(fan video!) Me'shell NdegeOcello Andromeda & the Milky Way

Michelle Lynn Johnson (born August 29, 1968), better known as Me'shell Ndegéocello, is a German-born American singer, songwriter, rapper, bassist, and multi-instrumentalist. She has been hailed in the music press as a redeemer of soul music. Her music incorporates funk, soul, hip hop, reggae, R&B, rock, and jazz. She has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards.

Early life
Ndegeocello was born in Berlin to army lieutenant and saxophonist father Jacques Johnson and her mother, Helen. She was raised in Washington, D.C.. In early press releases from Maverick Records her birth year was mistakenly listed as 1969. The 1968 birth date has been confirmed through a previous manager/lifelong friend.

Meshell Ndegeocello is pronounced MEE-shell n-deh-GAY-o-chel-o. Early pressings of Plantation Lullabies were stickered with the instructions. The correct spelling of her stage name at this time is Meshell Ndegeocello, without apostrophes or any unusual capitalizations.[1] Although named Michelle Lynn Johnson at birth, Ndegeocello has had numerous name changes. She adopted the surname Ndegeocello, which means "free like a bird", while still in her teens. Some outlets also state her birth name as "Mary Johnson".[2]


[edit] Career rise
Ndegeocello honed her skills on the D.C. go-go circuit in the late 1980s, and unsuccessfully tried out for Living Colour's bassist position, vacated in 1992 by Muzz Skillings. Going solo, she was the first artist signed 1993 to Maverick Records/Sire Records with her debut, Plantation Lullabies. This recording presented a distinctly androgynous persona.

Ndegeocello is bisexual, and was a former long time lover of writer Rebecca Walker, but the relationship ended in 2003. She sang background vocals on the song "I'd Rather be Your Lover" by Madonna, on her album Bedtime Stories.

Her biggest hit is a duet with John Cougar Mellencamp, a cover version of Van Morrison's "Wild Night", which reached #3 on the Billboard charts. Her only other Billboard Hot 100 hit besides "Wild Night" has been "If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)", which peaked at #73 in 1994. She had a Dance #1 in 1996 called "Who Is He (and What Is He To You?)" as well as Dance Top 20 hits with "Earth", "Leviticus: Faggot", "Stay" and the aforementioned "...Boyfriend".

Her music has been featured in a number of film soundtracks including How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Batman and Robin, and Down In the Delta. She has appeared on recordings by Basement Jaxx, Indigo Girls, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and The Rolling Stones' 1997 album Bridges to Babylon, playing bass on the song "Saint Of Me". She can also be seen in the documentary movie Standing in the Shadows of Motown, singing The Miracles' "You've Really Got A Hold On Me". In the late 1990s she toured with Lilith Fair.


[edit] Discography
Plantation Lullabies (Maverick) -- 1993
Peace Beyond Passion (Maverick) -- 1996
Bitter (Maverick) -- 1999
Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape (Maverick) -- 2002
Comfort Woman (Maverick) -- 2003
The Spirit Music Jamia: Dance of the Infidel (Shanachie) -- 2005
The Article 3 EP (EmArcy) -- 2006
The World Has Made Me the Man of My Dreams (Kuzcek Records) -- 2007 (more) (less)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Meshell
• Ndegeocello
• Andromeda
• &
• the
• Milky
• Way

[Biprov]

'Comfort Woman' is one of the most sensual albums of this decade.

[kudostoallnamestaken]

I could listen to this all day.

[scrollhectic]

this song is so sexy

[MrSeminole66]

She is the female version of Prince. She can hold her on on any instrument, like Prince, she can "sing". Her voice is beautiful. I've seen play keyboards outside of her being not one of, but the best( not only "female",) bassist that I've seen in a while. I do remember the girl from "Taste of Honey" She was pretty good, also. She couldn't touch Michelle, though.

[MrSeminole66]

I think 1 of the biggest problems is the fact that ppl can't get past the appearance, the bass playing, the bi thing, and her "talking" in her songs. They don't understand that beyond all of that, SHE'S A REALLY GREAT SINGER!!!!!!!! She can really sing!!!!!!!!!!!! Listen to her voice!!!!!!!!!!! I would put her up against Beyonce, Chrisette Michelle, whoever. THE GIRL CAN BLOW. That's just not her style. She doesn't do songs that accentuate her voice. She just sings what she feels. I love her.

[MrSeminole66]

I also love "Mary Magdalene" just like this song- really deep!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for having these songs on here, and thank you, the people who are commenting on this. It's nice to have good feedback.

[MrSeminole66]

I also love "Mary Magdalene" just like this song- really deep!!!!!!!!!!!

[MrSeminole66]

This, by far is my favorite song from her, amongst many others. "Take me down to your river, I want to get free with you" WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MrSeminole66]

Wow!!!!!! I'm loving this. moontunes1912, I couldn't agree with you more. The sensual lyrics with references to religion tied in. The only one who does it better or at least as good is PRINCE!!!!! One of her other songs, Adam (just the title let's you know what she's on) "Give me what I want" Damn!!!! Automatikman365, One of my favorite quotes is, "you live alone in a crowded bed".

[MrSeminole66]

This is by far my favorite of hers. People don't even know what she's talking about. She is the female version of Prince.

[BigOldMrKnish]

i know meshell ndegeocello is completely unto herself as an artist but this song has a lot of sade elements in it. this is extremely sexxxy...

[LADEELV]

I love this here