Description
Bassist, rapper and vocalist Me'shell Ndegeocello (pronounced Mee-shell N-deh-gay-o-chel-o) chose her name, which she says means "free like a bird" in Swahilli, when she was 17. Given her ability to distinguish herself from the normal stereotypes, it turned out to be a rather apt choice. Credited for having "sparked the neo-soul movement," her music, for which she has received 10 Grammy award nominations over the course of her career, incorporates funk, soul, hip-hop, reggae, R&B, rock and jazz. In addition to her original songs, she's also gained attention for her covers from artists such as Van Morrison and Bill Withers.