The bar for R&B artists has lowered dramatically, with the emergence of auto-tune, super-producers and hot choreography, which is why Chrisette Michelle is such a breath of fresh air. The New York native broke the mold in 2006 when Sean ‘Jay Z’ Carter featured her on his hit single “Lost One” from his Kingdom Come album. Since then, Chrisette Michelle has worked with artists such as The Game, NeYo, The Roots, Nas, Ghostface Killah and DC’s own Wale.
Chrisette’s unique blend of R&B flare with jazz infused riffs led to the success of her 2007 debut album I AM. Two years later, a little edgier, and showing much more vulnerability, Chrisette is back with the release of her sophomore album Epiphany. My Mood Is Music caught up with the sultry singer between tour dates as she shared her experience with a bad break-up, her father’ struggle with cancer, and adding fashion diva to her growing list of accolades.
MMIM: First off, congrats on the new album.
Chrisette Michelle: Thank you!
MMIM: This is your sophomore album, how does it feel?
Chrisette Michelle: Great! I’m really excited to share the new music with everybody. It feels kind of like it did the first time though, you know just waiting to see what happens, what’s next.
MMIM: I see. Now it’s titled Epiphany, and the title track is about an epiphany from a relationship standpoint, is that a personal experience?
Chrisette Michelle: Yeah, definitely. I think everyone’s been through a break-up once or twice. I know I have. And it’s about coming to the point where you realize that this is just ridiculous. I have been calling that moment an epiphany.
MMIM: Is writing from personal experiences harder than writing someone else’s experience, or vice versa?
Chrisette Michelle: When you write about anything as an artist you want to be able to identify with the lyrics, because you always want to be true to yourself first. But this album being about an emotional experience is definitely easier than a song like “Your Joy,” which is about a happier time in retrospect.
MMIM: What’s the hardest song you’ve written?
Chrisette Michelle: “Your Joy” was actually really tough, but after I wrote it; because my dad was diagnosed with Cancer. So to perform it was literally a very emotional experience, even to this day. So MANY times at shows people request that song, and they have no idea what they’re asking for.
MMIM:I’m sorry to hear that.
Chrisette Michelle: It’s alright.
MMIM: Would you like to write for other artists?
Chrisette Michelle: Definitely! The girls who can sing big ballads, like Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia and people like that.
MMIM: Okay. Speaking of other artists, I noticed that you have a love for the DC music scene, having worked with Raheem DeVaughn, Wale and really embracing the whole go-go sound, where’d that come from?
Chrisette Michelle: When I got to the Jimmy Fallon show that afternoon [Chrisette Michelle was a guest on Jimmy Fallon's late night show on May 22, 2009], and they played [Epiphany] regularly, I was like there’s no way I will be on the show with The Roots and not flip this go-go style. I love working with The Roots; they are amazing. And I really wanted to be someone to embrace the DC music culture because I think that culture is incredible. Also, when I come to DC I get a lot of love, so I just want to give it back.
MMIM: That’s what’s up. Do you classify yourself as an artist, like R&B or Neo-Soul? I know a lot of times labels and/or fans try to put you in a box.
Chrisette Michelle: Oh, I’m a slave to no genre. I don’t mind what box people put me in, as long as you go pick it up. [Laughs] Some people don’t make it to a “box,” you know?
MMIM: If you could go back to let’s say the 70s and live the life of one famous singer, who would it be?
Chrisette Michelle: Probably Diana Ross. She just embodied such beauty to me. I love Dorothy Dandridge and Ella [Fitzgerald]. I would love to be Ella, especially with my love of theatre.
MMIM: Nice! You ever think about Broadway, you have the perfect voice for theatre?
Chrisette Michelle: Definitely. I went to school and studied vocal performance, so there were a lot of theatre performances. It’s something I would love to get into; I’m just so busy right now. Like, currently I tour about 300 days out of the year. But it’s something I want to do, for sure.
MMIM: Looking forward to that. Now I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but you’re becoming a fashion icon. How does that feel?
Chrisette Michelle: It’s so weird to me. You’re not the first person to say that to me. The way that I dress is a part of who I am as a person. In elementary school I used to be stuck on what I wore. I mean, I still am, but you don’t get to showcase who you are in the very beginning in this business, because you’re not really seen. But now that I’m more out there, people are seeing a little bit more of my style. I mean I have rack and racks of shoes and clothes. I love shopping. I love fashion.
MMIM: Now I was listening to one of your previous interviews your interviews and you touched on the fact that you have ADHD. Tell me more about that
Chrisette Michelle: Ahhh yes. My mom studied psychology so it was very easy for her to diagnose me and my little brother. I just remember her taking me to get a test done when I was younger and mid-way through the test I was like, just stop because I know what you’re going to say. The lady was like “Yes.” It was frustrating at first. I didn’t want to hear it, but two years ago I finally went and had someone confirm that yes, I do in fact have ADHD.
MMIM: How does that affect you?
Chrisette Michelle: Really, I feel like if my passion didn’t require creativity and being pulled in a million different directions that it would be difficult. I don’t think you can have ADHD and do something that doesn’t allow you to do multiple things at once.
MMIM: I can see that. Do you have OCD too, because I’ve heard stories about your spic and span tour bus?
Chrisette Michelle: No I don’t [have OCD], but my tour bus is impeccably clean. You won’t find any empty pizza boxes or smelly socks lying around. I mean you have to live there for weeks at a time, you know?
MMIM: [Laughs] I understand. I know you’re touring with Anthony Hamilton and Musiq Soulchild this summer. How do you think their tour buses are?
Chrisette Michelle: Anthony [Hamilton] will probably have a clean tour bus. He eats green food and drinks green juices. He wears crisp Abercrombie and Fitch shirts, and is just always put together well. I’m not so sure about Musiq though. I get the sense that he may not be as neat. I’ll have to let you know.
MMIM: Please do. Tell me, what does Chrisette Michelle want out of 2009?
Chrisette Michelle: Hmmm. For my music, I just need for this album to be a platform for what’s next for me. There’s so much I want to say and do that I haven’t done yet, so I’m ready to move forward, and the third album will speak volumes.
And as far as my personal life; I just want to keep up my friendship and family relationships, because those are the most important. They keep me grounded. And my fans, I love my fans. I’m an Internet girl. I spend so much time on MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. I really adore interacting with my fans. They keep me laughing, and I don’t take that for granted.
May 27, 2009 at 9:44 pm
This was a great interview. After reading I don’t have any questions because you addressed them all. As a reader and fan, I hate walking away with more questions or feeling like something was answered correctly. I also like how you addressed industry specific issues like writing for other artists and hardest songs to sing. It helps us remember that artists are human not just singing robots.
May 28, 2009 at 1:15 am
Good interview….big things popping…great artist..beautiful too…first time I saw her perform was with Nas on “Can’t Forget About You”(Unforgettable) on the Pepsi Smash live performances they have on Yahoo Music…she looks like the homegirl you went to school with…cute and thick…but she don’t got to be all naked…kind of classy yet down to Earth..like Mary J Blige meets Jill Scott…sexy legs too…I wish her well…good to see her come back again…
May 28, 2009 at 2:42 am
She sounds dope on that Roots/Wale track! I like the open ended questions here like “how does it feel?”. This gives me a good feel for her personality! She is super talented and I hope she holds a perpetual spot in music!
May 28, 2009 at 11:12 am
Lovely interview!
May 28, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Excellent Interview!!!! I met her at her listening session @ Jin prior to Epiphany being released. She was sooo down to earth! I’m hoping to land my interview with her soon!
Keep up the great work ladies!