Michel'le
| Michel'le | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Michel'le Toussaint |
| Born |
December 5, 1970 Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Labels |
Kru-Cut Records Ruthless Records Death Row Records Priority Records |
| Associated acts | World Class Wreckin' Cru, N.W.A, Dr. Dre, The D.O.C., Suge Knight, Eazy-E, 2Pac, Tha Dogg Pound |
| Website | http://michellenow.com/ |
Michel'le Toussaint (/mɪʃɛˈleɪ/; born December 5, 1970 in South Central, Los Angeles, California), known mononymously as Michel'le, is an American R&B singer-songwriter known for her Billboard Top 10 hit "No More Lies" and R&B chart topper "Something In My Heart" along with a signature childlike speaking voice, which is a startling contrast to her strong singing vocals. Since its July 2013 premiere, Michel'le is currently one of six members on the hit TV One reality show R&B Divas: Los Angeles.
Career
Michel'le was originally a featured female vocalist on World Class Wreckin' Cru's 1987 single "Turn Off the Lights". The singer was called at the last minute to record vocals originally for Mona Lisa who could not make it to the studio. Michel'le was signed to Eazy-E's Ruthless Records. In 1989, she released her self-titled debut album, produced entirely by then-boyfriend Dr. Dre. The album contained "No More Lies" and the hit singles "Nicety" and "Something in My Heart." Michel'le sold 500,000 copies in the United States and was certified Gold on April 25, 1990.[1] During the Suge Knight shakedown incident, Eazy was forced to sign over Dr. Dre, The D.O.C. and Michel'le. In 1998, she released her second album Hung Jury on Death Row Records but it garnered little attention and no hit singles. As of 2013 worldwide sales for the album stood at 171,000 copies sold. She also provided vocals on 2Pac's song "Run Tha Streets" on his album, All Eyes On Me and Tha Dogg Pound's song "Let's Play House" on their debut Dogg Food. Following Dr. Dre's departure from Death Row Records, Michel'le and Dr. Dre parted ways. Her most recent music was a contribution to the Dysfunktional Family (soundtrack) in 2003. She has since confirmed through several media outlets that she's been working on new material and looking for a label for her third album. A trailer video for Michel'le's single "Freedom To Love" can be seen on YouTube [2] and also has a brand new single "It Still Hurts". Currently, as of 2014, Michel'le is part of the cast of TV One's R&B Divas LA.
Personal life
Michel'le and Dr. Dre have a son named Marcel (born 1991).[3] She has gone on record stating that Dr. Dre used to physically abuse her, including breaking her nose (which she had to have surgically corrected) and ribs.[4][5] She married Death Row Records CEO/Co-founder Suge Knight in 1999. The two divorced 8 years later.[6] They have a daughter Balei, who was born in 2002.[7]
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Peak chart positions[8] | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | |||
| 1989 | Michel'le
|
35 | 5 | |
| 1998 | Hung Jury
|
— | 56 | |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions[10] | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US R&B | |||
| 1989 | "No More Lies" | 7 | 2 | Michel'le |
| 1990 | "Nicety" | 29 | 5 | |
| "Keep Watchin'" | — | 65 | ||
| "Something in My Heart" | 31 | 2 | ||
| 1991 | "If?" | — | 22 | |
| 1998 | "Hang Tyme" | — | 66 | Hung Jury |
| "Can I Get a Witness?" | — | — | ||
| 2011 | "Freedom to Love" | — | 91 | non-album single |
| 2014 | "It Still Hurts" | — | — | non-album single |
References
- ↑ "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - August 15, 2015". RIAA. Retrieved 2015-08-15.
- ↑ "Michel'le Freedom To Love (Music Video Trailer)". YouTube. 2010-08-10. Retrieved 2015-08-15.
- ↑ Ro, Ronin (2007). Dr. Dre: The Biography. New York City, United States: Thunder's Mouth Press. ISBN 1-56025-921-3.
- ↑ "Michel'le Interview - The Breakfast Club Power 105.1 - 3/20/15".
- ↑ "Dr. Dre's Ex Michel'le Speaks on Being the 'Quiet Girlfriend Who Got Beat Up'".
- ↑ "Suge Knight's ex-wife Michel'le Toussant reveals suicide attempt".
- ↑ "Michel’le Demands Child Support From Suge Knight".
- ↑ "Billboard Album Chart Positions". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
- ↑ "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - August 15, 2015". RIAA. Retrieved 2015-08-15.
- ↑ "Artist Chart History - Michel'le". billboard.com. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
External links
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