ARTIST

Blu Cantrell

It's difficult for new R&B singers to set themselves apart from the competition. But Providence, Rhode Island native Blu Cantrell didn't have that problem. While the storyline of her 2001 debut single, "Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!)," mirrored the relationship woes from her contemporaries, Blu's distinctive, swing jazz influenced vocal style added impressive edge to the racing hip-hop track compliments of TLC producer Dallas Austin, whose credits also include Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Boyz II Men.

Cantrell's mother was a jazz singer, so belting the sophisticated rifts came easy to the artist who released her debut album, So Blu, in 2001 on Arista Records. Cantrell's mother couldn't afford a babysitter, so she often took Cantrell and her...
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