Blu Cantrell

Growing up alongside her five siblings in Providence, R.I., Blu Cantrell frequently accompanied her mother to jazz engagements, where she absorbed the performances from an early age. This exposure crystallized her ambitions, prompting her to pursue vocal auditions and showcase her dynamic alto at local talent shows. During a 2000 trip to Atlanta she presented her demo to A&R executive Tab and producer C. Stewart (aka Tricky) at RedZone Entertainment. Their immediate enthusiasm led to studio opportunities for the emerging vocalist, who contributed backing vocals for Gerald Levert, Faith Evans, Puff Daddy, and Aaron Hall. At the same time she laid down tracks destined for her debut album. After L.A. Reid, then CEO and president of Arista Records, heard the song “Till I’m Gone,” he offered Cantrell a contract. Prior to the album’s arrival, her single “Hit ’Em Up Style (Oops!)” climbed to number two on the Hot 100, generating enough attention to secure national-television appearances. The resulting full-length, 2001’s So Blu, entered the Top Ten of the album charts. Although her follow-up, 2003’s Bittersweet, achieved more modest chart placement, it earned Cantrell a Grammy nomination for best R&B album.