Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell Ndegeocello
Ndegeocello performing in 2016
Background information
Birth name	Michelle Lynn Johnson
Also known as	Meshell Suhaila Bashir-Shakur Me'Shell Ndegéocello
Born	(1968-08-29) August 29, 1968 (age 56) Berlin, Germany
Origin	Washington, D.C., United States
Genres	Funk soul neo soul jazz hip hop reggae rock progressive soul[1]
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, spoken word artist, musician
Instrument(s)	Vocals, bass, keyboards, drums, guitar
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Maverick/Reprise/Warner Bros, Shanachie, EmArcy, Decca/Universal, Mercer Street/Downtown, Naïve, Blue Note
Website	www.meshell.com

Meshell Ndegeocello (/mɪˈʃɛl ənˌdeɪɡeɪoʊˈtʃɛloʊ/ mish-EL ən-DAY-gay-oh-CHEL-oh;^[2] born Michelle Lynn Johnson on August 29, 1968) is an American singer-songwriter, poet, and bassist. She has gone by the name Meshell Suhaila Bashir-Shakur which is used as a writing credit on some of her mid-career work.^[3] Her music incorporates a wide variety of influences, including funk, soul, jazz, hip hop, reggae and rock. She has received significant critical acclaim throughout her career,^[4][5] being nominated for eleven Grammy Awards, and winning two.^[6] She also has been credited for helping to "spark the neo-soul movement".^[7]

Biography

Ndegeocello was born Michelle Lynn Johnson in West Berlin, Germany, to US Army Sergeant Major and saxophonist father Jacques Johnson and health care worker mother Helen. She was raised in Washington, D.C., where she attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Oxon Hill High School.

Ndegeocello adopted her surname, which she says means "free like a bird" in Swahili. Early pressings of Plantation Lullabies were affixed with stickers to help pronounce her name. The spelling has changed in the hands of record labels a few times during her career; the correct spelling of her stage name as of 2001 is Meshell Ndegeocello.^[8]

Career

In 2016 at Cosmopolite Scene in Oslo

Ndegeocello honed her skills on the D.C. go-go circuit in the late 1980s with the bands Prophecy, Little Benny and the Masters, and Rare Essence.^[9] Going solo, she was one of the first artists to sign with Maverick Records, where she released her debut album, Plantation Lullabies. This recording presented a distinctly androgynous persona.

Her biggest hit is a duet with John Mellencamp, a cover version of Van Morrison's "Wild Night", which reached No. 3 on the Billboard charts. Her only other Billboard Hot 100 hit besides "Wild Night" has been her self-penned "If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)", which peaked at No. 73 in 1994. Also in 1994, Ndegeocello collaborated with Herbie Hancock on "Nocturnal Sunshine," a track for the Red Hot Organization's compilation album, Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool. The album, meant to raise awareness and funds in support of the AIDS epidemic in relation to the African American community, was heralded as "Album of the Year" by Time magazine.

She had a No. 1 dance hit in 1996 with a Bill Withers cover song called "Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?" (briefly featured in the film Jerry Maguire) as well as Dance Top 20 hits with "Earth", "Leviticus: Faggot", "Stay" and the aforementioned "If That's Your Boyfriend.. Last Night)". Ndegeocello played bass on the song "I'd Rather be Your Lover" for Madonna on her album Bedtime Stories. Ndegeocello was also tapped, at the last minute, to perform spoken word on the same song. This came after Madonna and producers decided to remove Tupac Shakur's rap (which he did while he and Madonna were dating in 1994), after he had criminal charges filed against him. Ndegeocello also performed spoken word on Chaka Khan's single "Never Miss the Water", from the album Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan, Vol. 1, released in 1996. The song reached #1 on Billboard's Dance Club Play Chart and #36 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Chart.

Her music has been featured in a number of film soundtracks including How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Lost & Delirious, Batman & Robin, Love Jones, Love & Basketball, Talk to Me, Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls, The Best Man, Higher Learning, Down in the Delta, The Hurricane, Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom, Soul Men, and Biker Boyz.

