You Oughta Know: Michel’le

It’s Black History Month, and if you’ve been checking out Rhino.com since February began, then you know that we’re making a concerted effort to utilize a number of our regular features as opportunities to spotlight black artists. Today, we decided that you oughta know Michel’le, an artist who ruled the R&B charts with the singles from her self-titled 1989 debut album, only to fall out of commercial favor through no fault of her own.

 Michel'le Denise Toussant was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, and it was due to this location that she found herself in the company of a number of up-and-coming musical artists. She made her recording debut as a featured female vocalist on the World Class Wreckin’ Cru’s single “Turn Off the Lights,” but it was being signed to Ruthless Records – Eazy-E’s label – that helped her breath through in a big way.

Produced by Dr. Dre, MICHEL’LE spawned hit singles like “Nicety” and “Something in My Heart,” but it was “No More Lies” that provided her with a breakthrough single and took her to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. Unfortunately, during the infamous Suge Knight shakedown, Ruthless Records owner Jerry Heller was forced to sign over Dre, The D.O.C., and Michel’le. While she did end up sharing a Grammy award for being part of the West Coast All-Stars’ “We’re All in the Same Gang” single, she wouldn’t release a sophomore LP until 1998, and HUNG JURY – the album in question – failed to match the success of its predecessor.

If you’ve never heard MICHEL’LE, you’re missing out on one of the great moments of late ‘80s / early ‘90s R&B. Give it a listen!