Today is Meshell Ndegeocello’s birthday. Born on August 29, 1968, she is a singer-songwriter, poet, and bassist. Her influences are far reaching and include funk, soul, jazz, hip hop, reggae and rock. I am happy to celebrate this avant-garde musician.
I was introduced to Meshell Ndegeocello through her album, Bitter. I was a college freshman and a radio dj at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Bitter was perfect for a twenty year old woman, I was finding my voice as a visual artist, playing music on KUMM, the college’s radio station, and acting through the theater department. I learned how to mourn through listening to Meshell and Ani DiFranco, shyly and not so shyly learning to express myself. Ndegecello’s “Fool of Me” explored emotions I hadn’t even had yet. The song, “Bitter,” was gorgeous with strings and Meshell’s vocals. There was nothing pop infused. no sugar coated melodies. It was mellow and emotional. It was new to me after the rowdy grunge I had been exploring in high school. And without really knowing it I was getting exposed to R&B and jazz influenced songs.
Hearing The Omnichord Real Book 25 years later, I thought, SHE’S BACK. I had lost track of Ndegeocello and here was this Jazz album with a drum machine and Meshell’s unwavering artistic voice. I am still digesting this album. And right on it’s heels, comes her genre busting album, No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin. This album is fragmentary, spoken word, and gospel.
As we celebrate Meshell’s birth, I am hoping for more, MORE ALBUMS. I hope she continues to make work that stretches where music lives. I hope she continues to not make a mainstream market pop song, but rather this art she is exploring. Thank you, Meshell Ndegeocello. Today, enjoy extra spins of her music in celebration.
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