She has appeared on recordings by Basement Jaxx, Indigo Girls, Scritti Politti, and The Blind Boys of Alabama. On The Rolling Stones' 1997 album Bridges to Babylon she plays bass on the song "Saint of Me". On Alanis Morissette's 2002 album Under Rug Swept, she plays bass on the songs "So Unsexy" and "You Owe Me Nothing in Return". Also that year, she appeared on Gov’t Mule’s record The Deep End, Volume 2, playing on a cover of The Staple Singers’ song "Hammer and Nails". And in 2009, she appeared on Zap Mama's album ReCreation, playing bass on the song "African Diamond".

She can also be seen in the documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown, singing The Miracles' "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" and The Temptations' "Cloud Nine". In the late 1990s, she toured with Lilith Fair. She also did a remake of the song "Two Doors Down" on the 2003 release Just Because I'm a Woman: Songs of Dolly Parton.

Ndegeocello was also a judge for The 2nd, 12th, 13 and the 2015 14th Annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.^[10]

Her song "Tie One On" was chosen as the Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week on February 23, 2010.^[11][12]

In 2016, she provided the theme song, "Nova", for the Oprah Winfrey-produced show Queen Sugar.^[13] She also collaborated with French-Cuban duo Ibeyi in the song "Transmission/Michaelion" for the album Ash reciting a poem by Frida Kahlo.

In December 2016, the world premiere of Ndegeocello's Can I Get a Witness? The Gospel of James Baldwin, a new theatrical music and art work, was held in Harlem, New York.^[14]

In June 2021, The Beatles Channel on Sirius XM Radio began broadcasting A Shot of Rhythm and Blues: Exploring The Beatles and Black Music, a four-part series hosted by Ndegeocello.^[15][16][17] The series explores the relationship between the English rock band the Beatles and the black musicians that inspired them.^[15][16][17]

Ndegeocello joined the Blue Note label with the debut release of her 13th studio album The Omnichord Real Book (2023). The title refers to a set of lead sheets from songs from funk, soul, gospel and more influenced by her father as if a compilation of standards like a real book in jazz repertoire.^[18]

Activism

In 2002, Ndegeocello collaborated with Yerba Buena on a track featuring Ron Black for the Red Hot Organization's tribute album to Fela Kuti, Red Hot and Riot. Proceeds from the album went to various AIDS charities, per the Red Hot Organization's mission.

In June 2010, she contributed a cover of U2's "40" to the Enough Project and Downtown Records' Raise Hope for Congo compilation. Proceeds from the compilation fund efforts to make the protection and empowerment of Congo's women a priority, as well as inspire individuals around the world to raise their voice for peace in Congo.

In 2010, Ndegeocello contributed to the essay anthology It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living, edited by Dan Savage and Terry Miller in the vein of the It Gets Better Project.

Personal life

Ndegeocello is bisexual and previously had a relationship with feminist author Rebecca Walker. Ndegeocello's first son, Solomon, was born in 1989.^[19] Since 2005, she has been married to Alison Riley, with whom she has a second son.^[20]

