Meshell Ndegeocello

Biography

Meshell Ndegeocello ( mish-EL ən-DAY-gay-oh-CHEL-oh; 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. 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, being nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, and winning three. She also has been credited for helping to "spark the neo-soul movement".

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×Free Like A Bird1997 · ReleaseSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Intro2:112Step Into The Projects3:243The Way5:594Medley: Deuteronomy, Niggerman, If That's Your Boyfriend, Sexy MF12:275Two Loney Hearts4:176Free My Mind5:307Outside Your Door10:038Shoot'n Up And Gett'n High8:11" 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.

Career

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. Going solo, she was one of the first artists to sign with Maverick Records, where she released her debut album, Plantation Lullabies×Plantation Lullabies19 October 1993 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Plantation Lullabies1:322I’m Diggin’ You (Like an Old Soul Record)4:253If That’s Your Boyfriend (He Wasn’t Last Night)4:314Shoot’n Up and Gett’n High4:145Dred Loc4:056Untitled1:417Step Into the Projects3:558Soul on Ice5:089Call Me4:4610Outside Your Door5:0811Picture Show4:3912Sweet Love4:5513Two Lonely Hearts (On the Subway)4:16. 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 appearance has been her self-penned "If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)×If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)1993 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night) (Album Version)4:342If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night) (Tiramisu Mix Extended)4:403If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night) (Mad Sex Mix Extended)4:374If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night) (The Gentrified 9 Mix)4:005If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night) (Existential Meditation on the Probability of You Kissing My Mind Mix)4:026If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night) (Li'l Freaky Mix)5:50", 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×Earth2002 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Earth (Ben Watt Lazy Dog Remix)8:442Earth (Album Version)5:153Earth (Instrumental)5:154Trust (Album Version)5:265The Teaching3:44", "Leviticus: Faggot×Leviticus: Faggot1996 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Leviticus: Faggot (Radio Edit)3:442Leviticus: Faggot (The Glee Club FM Edit)4:263Leviticus: Faggot (The Glee Club Vocal Mix)6:414Leviticus: Faggot (LP Version)6:08", "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 No. 1 on Billboard's Dance Club Play Chart and No. 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.
Her song "Tie One On" was chosen as the Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week on February 23, 2010.
In 2016, she provided the theme song, "Nova", for the Oprah Winfrey-produced show Queen Sugar. 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.
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. The series explores the relationship between the English rock band the Beatles and the black musicians that inspired them.
Ndegeocello joined the Blue Note label with the debut release of her 13th studio album The Omnichord Real Book×The Omnichord Real Book16 June 2023 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1Georgia Ave2:412An Invitation2:213Call the Tune1:554Good Good3:305Omnipuss2:526Clear Water4:367ASR7:388Gatsby4:219Towers3:3710Perceptions2:1611THA KING0:2712Virgo8:3513Burn Progression4:0114oneelevensixteen2:5115Vuma3:0416The 5th Dimension5:2617Hole in the Bucket5:3218Virgo 36:55 (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.

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 was born in 1989. He provides backing vocals along with his classmates (credited as The Aeroplane Kids) on the hit song "Aeroplane" by Red Hot Chili Peppers from their 1995 album One Hot Minute. He was classmates with bassist Flea's daughter.
Since 2005, Ndegeocello has been married to Alison Riley, with whom she has a second son.

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)
2001 - Lamb, What Sound: "Sweet" (Mercury)
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×Comet, Come to Me2 June 2014 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Friends4:562Tom2:553Good Day Bad4:184Forget My Name4:225And Yet It Moves0:306Comet, Come to Me4:407Continuous Performance3:228Shopping for Jazz2:489Conviction3:4110Folie a deux3:3711Choices3:5912Modern Time4:2813American Rhapsody2:47" (Warner Bros.)
2022 – Robert Glasper, Black Radio III: "Better Than I Imagined" with H.E.R. (Lomo Vista)
2024 – Robert Glasper, Let Go: "Breathing Underwater" (Lomo Vista)