New York, NY–For anyone who wanted to start off their weekend turnt up, Sony Hall was that place to be this Friday night as one of music’s most enduringly talented R&B/Neo-Soul artists came ready to bring the house all the way down.
The rich soulfulness of Ms. Angie Stone took the populous venue by storm causing exhilarated fans to bask in that silky smooth flavor as if driving in cruise control on a warm Sunday afternoon amidst a gentle breeze.
With more than four decades in the music industry, this multi platinum singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress possess an unwavering anointed gift that is not just given but earned.
Born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina Stone began her craft singing in her family church choir. Her late father, a member of the local gospel quartet, would take her to gospel performances molding her to embrace her aptness.
By the late 1970’s, Stone along with friends Cheryl “The Pearl” Cook and Gwendolyn “Blondie” Chisolm formed rap trio The Sequence becoming the first female HipHop group under historic label Sugar Hill Records after auditioning for then manager Sylvia Robinson backstage at a Sugar Hill Gang concert.
The group released hit track “Funk You Up” reaching number 15 on the US Top Black Singles chart along with “Monster Jam” featuring Spoonie Gee and “Funky Sound (Tear The Roof Off)” becoming a success tour though the venture fizzled once the genre evolved into more of a gritty street sound eventually disbanding the threesome.
Stone continued matriculating her creativity working with 80’s influential HipHop/Electro Funk group Mantronix later teaming up with R&B trio Vertical Hold as lead singer producing their 1993 debut album A Matter Of Time featuring smash single “Seems You’re Much Too Busy” and sophomore album “Head First” in 1995.
The following year, Stone expanded working with Gerry DeVeaux the cousin of multi platinum icon Lenny Kravitz forming the group Devox recording an album with the songstress as its feature while penning material for D’Angelo first two albums Brown Sugar, Voodoo, along with serving as background vocalist on Kravitz’s 1998 fifth release 5.
Developing her in path, she caught the attention of Arista Records giant Clive Davis by then AR manager Peter Edge who offered her a contract releasing her 1999 debut solo album Black Diamond receiving outstanding reviews reaching the top ten on Billboard’s US Top R&B/HipHop Albums chart going certified gold with its number one hit “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” earning two Soul Train Music Award nominations.
She later transitioned to Davis’s label J Records releasing her second album Mahogany Soul collaborating with fellow artists Raphael Saadiq, Swizz Beats, Alicia Keys, Eve and others gaining another gold certification with blazing singles “Wish I Didn’t Miss You“, and “Brotha” making it an international success.
The release would be known as Stone’s masterpiece moreover pivotal incentive behind the Neo-Soul movement branding her “Queen of Neo-Soul”. To date, “Brotha” continues to be the universal anthem for Black men as a resurgence all across the globe.
Stone would excel releasing seven other albums, Stone Love, The Art of Love & War, Unexpected paying homage to her late father, Rich Girl, Dream, Covered In Soul, Full Circle, The Very Best of Angie Stone, and newest project soon to be released in March of this year with fresh single “Kissing You” already creating buzz with a more of a sensual side to the artist rarely seen.
In addition to honing acting skills in countless film, TV shows, and theater the tenacious southern belle performed a fabulous array of tracks from signature smash “No More Rain”, renditions of iconic hits D’Angelo’s “Brown Sugar”, The Isley Brothers’ “For The Love Of You”, EWF’s “Reasons” together with a powerful version of “Brotha” bringing the crowd in euphoric unison.
For more on Angie Stone’s forthcoming ventures including an upcoming TV show and new music with fellow artist Musiq Soulchild, a foundation focusing on the elderly, along with a UK tour, visit: theangiestone.com for details.
