Chrisette Michele first appeared on the everyday listener's radar through duets with Jay-Z (“Lost Ones”) and Nas (“Can’t Forget About You,” which samples Nat King Cole) and she shows off her gospel chops, jazz and R&B
roots on her debut album simply titled, I AM. Only twenty-four years of age, the singer-songwriter from Long Island, NY was raised in the church singing in the choir and has been composing music since twelve. Though she
was already a fan of gospel and classical at that point, it wasn’t until she was seventeen that she also developed a passion for jazz and along with that a love for the music of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Astrud Gilberto.
Known for her heartfelt and thought-provoking lyrics, Chrisette was signed personally by Antonio “L.A.” Reid to Def Jam and toured with India.Arie and Kem and was also part of the 2006 Heineken Red Star Soul tour that
featured Raheem DeVaughn, Angie Stone, Amel Larrieux, Donnell Jones and others.

With a sensual voice as soothing as a summer sunset and equally colorful songs, Michele’s soulful and jazzinfluenced debut, I AM, hits just the right notes. Featuring production help from Babyface, will.i.am, John Legend and Salaam Remi, the songs on her album reflect Michele’s life experiences (she wrote the lyrics to her entire album). “Your Joy” is a downtempo song about a child speaking to his or her father. The classic R&B groove, “Like A Dream” boasts an infectious melody with a sing-along chorus hook and “Good Girl” and “Best of Me” are tributes to independent women. “If I Have My Way” is a soulful ballad where Chrisette Michele boldly proclaims her desire for her beau when their relationship becomes official. Often likened to Alicia Keys, Corinne Bailey Rae and to an early Jill Scott, Michele’s goal is, as she puts it, “to create a seamless album that mixes soul and pop in a way that will have people coming back again and again.” With an opening slot for Musiq Soulchild’s upcoming US tour and the release of I AM, her dreams are finally becoming reality.