Awards and nominations

Award	Year	Nominee(s)	Category	Result	Ref.
Billboard Music Video Awards	1994	"If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)"	Best R&B/Urban Clip New Artist	Won	[21]
Cash Box Year-End Awards	1994	Herself	Urban Singles: Top Rap Female Artist	Nominated	[22]
			Urban Singles: Top New Rap Female Artist	Nominated
		"Wild Night"	Top Pop Single	Nominated
GLAAD Media Awards	1997	"Leviticus: Faggot"	Outstanding Music Song	Won	[23]
	2000	Bitter	Outstanding Music Artist	Nominated	[24]
	2003	Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape		Nominated	[25]
	2004	Comfort Woman		Nominated	[26]
Grammy Awards	1995	Plantation Lullabies	Best R&B Album	Nominated	[27]
		"If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)"	Best R&B Song	Nominated
			Best Female R&B Vocal Performance	Nominated
		"Wild Night" (with John Mellencamp)	Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals	Nominated
	1997	Peace Beyond Passion	Best R&B Album	Nominated
		"Never Miss the Water" (with Chaka Khan)	Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals	Nominated
	2003	Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape	Best Contemporary R&B Album	Nominated
	2006	The Spirit Music Jamia: Dance of the Infidel	Best Contemporary Jazz Album	Nominated
	2008	"Fantasy"	Best Urban/Alternative Performance	Nominated
	2019	Ventriloquism	Best Urban Contemporary Album	Nominated
	2021	"Better Than I Imagined"[28]	Best R&B Song	Won
	2024	The Omnichord Real Book	Best Alternative Jazz Album	Won	[29]
MTV Video Music Awards	1994	"If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)"	Best Female Video	Nominated	[30]
			Best New Artist	Nominated
Soul Train Music Awards	1995	Plantation Lullabies	Best R&B/Soul Album – Female	Nominated	[31]
	1997	Peace Beyond Passion		Nominated	[32]

Discography

Albums

Year	Album	Chart positions
		US [33]	US R&B [34]	US Jazz [35]	AUS [36]	BEL [37]	FRA [38]	SWI [39]	UK [40]
1993	Plantation Lullabies	166	35	—	100	—	—	—	—
1996	Peace Beyond Passion	63	15	—	30	—	—	46	100
1999	Bitter	105	40	—	—	—	—	—	—
2002	Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape	67	21	—	—	—	—	—	—
2003	Comfort Woman	150	43	—	—	—	—	—	—
2005	The Spirit Music Jamia: Dance of the Infidel	—	—	9	—	—	127	—	—
2007	The World Has Made Me the Man of My Dreams	186	60	—	—	—	92	—	—
2009	Devil's Halo	185	64	—	—	—	—	—	—
2011	Weather	—	37	—	—	—	—	—	—
2012	Pour une Âme Souveraine: A Dedication to Nina Simone	—	46	—	—	190	117	—	—
2014	Comet, Come to Me	161	22	—	—	194	—	—	—
2018	Ventriloquism	—	—	—	—	86	—	62	—
2023	The Omnichord Real Book	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2024	No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin	—	—	—	—	—	—	67	—

Singles

Year	Title	Chart positions					Album
		US [41]	US R&B [42]	US Dance [43]	AUS [36]	UK [40]
1993	"Dred Loc"	—	86	—	—	—	Plantation Lullabies
	"If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)"	73	20	23	79	74
	"Outside Your Door"	113	41	—	—	—
1994	"Call Me"	—	—	—	—	—
	"Wild Night" (with John Mellencamp)	3	—	—	18	34	Dance Naked (John Mellencamp)
1996	"Who Is He and What Is He to You"	—	34	1	—	80	Peace Beyond Passion
	"Leviticus: Faggot"	—	—	15	—	—
	"Never Miss the Water" (with Chaka Khan)	102	36	1	—	59	non-album single
1997	"Stay"	—	67	15	—	—	Peace Beyond Passion
1999	"Grace"	—	—	—	—	—	Bitter
2002	"Pocketbook" (featuring Missy Elliott, Tweet and Redman)	—	116	—	—	—	Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape
	"Earth"	—	—	29	—	—
2006	"The Article 3" (EP)	—	—	—	—	—	Non-album singles
	"Exit Music – Songs with Raido Heads EP 2"	—	—	—	—	—
2007	"Lovely Lovely"	—	—	—	—	—	The World Has Made Me the Man of My Dreams
2014	"Conviction"	—	—	—	—	—	Comet, Come to Me
2018	"Tender Love"	—	—	—	—	—	Ventriloquism
	"Sometimes It Snows in April"	—	—	—	—	—
	"Waterfalls	—	—	—	—	—
2019	"True Vine" (featuring Justin Hicks and Kenita Miller)	—	—	—	—	—
2023	"Virgo"	—	—	—	—	—	The Omnichord Real Book
	"Vuma" (featuring Thandiswa and Joel Ross)	—	—	—	—	—
	"The 5th Dimension" (featuring The HawtPlates)	—	—	—	—	—
	"Clear Water" (featuring Deantoni Parks, Jeff Parker, Sanford Biggers)	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Other appearances

