johnson was stationed, and her mother Helen, a health care worker. She was raised in Washington, D.C. where she attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Oxon Hill High School. was stationed. As a teenager she chose the name "Ndegeocello," which is Swahili for "free like a bird." Meshell studied music at Howard University for a short period of time.
Some Of Meshell's Masterpiece Albums
Plantation Lullabies 1993
Peace Beyond Passion 1996
Rough Harvest 1999
Bitter 1999
Cookie: The Anthropological Mixed Tape 2002
Comfort Woman 2003
Devil's Halo 2009
Weather 2011
Pour une Âme Souveraine: A Dedication to Nina Simone 2012
Comet Come To Me 2013
Hamilton Live: Meshell Ndegeocello
Watch Now!
Throughout her career, Ndegeocello has been open about her bisexuality. In her past, she has spoken about her previous relationships with choreographer Winifred R. Harris and feminist writer and activist Rebecca Walker. She no longer openly discusses her private life as it regards her relationships. She gave birth to a son Askia in 1989.
After the birth to a son and she moved from Washington, D. C. to New York, where she performed as a solo artist in clubs and attracted the attention of several record labels. She was on of the first artists who signed with Madonna's Maverick Records and released Plantation Lullabies in 1993.
Plantation Lullabies: Call Me
Listen!
Me'shell has expressed her displeasure for the commercial aspects of music. Her outspoken insistence upon artistic integrity and her refusal to record more commercially viable music has resulted in some criticizing her for not recording music that appeals to a broader commercial base. Yet she has no interest whatsoever in appealing to the masses.
If you don't get her music, you just won't.