She also evinced left-field ambitions, guesting on Vince Staples’ “Jump off the Roof” that same year and supporting Daniel Caesar on tour in 2017. In 2015 she released the RZA-produced “Emotional,” which drew flattering comparisons to Amy Winehouse. (In a characteristic stroke of high praise, he told her she had an “analog” voice.) After moving to the U.S., she signed with ARTium Recordings and appeared on labelmate Common’s 2014 album Nobody’s Smiling.
None other than Prince took note, mentoring her for three years before his death in 2016. Blige proud-hark back to a different era. Born to Iranian immigrant parents in Uppsala, Sweden, in 1987, she grew up listening to Lauryn Hill, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder, and both her songwriting and singing-the statuesque singer is possessed of a husky alto that would make Mary J. Snoh Aalegra is the global face of contemporary R&B, a singer-songwriter who personifies the genre’s cross-cultural appeal.