• 1994 – Madonna, Bedtime Stories: "I'd Rather Be Your Lover" (Maverick/Sire/Warner Bros.)
• 1994 – Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool: "Nocturnal Sunshine" with Herbie Hancock
• 1995 – Higher Learning (soundtrack): "Soul Searchin' (I Wanna Know If It's Mine)" (Epic)
• 1995 – Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality: "For You" with Guru (Chrysalis)
• 1995 – White Man's Burden: "Time Has Come Today" (Chrysalis)
• 1995 – Panther (soundtrack): "Freedom (Theme)" (Mercury)
• 1997 – Love Jones (soundtrack): "Rush Over" with Marcus Miller (Columbia)
• 1997 – Money Talks (soundtrack): "The Teaching" (Arista)
• 1997 – Batman & Robin (soundtrack): "Poison Ivy" (Warner Bros.)
• 1997 – Queen Pen, My Melody: "Girlfriend" (Interscope)
• 1998 – How Stella Got Her Groove Back (soundtrack): "Let Me Have You" (Flyte Tyme/MCA)
• 1998 – Down in the Delta (soundtrack): "My Soul Don't Dream" (Virgin)
• 1999 – Scritti Politti, Anomie & Bonhomie: "Die Alone" (Virgin)
• 1999 – The Best Man (soundtrack): "Untitled" (Sony)
• 1999 – Eric Benét, A Day in the Life: "Ghetto Girl" (Warner Bros.)
• 2000 – Love & Basketball (soundtrack): "Fool of Me" (New Line)
• 2002 – Gov’t Mule, The Deep End, Volume 2: "Hammer & Nails" (Ato)
• 2003 – The Blind Boys of Alabama, Go Tell It on the Mountain: "Oh Come All Ye Faithful", vocals and piano (Real World)
• 2005 – Joshua Redman, Momentum: "Greasy G", bass (Nonesuch)
• 2007 – Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur: "Imagine" by John Lennon (Warner Bros.)
• 2007 – Talk to Me (soundtrack): "Compared to What" with Terence Blanchard (Atlantic)
• 2012 – Robert Glasper Experiment, Black Radio: "The Consequences of Jealousy"
• 2014 – Jason Moran, All Rise: A Joyful Elegy for Fats Waller: producer with Don Was, and vocals (Blue Note)
• 2020 – Pat Metheny, From This Place: "From This Place" (Nonesuch)
• 2022 – Antonio Sanchez, SHIFT (Bad Hombre Vol. II): "Comet, Come to Me" (Warner Bros.)
• 2022 – Robert Glasper, Black Radio III: "Better Than I Imagined" with H.E.R. (Lomo Vista)

