Chrisette Michele

Black Actors - Female · Black Christmas Movies

Chrisette Michele Payne is an accomplished R&B and soul singer who has received critical acclaim for her music, including a Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. Her early interest in the arts was nurtured through gospel choir leadership in high school and further developed with a vocal performance degree from Five Towns College. She is also related to soul singer Raheem DeVaughn.

Michele’s music career took off with her debut album “I Am,” which featured hits like “If I Have My Way” and “Be OK.” Her voice graced several hip hop albums, including works by Jay-Z, Nas, and The Game. She has been recognized for her soulful contributions to the genre and has made guest appearances in television shows such as “Girlfriends.”

Her sophomore album “Epiphany” topped the Billboard 200 and included singles like “Blame It on Me.” She continued to show versatility in her third studio album, “Let Freedom Reign,” which mixed R&B with hip-hop and dance-pop influences. Michele has also released mixtapes that showcase her range and creativity, including “Love Thy Brother” and “Audrey Hepburn: An Audiovisual Presentation.”

Her fourth album “Better” continued her success, earning a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album, and she joined the cast of “R&B Divas LA” for its second season, although she later left the show. Michele continued to release music, such as “The Lyricist’s Opus” and her fifth studio album “Milestone,” under her own label Rich Hipster, demonstrating her independence and dedication to her craft. She also continued to engage with her audience through releases like the album “Out of Control” and the single “Wait.” Her ability to blend different musical styles and her commitment to her music has made her a respected figure in the R&B and soul music scene.