References

1. Green, Tony (March 2002). "Joi: Star Kity's Revenge (Universal)". Spin. p. 129. Retrieved January 23, 2021 – via Google Books.
2. Meshell Ndegeocello on "First Look" with Don Was of Blue Note Records. Blue Note Records. June 16, 2023. Event occurs at 00:00. Retrieved July 18, 2023 – via YouTube.
3. Layman, Will. "Me'Shell Ndegeocello: The Spirit Music Jamia: Dance of the Infidels < PopMatters". Popmatters.com. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
4. Lecaro, Lena (October 24, 2002). "Head, heart and soul". Los Angeles Times. pp. E–12. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
5. "Grammy Nominations For J J Cale, Bettye LaVette and Meshell Ndegeocello – Just Announced". News, December 2007. The Rosebud Agency. December 6, 2007. Archived from the original on December 26, 2008. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
6. "Meshell Ndegeocello to Perform at 'You Rock My Soul' GMHC Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall on November 11th". NY Rock. August 14, 2002. Archived from the original on April 8, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
7. Yarbrough, Kenya (August 9, 2002). "Me'Shell Ndegeocello: One Tough "Cookie"". EURweb. Rabercom Enterprises. Archived from the original on April 7, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
8. "FreeMyHeart.com". FreeMyHeart.com. March 3, 2001. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
9. Wiltz, Teresa (June 19, 2005). "Meshell Ndegeocello Breaks Step With Pop". The Washington Post. pp. N01.
10. "Past Judges". Independent Music Awards. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
11. Heringer. "Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week – Meshell Ndegeocello – Tie One On". Mark-heringer.com. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
12. Heringer. "Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week list". Mark-heringer.com. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
13. "Queen Sugar Soundtrack". What-song.com. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
14. "Harlem Stage to present the world premiere of Meshell Ndegeocello's 'Can I Get a Witness? The Gospel of James Baldwin,' December 7–11". The Stage Review. November 29, 2016.
15. PR Newswire (June 1, 2021). "Celebrate Black Music Month on SiriusXM, Pandora, and Stitcher with Exclusive Music Channels, Streaming Stations, and an Original Podcast". Associated Press. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
16. ""A Shot of Rhythm and Blues: Exploring The Beatles and Black Music" on The Beatles Channel". TheBeatles.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
17. "Explore the connection between The Beatles & Black music during a new SiriusXM series". Sirius XM. June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
18. "Album: Meshell Ndegeocello – The Omnichord Real Book". Theartsdesk.com. June 12, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
19. Zwerin, Mike (February 23, 1994). "Me'Shell - Debut on Madonna Label - NYTimes.com". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
20. DiGuglielmo, Joey (November 10, 2011). "Meshell's magic". Washington Blade. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
21. "Billboard". Books.google.com. November 19, 1994.
22. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1994/CB-1994-12-31.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
23. https://web.archive.org/web/20030729105533/http://www.qrd.org/qrd/orgs/GLAAD/general.information/media.awards-1997 ^{[bare URL]}
24. "GLAAD noms announced". Variety.com. January 18, 2000.
25. "Playbill News: 14th Annual GLAAD Media Award Winners Include the Goat and Zanna, Don't!". Archived from the original on May 4, 2003.
26. "15th Annual GLAAD Media Award Nominees Include Avenue Q, Taboo and Angels in America; Cherry Jones a Special Honoree". Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
27. "Me'shell Ndegeocello | Artist". Grammy.com.
28. From Robert Glasper's Black Radio III featuring H.E.R. alongside Ndegeocello.
29. "Meshell Ndegeocello Wins The First-Ever GRAMMY For Best Alternative Jazz Album At The 2024 GRAMMYs". Grammy.com.
30. "MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) (1994)". IMDb.
31. "Soul Train Awards (1995)". IMDb.
32. "Soul Train Awards (1997)". IMDb.
33. "Meshell Ndegeocello: US". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
34. "Meshell Ndegeocello: US R&B". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
35. "Meshell Ndegeocello: US Jazz". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
36. Peaks in Australia:
    • Peace Beyond Passion and "Wild Night": "Me'shell Ndegéocello – Peace Beyond Passion (Album)". Australiancharts.com. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
    • Plantation Lullabies and "If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)": Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 199.
37. "Meshell Ndegeocello: Belgium". Ultratop. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
38. "Discographie Meshell Ndegeocello". Lescharts.com (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
39. "Discographie Meshell Ndegeocello". Swiss Hitparade. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
40. "Meshell Ndegeocello: UK". Official Charts Company. February 12, 1994. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
41. "Meshell Ndegeocello: US". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
42. "Meshell Ndegeocello: US R&B". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
43. "Meshell Ndegeocello: US Dance". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2021.

Further reading

• Morris, Wesley (August 1, 2024). "Meshell Ndegeocello Could Have Had Stardom but Chose Music Instead". The New York Times. Retrieved August 12, 2024.

External links

• Official website
• Meshell Ndegeocello at AllMusic
• Meshell Ndegeocello discography at Discogs
• Meshell Ndegeocello discography at MusicBrainz
• Extensive audio interview on The Sound of Young America